Writing Chapter Books in 8 Simple Steps for Beginners

Writing a chapter book sounds pretty fun until you sit down and actually try to do it. Then suddenly, you’re left wondering: What age kids should I write for? How long should my chapters even be? And how do you whip up characters that aren’t totally boring?

Don’t worry—I’ve got your back! Keep reading and you’ll find practical steps that’ll help you pick your audience, craft enjoyable chapters, create lovable characters, and sprinkle in the perfect amount of art. Plus, I’ll show you a few simple tricks on how to keep it clear, relatable, and possibly turn one good story into a whole series.

Ready to become the next favorite author on that kid’s bookshelf? Let’s jump right in!

Step 1: Choose the Right Age Group for Your Chapter Book

First things first, figure out exactly who you’re writing your chapter book for; commonly, these range from kids ages 6-9 (early readers) to 10-12 (middle-grade readers).

If you’re aiming for the younger crowd (ages 6-9), stick to simpler themes, shorter chapters, and plenty of illustrations throughout. For older readers (ages 9-12), you can handle slightly more complex plots, emotional content, and fewer illustrations.

To identify the best age group for your story, consider testing your ideas with groups of kids or even asking friends or relatives with children to give you feedback on your early chapters.

And if you’re feeling stuck, checking out some fun funny writing prompts for kids can provide inspiration and give you an idea of what appeals to your target age group.

Step 2: Decide on Word Count and Appropriate Chapter Length

Once you’ve got your ideal age bracket down, the next step is deciding how long your chapter book will be. Typically, chapter books for early readers (ages 6-9) land between 4,000 and 10,000 words, while middle-grade reads (ages 9-12) often clock in around 20,000 to 40,000 words.

Keeping your chapters short is crucial to help kids feel accomplished—and to keep them turning pages. For younger readers, aim for chapters around 500-700 words each, or approximately 3-5 pages. Older middle graders can comfortably handle chapters averaging 1,200-2,000 words.

If you’re not sure about your word count or chapter length just yet, try browsing some successful children’s chapter books similar to your style. See how their chapters and pacing match up, and try to strike a similar balance.

Step 3: Create a Simple Plot with Relatable Themes

Creating a great chapter book starts with crafting a simple-but-engaging plot focused on relatable emotions and universal themes. Remember, your audience hasn’t yet developed patience for overly complicated storylines or subplots.

Think about themes such as friendship, overcoming fears, accepting differences, or dealing with bullies—these strike a chord with younger audiences who are navigating their own feelings and challenges.

One helpful trick is to brainstorm realistic fiction writing prompts or scenarios you’ve seen kids wrestle with in real-life settings, such as school, playground conflicts, or sibling relationships. You can also use resources such as a list of realistic fiction prompts to spark initial ideas or enhance your current plot line.

Step 4: Develop Engaging Main Characters that Kids Will Enjoy

Creating compelling characters is probably the most important thing you can do to capture a young reader’s attention.

Try giving your main character an unforgettable quirk or habit—maybe they always wear mismatched socks or can’t resist chocolate donuts.

Kids connect strongly to characters who reflect their own lives or struggles, so show those characters dealing with recognizable challenges, like feeling shy on the first day at a new school or having trouble fitting in.

Think about popular characters in kids’ books like Junie B. Jones, who’s funny and mischievous but also deeply relatable, or Dog Man, whose playful adventure and comic quality resonate with younger readers.

Give your main characters clear goals and show them gradually growing or changing to reach them—this gives your story meaning and teaches useful lessons without being preachy.

If you’re stuck, try brainstorming some fresh ideas using these character writing prompts suitable for young readers.

Step 5: Write in Simple Language with Short Sentences

You might be writing the next great chapter book, but remember, kids this age are still figuring out reading basics.

Opt for shorter sentences, typically between 5-10 words, and prioritize everyday words kids already know.

Avoid complicated vocabulary at all costs—it’s better to say “big dog” instead of “enormous canine” here—because the goal is clarity first and foremost.

Here’s a helpful trick: read your sentences out loud and imagine whether a seven-year-old would easily understand you.

Don’t shy away from humor—kids love funny phrases and amusing scenarios, plus it helps them keep reading enthusiastically.

Keep descriptions short, sweet, and vivid, packing lots of action; instead of long narratives, rely on engaging dialogue to show characters’ personalities and emotions.

Step 6: Include Illustrations to Support Your Story

Pictures aren’t just nice additions—they’re essential for this age group, breaking up dense pages of text and helping younger readers stay engaged.

Good illustrations match your story’s lighthearted tone and help kids, especially early readers, understand what’s happening in the plot visually.

Plan on including illustrations every couple of pages—for chapter books aimed at 6-9 year-olds, a good rule might be one illustration every three or four pages.

If you don’t illustrate yourself, that’s totally okay; partner with an illustrator whose style complements your storytelling.

Before sending your manuscript to publishers or editors, include notes about suggested illustrations or scenes you imagine being highlighted visually—you don’t have to have these illustrations finished up front.

If you’re curious, you might learn more about the process of collaborating with artists when you research how to publish a graphic novel successfully.

Step 7: Consider Writing a Chapter Book Series

If one book is working well, readers often become attached to the characters and want more—so seriously think about expanding into a series.

Popular kids’ series like “Magic Tree House,” “Captain Underpants,” or “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” created loyal fans who eagerly grab the next installment as soon as it’s available.

When considering a series, make sure your characters have room to grow and experience new scenarios and adventures that can sustain excitement and interest across multiple books.

It’s helpful to roughly outline your next few books up front; mapping out story arcs, settings, new challenges, and character developments will make producing future books easier later.

And here’s a little tip—keep track of your characters, places, and events carefully, because kids are sharp and notice inconsistencies right away!

Step 8: Submit Your Chapter Book to Publishers or Editors

Now, once you’ve polished your manuscript until it’s shiny, it’s time to reach out and send your work into the big, wide world of children’s publishing.

Spend effort researching publishers carefully—check out their websites and ensure they publish books in your style and targeted age group, because pitching randomly won’t help you.

You might consider learning how to get a book published without an agent if you’re looking to navigate this journey independently.

Remember, children’s and YA fiction book sales slightly dropped by 0.3% in 2024, according to recent book publishing data, highlighting a slightly competitive market—meaning you need a standout hook and polished submission to attract attention.

Submitting directly to publishers typically means preparing a concise query letter summarizing your book, a brief author bio highlighting relevant experience or awards, and a sample chapter or two—always follow the publisher’s submission guidelines exactly, or they’ll pass over your manuscript without a second glance.

If you prefer greater control over the process, self-publishing is also a viable option worth exploring, but it takes extra effort on your part to professionally edit, illustrate, and market the book.

Either way, stay persistent and keep improving–getting published rarely happens overnight, but patience and steady effort nearly always pay off eventually.

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