I help working moms self-publish their first profitable children's book.
- 120,000+ copies sold
- $1.7 million in book sales
- 8 years publishing
$300 for a 1-hour session. 5-session package $1,200 (save $300).
Katrina Liu is a San Francisco based children's book self-publishing coach and consultant. She coaches picture book authors online, one-on-one, on everything from the manuscript and finding an illustrator to Amazon KDP, IngramSpark print on demand, offset printing, Kickstarter, Amazon ads and the book launch. Sessions are $300.
Work smarter, not harder
I'm here to make publishing your book as efficient and stress-free as possible, so you can save your time and energy for the people who matter most.
The key difference
Plenty of children's book coaches and publishing consultants will sell you their services without a track record of selling books themselves. If they can't make their own picture books successful, how can they help you?
I've sold over 120,000+ copies of my books, over $1.7 million in book sales, while working a full-time job. You get the exact system I use, not theory.
Why coach with me?
Ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers, including two Readers' Favorite award winners
Over $1.7 million in book sales across Amazon, my own store, wholesale and libraries
Retailers and library systems that have bought my books wholesale, from indie bookshops and gift shops to public libraries
Three funded campaigns and a Kickstarter "Project We Love" badge
Author Testimonials
Joan Bang
Mom and award-winning author of The Sea Otters Who Kept Trying
Mom's Choice Awards Gold winner
"Kat guided me through the process making my publishing journey less intimidating and more fun. She was not only patient but had a wealth of knowledge and saved me from making costly mistakes!"
Heatherann Rose
Mom, gardenpreneur and author of the Rose Sisters Garden series
Raised $8.5K on Kickstarter
"I was given so much more than I had hoped for! An overwhelming task of self-publishing was organized into a clear path. My final book wouldn't have been as perfect and flawless as it is now. She saved me from so much stress!"
Cathleen Garber (opens in a new tab)
Mom of 7 and author of Why Mama Needs a Break
Raised $6.3K on Kickstarter
"I hired Katrina for coaching, formatting and cover design. She answered all my really weird questions and she never made me feel stupid. She was there with me every step of the way. I don't think I would have been able to do the whole process if she wasn't there for me."
Angel Halo Chang (opens in a new tab)
Author of ABC Adobo Boba Chai
Raised over $16K on Kickstarter
"Katrina coached me through the steps I needed to launch my Kickstarter with an $8k goal, which raised over $16k! 201% funded with over 400 backers!"
How a session works
Book
Pick a single 1-hour session ($300) or a 5-session package ($1,200) and check out. I'll reach out to schedule.
Prep
Send me your manuscript, cover, links or questions ahead of time so we spend the hour on decisions, not background.
Talk, then act
One hour together on video chat, online from anywhere, followed by written notes with every link, tool and next step we covered. Plus my self-publishing checklist ($50 value).
I was in your shoes, and it was overwhelming
8 years ago I self-published my first children's book with no idea what I was doing. Determined to figure it out alone, I spent countless hours and made expensive mistakes. A coach would have saved me the headaches, but mostly the time and energy I'll never get back.
Getting to know Kat
Hi there! I'm Kat. I live in San Francisco and I'm a full-time working mom of three. I have an MBA and 16+ years in Silicon Valley as a product management leader in e-commerce and tech. I started my career as a lead web and print designer at a publishing company. My kids inspired me to create books where they could see themselves, and to amplify Asian American stories. I built all of this while working a full-time job, and you can too.
$47,320 raised on Kickstarter
Three funded campaigns, and the Kickstarter "Project We Love" badge.
I love BOBA! Funded in 26 hours
Goal $8,000, raised $25,793
A Gift for Popo Funded in 48 hours
Goal $8,500, raised $13,475
Dear Nanny
Goal $8,000, raised $8,052
Crowdfunding is one of the topics I coach most. My clients above raised $6K to $16K on their first campaigns.
What can I help you with?
- Picture book manuscript feedback and story brainstorming
- Book and cover critique
- Finding an illustrator, working with editors
- Amazon KDP and IngramSpark print on demand
- Offset printing and overseas logistics
- Book launch plan, Amazon SEO and Amazon ads
- Book marketing and Instagram content strategy
- Kickstarter crowdfunding
- Selling from your own website
- Selling on Amazon through FBA
- Selling wholesale to stores and libraries
- Software and systems to stay efficient
Free self-publishing checklist
Every session includes my downloadable self-publishing checklist and a curated list of the tools and resources I use. (a $50 value)
You're worth the investment
As a mom, you've got a lot on your plate. You've learned to be efficient everywhere else in life, so why not here?
Don't waste time you can't afford. I'll keep you accountable and stop you from making costly mistakes.
Don't publish an amateur book
Too many self-published books look self-published, and it gives the whole category a bad name. Writing a good story is a small fraction of what it takes. My goal is a book no one can tell is self-published, and a plan to launch it efficiently without breaking the bank. Contact me only if you're serious about publishing a profitable children's book.
Coaching clients only
Exclusive access to my offset printer, up to 40% off
Skip the months of researching printers and hoping you picked a trustworthy one. My overseas printing partner has 30+ years of experience and has printed millions of books, and my group-buying power gets my clients quotes up to 40% below other printers. As of June 2025, bulk printing is available to coaching clients only.
Self-publishing questions, answered
How much does it cost to self-publish a children's book?
It depends on your illustrator, page count, format, and whether you print on demand or do an offset print run. There is no single number, and guessing is how first-time authors overspend. In a session we build a realistic budget for your specific picture book.
How do I find an illustrator for a children's book?
Choosing the right illustrator, briefing them, pricing the work and protecting your rights is where most first books go wrong. I've hired and managed illustrators for 20+ titles and coach you through the whole process in a session.
Should I self-publish or go with a traditional publisher?
Traditional publishing means querying agents and waiting months or years for a yes, then giving up most of your royalties and control. Self-publishing lets you launch on your timeline, keep 100% of the rights and profit, and build a real business around your book. Hybrid and vanity publishers charge thousands upfront for a middle path. Which route fits you depends on your goals, and that is one of the first things we work out in a session.
Print on demand (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark) or bulk offset printing?
Choosing wrong, or switching at the wrong time, is one of the most expensive mistakes a self-published author can make. I've published 120,000+ copies through both and tell you which one your book is ready for, and when.
Do you work with authors outside San Francisco?
Yes. I've coached clients all over the world. Sessions are one-on-one video calls, and everything, including your notes and checklist, is delivered online, so it doesn't matter where you are.
What happens in a coaching session?
You send your manuscript, cover, links or questions ahead of time. We spend one hour on video chat making decisions, and afterwards you get written notes with every link, tool and next step, plus my self-publishing checklist. A single session is $300.
Do you coach authors on running a Kickstarter?
Yes, as a coach. You run the campaign, and I guide you on how to plan it. I've funded three Kickstarter campaigns for my own picture books, raising $47,320, and the authors I've coached have raised $6,000 to $16,000 on their first campaigns.
Do you coach on marketing after the book is out?
Yes. I teach you what has worked for my own books, from book launch planning, Amazon SEO and Amazon ads to Instagram content, selling wholesale and getting into libraries, so you can carry it out yourself with a clear plan.
Questions? Send me a message
Not quite ready to book yet? What can I answer for you?