# Hire a Picture Book Ghostwriter for Your Children’s Story > Hire a picture book ghostwriter: short, rhythmic stories made to be read aloud and illustrated. You approve every draft. Request a free quote today. Source: https://theauthorpublishing.com/ghostwriting-services/fiction/picture-book/ Publisher: The Author Publishing Last updated: 2026-10-22 --- A picture book ghostwriter at The Author Publishing turns your idea into a short story that works on the page and out loud. We keep the text tight, build in page turns and write in a voice that is yours, with your approval at each stage. You keep your rights, your royalties and your accounts. A picture book has very few words, so every one has to earn its place. That makes it deceptively hard to write, and many first-time authors find that a story which felt complete in their head needs reshaping to fit the format. This service is part of our [children’s book writing services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/ghostwriting-services/fiction/childrens-book/) and our [fiction ghostwriting services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/ghostwriting-services/fiction/). ## Picture book writing services: words that leave room for the pictures In a picture book the illustrations carry half the story, so the text should not describe what the art can show. Your ghostwriter writes a short, rhythmic text that reads well aloud, gives each page turn a small surprise and leaves space for the illustrator to add humour, detail and emotion that the words never mention. Most picture books run to 32 pages, and we shape the story to fit that structure. That means a clear opening, a problem that grows over a handful of spreads, a turning point and an ending that rewards a second reading. Picture book texts are usually well under 1,000 words, and we count every one. ## Picture book styles we write - **Rhyming stories.** Playful verse that children love to repeat, written only when rhyme serves the story. - **Prose stories.** Simple, musical language for stories that need a quieter voice. - **Concept books.** Alphabet, counting, colours and shapes, made fresh with a story or a character. - **Bedtime stories.** Soothing rhythm and calm endings that help children wind down. - **Stories with a gentle lesson.** Feelings, friendship and new experiences handled with warmth and humour. - **Board books.** Very short texts for babies and toddlers, built for tiny hands and short attention spans. ## Rhyming picture book writer or prose storyteller: choosing the right voice Rhyme can lift a story, but forced rhyme sinks it. Your ghostwriter tests the idea in both forms when it is unclear which suits it better, and recommends the stronger one. When rhyme is the right choice we keep the rhythm steady, the rhymes natural and the meaning clear, because children and parents notice a limp line. We also plan page turns and illustration notes. A good page turn creates a pause that makes the next picture land, and a good note tells the illustrator only what the words cannot. When the text is approved, we can match you with an illustrator through our [children’s book illustration service](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/childrens-book-illustration/) and take the finished book through [children’s book publishing](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/childrens-book-publishing/). ## How this service works, step by step 1. **Idea and audience brief.** You share your idea, your character and the age group. We agree the tone and whether the story suits rhyme or prose. 2. **Story shape and page plan.** We plan the story across 32 pages with page turns marked. You approve the plan before the text is written. 3. **Chapter outline.** Your writer builds a chapter-by-chapter outline. You approve it or ask for changes before drafting starts. 4. **Opening chapters.** You review the first chapters to confirm voice, pace and tone. Changes here shape the rest of the book. 5. **Drafting in sections.** You receive the manuscript in stages and give feedback as it develops, so there are no surprises at the end. 6. **Revision and handoff.** The finished manuscript goes through [professional editing](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-editing-services/) and on to [publishing](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/), with your notes and plan handed over to you. ## Who this service is for - First-time authors with a story idea but no experience of the format - Parents and grandparents creating a personal or family storybook - Teachers, therapists and charities making a story with a purpose - Authors who have a draft that is too long and need it shaped ## What affects the timeline and cost A picture book text is much shorter than a novel, so it usually takes less time. Quality still depends on revision, because short texts need many careful drafts. Your quote sets out the scope, the schedule and a fixed price before work starts. The main factors are: - Whether the text is in rhyme or prose - Whether you also need illustration, formatting and publishing - The number of books if you are planning a series - How quickly you review each draft and send feedback See our [packages and pricing](https://theauthorpublishing.com/pricing/) or ask for a free quote. We reply within 24 hours with a scope, a timeline and a fixed price. ## Your rights and what you receive You own the finished book. Your agreement sets out ownership and credit before writing starts, and the manuscript is published under your name. You receive every draft and outline, and nothing is published without your approval. Read more about [how our process works](https://theauthorpublishing.com/how-it-works/) or browse our [frequently asked questions](https://theauthorpublishing.com/faqs/). ## Questions about picture book writing ### How long should a picture book be? Most picture book texts are well under 1,000 words and many are far shorter. We shape the length to your story and your target age group. ### Can you write in rhyme? Yes, when rhyme suits the story. We will say honestly if prose would serve the idea better. ### Do you also find the illustrator? Yes. We can match you with an illustrator on our team, or you can bring your own. Illustration notes are included with the text. ### Can you turn a story I have already written into a picture book? Yes. We can edit and reshape your draft to fit the format, keeping your voice and your idea. ### Can the story be part of a series? Yes. We plan the character and the world so that each book works alone and a series can follow. ## Related services - [Children’s book writing](https://theauthorpublishing.com/ghostwriting-services/fiction/childrens-book/) - [Children’s book illustration](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/childrens-book-illustration/) - [Children’s book publishing](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/childrens-book-publishing/) - [Book formatting](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/book-formatting/) - [Book distribution](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-distribution/) ## Why authors work with us - You keep your rights, your royalties and your accounts - You receive a written scope and a fixed price before any work starts - You approve every file before it moves to the next step - One project manager keeps you informed at every stage