Comic Books & Short Stories
Write and draw your own comics or short stories, print them as booklets, and sell them.
- Ages
- 7–12
- Startup budget
- $92–$192
- Time per week
- About 3 hours
- Parent involvement
- Light
- Preparation
- Easy start
- Type
- Product
- Where to sell
- In person & online
- Time to start
- 2–3 weeks to write and draw
About this idea
Young authors and comic artists can become published writers with a stapler and a printer. Small printed booklets (sometimes called zines) are cheap to make and fun to buy.
It turns a love of stories into a real product, and teaches editing, layout and the thrill of seeing someone read your work.
A great fit for
- Kids who are always writing or drawing stories
- Comic and graphic novel fans
- A creative business with very low risk
What you’ll need
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Printer paper and colored cardstock | $10 |
| Printing or photocopying 20 copies | $15 |
| Long-reach stapler | $12 |
| Subtotal | $37 |
Assumes: Enough to print about 20 copies of one booklet. Assumes a home printer or a local copy shop.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Market table feePer event. Kids’ markets typically charge $10–50; some are free | $25 |
| TableclothA bright color makes the table stand out | $10 |
| Display stand or risersGives products height so customers notice them | $15 |
| Sign and price cards | $5 |
| Pop-up tentOptionalOnly for outdoor markets without shade. Borrowing one works too | $100 |
| Subtotal (without optional) | $55 |
Bring about $20 in small bills and coins for change. You get it back, so it isn’t counted as a cost. Selling to family and friends first? You can skip these until your first market.
Total to start selling at a market
$92$192 with optional extras
What parents do
Parent involvement: LightMostly buying supplies and getting to markets
- Help with printing or photocopying
- Take them to markets, book fairs or events
Your child: about 3 hours a week making, selling and planning once it’s up and running.
Step by step
Plan the story
Keep the first one short: 8 to 12 pages. Plan the beginning, middle and end, or sketch comic panels first.
Write and draw
Create the pages in black pen so they copy clearly. Add a cover in color.
Edit
Read it aloud, fix spelling and ask a family member for honest feedback.
Print and bind
Print or photocopy, fold the pages and staple along the spine.
Make a series
Number it “Issue #1.” A series gives readers a reason to come back.
Costs & pricing example
Cost to make one comic
$0.95
Example price
$4
Profit per comic
$3.05
How we worked out the cost of one comic
- Printing$0.75
- Cardstock cover$0.15
- Staples$0.05
If your child sells 25 comics at $4, that’s $100 in sales and about $76.25 profit after materials. The $92 startup cost, including a first market table, is earned back after about 31 comics.
A digital PDF version can also be sold through a parent-run shop.
These numbers are illustrative examples, not guaranteed earnings. Prices vary by supplier and location.
Where to sell
Book fairs and library events
Ask the organizer; young authors are often welcome.
Children’s markets
Pair it with bookmarks or stickers of your characters.
Family and friends
Your first loyal readers.
Skills your child will build
- Storytelling and writing
- Drawing and layout
- Editing
- Building a series
Common challenges
- Never finishing
- Try this: Set a page goal and a “publication date,” like a real author.
- Copies look faint
- Try this: Use black pen, not pencil, for anything that will be copied.
Safety & parent notes
- Use a first name or pen name on covers rather than a full name.
A note for parents
Treat publication day like a real book launch. Seeing their name on a cover, even a pen name, is a huge confidence boost for young writers.
More ideas like this
Arts & Creative
Handmade Bookmarks
Design colorful, laminated bookmarks with tassels: a low-cost first business for kids who love books and drawing.
- Ages 7–12
- $72–$172
- Easy start
Arts & Creative
Face Painting
Paint butterflies, tigers and superheroes at markets, parties and community events.
- Ages 9–12
- $113–$213
- Some prep
Arts & Creative
Personalized Greeting Cards
Hand-make birthday, holiday and thank-you cards, including custom orders with a customer’s name.
- Ages 7–12
- $77–$177
- Easy start