The Steps to Publishing Your Own Children's Book: Writing Your Story

Important Update Regarding Meeting Usage During Library Renovation

During 2026, we will be undergoing a renovation to better serve the people of Dearborn County. 

Due to the renovation, access to the Youth Services Department will be closed to the public during January and February. You will still be able to use the Ewbank Meeting Room throughout this closure, but our procedures for using the room have been modified:

  • Please enter the library via the High St. entrance. This entrance provides direct access to the Ewbank Meeting Room only. To access other areas of the library, you must use the Mary St. or Parking Lot entrances.
  • Once inside, please call our Adult Services Department at 812-537-2775 Ext. 1125. Let us know that you have arrived and provide your group's name. A staff member will come to unlock the room for your group.
  • If you need any assistance at any time during your meeting, please call 812-537-2775 Ext. 1125 and a staff member will come to help.
  • When your meeting has finished, please call 812-537-2775 Ext. 1125 again to let us know. Please leave your clipboard in the room. A staff member will come to lock the room and collect the clipboard. There is no need to wait for us.

We are excited to share our upgraded spaces with you once renovations are complete. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve your library.

Program Type:

Art, Writing

Age Group:

Teens, New Adult, Adults
  • Registration is required for this event.
  • Registration will close on January 6, 2026 @ 6:00pm.

Program Description

***Anyone attending a program in the Ewbank Room during the month of January will need to enter through the doors on High Street due to construction. Thank you for your patience while improvements are made to the library building.

Local, published children's author Susan Troutt and author/illustrator Emily Wetterich will help you through the steps of creating and publishing your own children's book! You can attend every session, or just the ones you need. You must register for every session you want to attend individually. 

Jan. 6: Writing Your Story: Do you have a story idea but don’t know how to take it to the next level?  This class will help you organize your ideas, develop your character, and set a path toward that book you’ve always wanted to write. 

Jan. 13: Illustrating Your Story: Do you have a story idea or manuscript, but aren’t sure how to get it illustrated? In this session, we will discuss different ways to illustrate your story and help you plan how to make it happen.

Jan. 20: Putting Your Book Together: This class offers ideas for formatting, layout, and text that help prepare your book for publication. We will introduce programs to do it yourself or help guide your search for a formatter.

Jan. 27: Get It Published: Once you have your book and illustrations, it is time to publish. This class will offer tips for types of publishing and suggestions for how to get your book out there.

   Emily Wetterich is an illustrator of over 15 children’s books and has written and published several others. As a mother of 3 and an avid collector of hobbies she has endless stories to tell and loves to share what she has learned with other passionate people!

Susan Troutt is a retired teacher and former Boone County Kentucky Teacher of the Year.  She is the author of ten children’s novels and a collection of short stories titled Ironically Short.  Her novel, Caleb and Shallow, was chosen by The New York Times as a Bookshelf Book to Watch.  She enjoys visiting schools for author visits and writing workshops.   

Register for this event