Self-publishing on Amazon KDP: a step-by-step guide
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) lets anyone publish an eBook, paperback or hardcover for free. Here is the whole process, from finished manuscript to live listing, in plain English.
Self-publishing gives you control over your book, your price and your royalties. KDP is the most popular place to start because it reaches Amazon customers worldwide and costs nothing to publish. You only pay printing costs when a print copy sells, and those are deducted from your royalty.
1. Prepare your manuscript
Before anything else, get your book professionally edited and proofread. Readers forgive a simple cover more easily than spelling mistakes and confusing chapters. Then decide which formats you want: eBook, paperback, hardcover, or all three.
2. Format the interior
- eBook: uses reflowable text, so it adapts to every screen. Upload an EPUB or a well-styled Word file, and check it in Kindle Previewer.
- Print: needs a fixed layout PDF at your chosen trim size, such as 6 x 9 inches, with proper margins, page numbers and chapter openers.
3. Design the cover
Your cover is your main advertisement. The eBook needs a front cover only. Print editions need a full wrap: back cover, spine and front, sized exactly for your page count and paper type. KDP’s cover calculator gives you the exact dimensions.
4. Sort out your ISBN
An eBook on KDP does not need an ISBN. For paperbacks and hardcovers you can use a free ISBN from KDP, or buy your own (from Bowker in the US) if you want to be listed as the publisher or sell the same edition elsewhere.
5. Create your listing
In your KDP account, add your book details. These decide how readers find you:
- Title and subtitle: clear, with a subtitle that explains the benefit for non-fiction.
- Description: a hook, what the reader gets, and who it is for.
- Keywords: up to seven phrases readers would type to find a book like yours.
- Categories: choose specific ones where your book can stand out.
KDP also asks whether your book contains AI-generated content, so answer that honestly.
6. Set your price and royalties
| Format | Royalty options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| eBook | 35% or 70% | 70% applies within set price ranges and markets; delivery costs apply |
| Paperback | 60% of list price, minus printing | On Amazon marketplaces |
| Hardcover | 60% of list price, minus printing | Printing costs are higher than paperback |
Check KDP’s help pages for the current rules in each market, as they can change. You can also enroll your eBook in KDP Select, which makes it exclusive to Amazon for 90 days in return for Kindle Unlimited reads and promotions.
7. Review, publish and launch
Order a printed proof copy and check it carefully before you publish. Once live, your book usually appears within a few days. Then the real work starts: tell your network, ask early readers for honest reviews, and consider Amazon ads once your listing is polished.
Want a wider reach? You can also distribute print books to bookstores and libraries through IngramSpark, and eBooks to Apple Books, Kobo and others, as long as you are not in KDP Select.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping professional editing. Readers notice errors quickly and mention them in reviews. Editing is the best money you will spend on your book.
- A cover that does not fit the genre. If your thriller looks like a cookbook, the right readers scroll past. Study your category before designing.
- Choosing broad categories. Very broad categories are crowded. More specific ones give your book a chance to be seen.
- Not ordering a proof copy. Margins, colors and spine text often look different in print. Always check a printed proof.
- Expecting sales without promotion. Publishing makes your book available. Readers still need to hear about it through your network, reviews and marketing.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost money to publish on KDP?
Publishing on KDP is free. Amazon deducts printing costs from your royalty when a print copy sells. You may choose to pay for editing, cover design, formatting or marketing.
How long does it take for my book to go live?
After you submit, Amazon reviews the book, which usually takes up to a few days. Print books can take a little longer to appear in all marketplaces.
Do I keep the rights to my book?
Yes. Publishing through KDP does not transfer your copyright. KDP Select asks for eBook exclusivity for 90-day periods, which you can choose not to renew.
Can I publish a book written with help from a ghostwriter?
Yes. Many published books are written with professional help. You hold the rights, your name goes on the cover, and you publish under your own account.
Want help publishing your book?
We handle editing, covers, formatting and publishing on KDP and beyond. Free 48-hour sample.
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