You can choose illustration, book design, or a full-service publishing package—whatever best supports your story.

   •   🌱 Sprouting Acorn: Book design and formatting (no illustrations)
   •   🌿 Growing Oak: Illustration only
 •   🌳 Mighty Oak: Full-service creation (illustration + design + prep)

If you already have illustrations and just need help with layout and publishing, The Sprouting Acorn is likely your best fit. If you have a manuscript and need illustrations only, go with The Growing Oak. If you're starting from scratch and want a full-service experience from sketches to final files, The Mighty Oak is for you. Still unsure? Reach out here and I’ll help you choose the right path for your project.

I specialize in picture books for children ages 3–8, but are open to other formats like early readers, educational books, and select middle-grade projects if they align with our style and values.

It depends on the package:

   •   Sprouting Acorn: 3–5 weeks

   •   Growing Oak: 6–12 weeks

   •   Mighty Oak: 10–16 weeks

These timelines vary depending on the scope of your project, our current availability, and your response times. Click here for more details.

Here’s a general flow:

      1.    Discovery call or inquiry

      2.    Contract + deposit

      3.    Planning phase (brief, characters, thumbnails)

      4.    Sketches + revisions

      5.    Final illustrations

      6.    Layout + print-ready files

      7.    Optional launch materials

We will guide you through every step with kindness, clarity, and plenty of communication.

How does payment work?

A non-refundable deposit is required to book your project. Payment is typically split into 2–4 milestone installments, depending on the package.

We accept payment via bank e-transfer or PayPal. Payment plans are available for larger projects.

Yes — through The Painted Acorn Press, I offer independent publishing support for children’s book authors.

When you book the Mighty Oak package, I can help you:

• Prepare your book for print and distribution

• Register ISBNs (optional or guided)

• Format files for platforms like IngramSpark, KDP, or your preferred printer

• Add polished back matter (Author Notes, Dedication, etc.)

• Create simple promotional materials to support your launch

You’ll retain full ownership of your book and all its content.
While The Painted Acorn Press operates as an independent publisher, I don’t manage royalties, distribution, or act as your publishing administrator unless specifically arranged.

My role is to support, design, and equip you to self-publish beautifully and professionally — either under your name or under The Painted Acorn Press, depending on what fits your goals best.

Yes! The Painted Acorn is a proud member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), CANSCAIP(the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators, and Performers), and the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC).

These memberships help ensure that I stay aligned with best practices in independent publishing, children’s literature, and illustration—both in Canada and internationally.

I'm here to walk you through the process—or help you choose the package that fits your story best.