You've written your book. You've edited it, revised it, maybe cried over it a little. And now comes the question everyone asks: how do I actually get this thing onto Amazon? The answer is Amazon KDP — and this guide walks you through every single step, including all the frustrating errors nobody warns you about.
What is Amazon KDP?
Amazon KDP stands for Kindle Direct Publishing. It is Amazon's self-publishing platform that allows any author — beginner or experienced — to publish and sell eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books directly on Amazon without needing a traditional publisher.
The platform is completely free to use. Amazon earns money by taking a percentage of your royalties when a book sells. You keep the rest. This makes it one of the most accessible publishing options in the world today.
Amazon KDP reaches readers in over 100 countries. Your book can be available for sale globally within 24–72 hours of submitting it. No upfront cost, no inventory, no shipping headaches.
KDP supports two major product types: Kindle eBooks (digital format, readable on any device with the Kindle app) and Print-on-Demand books (paperback and hardcover, printed only when a customer orders one — meaning zero inventory cost for you).
"Self-publishing is not the easy route — it is the independent route. KDP gives you complete control over your book, your price, and your career."
— Kidillus Publishing TeamCreating Your KDP Account
Before anything else, you need a KDP account. If you already have an Amazon account (for shopping), you can use the same email to sign in at kdp.amazon.com. It will automatically link your existing Amazon account.
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Go to kdp.amazon.com
Open your browser and navigate to kdp.amazon.com. Click "Sign in" if you have an Amazon account, or "Sign up" to create a new one.
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Complete Your Author/Publisher Profile
Once logged in, KDP will ask you to complete your account information. This includes your full legal name (or pen name), address, and phone number. Fill this accurately — it affects your tax forms and payments.
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Fill in Your Tax Information
This is a step many new authors skip and regret later. Go to Account → Tax Information. KDP requires tax details before they pay you any royalties. For US citizens, you'll fill a W-9 form. For international authors, you'll complete a W-8BEN form. This helps Amazon determine if they need to withhold any taxes.
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Add Your Bank Account / Payment Method
Under Account → Getting Paid, add your bank account details so Amazon can transfer your royalties. Payments are made 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale occurred. The minimum threshold is usually $100 (or equivalent in your currency) for wire transfer.
Don't skip the tax information step. If you haven't filled your tax details, Amazon will withhold up to 30% of your royalties even after you've earned them. Complete this before you publish anything.
eBook vs Paperback vs Hardcover — Which Should You Choose?
KDP allows you to publish the same book in three different formats, each with its own setup, specifications, and royalty structure. You can publish in all three simultaneously.
| Format | Best For | Royalty Rate | File Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle eBook | Fiction, how-to guides, fast readers | 35% or 70% of list price | EPUB or DOCX |
| Paperback | All genres, gift books, textbooks | 60% of list price minus printing cost | PDF (interior + cover) |
| Hardcover | Premium editions, coffee table books | 60% of list price minus printing cost | PDF (interior + cover) |
Publish in all three formats. Your eBook will attract price-sensitive readers, while paperbacks and hardcovers appeal to readers who prefer physical books. It costs nothing extra to offer all three, and it maximises your potential earnings.
For the 70% eBook royalty rate, your book must be priced between $2.99 and $9.99 and available in all Amazon regions. Books priced below $2.99 or above $9.99 receive only 35% royalties.
Preparing Your Manuscript — The Right Way
This is where most first-time authors make mistakes. Uploading a poorly formatted manuscript leads to KDP rejection, ugly-looking books, and negative reviews from confused readers. Let's get this right from the beginning.
For Kindle eBooks
KDP accepts EPUB, DOCX (Microsoft Word), HTML, and MOBI files for eBooks. The recommended format is EPUB or a well-formatted DOCX. Here is what your Word document needs before upload:
- Use Heading 1 style for all chapter titles — this creates the eBook's clickable Table of Contents automatically
- Use standard, readable fonts like Georgia, Times New Roman, or Arial. Avoid decorative fonts — they may not render on all Kindle devices
- Remove all manual page breaks except before new chapters
- Use paragraph styles for body text, not manual spacing (no multiple enter keys for spacing)
- All images should be at least 300 DPI and embedded in the document
- Remove any headers, footers, and page numbers — Kindles manage these automatically
- Include a title page, copyright page, and table of contents at the beginning
For Paperback & Hardcover
For print books, you need a print-ready PDF. This is significantly more technical than an eBook. The PDF must have:
- Correct page size — choose your trim size first (e.g., 6×9 inches for standard novels, 8.5×11 for workbooks). Set your Word or InDesign document to this exact size before you start.
- Bleed of 0.125 inches (3mm) on all sides — this is extra space around the edge that gets cut off during printing. Any background colours or images that touch the edges must extend into the bleed area.
- Margins: At minimum 0.25 inches on outside edges. For inside/gutter margin: 0.375 inches for books under 150 pages, increasing to 0.875 inches for books with 700+ pages. Amazon provides a chart for this.
- All fonts embedded in the PDF. When saving from Word or InDesign, check "embed all fonts" option.
- Images at 300 DPI minimum. Low-resolution images will look blurry in print.
- Flatten transparency before saving — especially if you have overlapping design elements.
- Page count must be an even number — add a blank page at the end if needed.
Designing your manuscript in A4 size and then uploading it for a 6×9 book. The content will be scaled and look completely wrong. Always set your document to the exact trim size before you write or format anything.
KDP offers a free tool called Kindle Create (for eBooks) and a Word template download for print books. Go to KDP's Help section and search "manuscript templates" — they have ready-made Word templates for every trim size. Download the one matching your book size, paste your content in, and format from there.
Designing Your Book Cover — What KDP Requires
Your cover is your book's most important marketing tool. A bad cover will kill sales even for a great book. KDP has strict technical requirements for covers, and understanding them prevents hours of frustration.
eBook Cover Requirements
- File format: JPEG or TIFF
- Minimum size: 625 × 1000 pixels
- Ideal size: 1600 × 2560 pixels (KDP's recommended size)
- Aspect ratio must be 1:1.6 (width to height)
- Maximum file size: 50 MB
- Color mode: RGB (not CMYK — eBooks display in RGB)
Print Book Cover Requirements
Print covers are far more complex. The cover must be a single PDF that includes the front, spine, and back of the book. The spine width depends on your page count and paper type — KDP calculates this for you on the cover submission page.
- File format: PDF only
- Must include front cover, spine, and back cover in one file
- Bleed: 0.125 inches on all outer edges
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum for all images and elements
- Color mode: CMYK for print (very important — RGB colours shift when printed)
- All fonts must be embedded
- Do not place important text or logos in the bleed or safety zone
KDP has a free "Cover Calculator" and "Cover Creator" tool on their platform. The Cover Calculator gives you the exact dimensions (including spine width) for your specific book setup. Always use this before designing — spine width changes based on page count and paper type.
If your book is under 100 pages, Amazon will not allow text on the spine — it's simply too thin to print text legibly. Plan accordingly if your book is a short read or novelette.
Uploading Your Book to KDP — Step by Step
Now for the main event. Log in to KDP and click "Create a New Title". You'll see three options: Kindle eBook, Paperback, or Hardcover. Choose the format you want to start with. You can always come back and add the others. The upload process has three main sections:
Section 1: Book Details
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Book Title and Subtitle
Enter your title exactly as it appears on your cover. The subtitle is optional but helps with Amazon search. Keep it natural and relevant — stuffing keywords in the title violates Amazon's terms and can get your book removed.
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Series Information
If this is part of a series, enter the series name and volume number. This helps Amazon group your books together and lets readers discover the entire series easily.
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Edition Number
Leave blank for a first edition. Only fill this if you're publishing a revised or updated edition of a previously published book.
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Author Name
Enter your name or pen name. You can also add co-authors and contributors (illustrators, editors) with their roles. This appears on your Amazon book page.
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Book Description
This is your sales copy — treat it seriously. Write a compelling description of 100–300 words that hooks readers and makes them want to buy. You can use basic HTML formatting:
<b>for bold,<br>for line breaks. Avoid generic phrases like "This book is about…" — open with a hook. -
Publishing Rights
Select "I own the copyright and I hold the necessary publishing rights" if this is your original work. Select the public domain option only if you're republishing a work whose copyright has expired.
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Keywords
You get 7 keyword fields. These are incredibly important for discoverability. Think about how readers search for books like yours. Use phrases, not single words — for example, "cozy mystery set in small town" is far better than just "mystery". Do keyword research using the Amazon search bar's autocomplete feature.
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Categories (BISAC)
Choose 2 categories. These determine where Amazon places your book in their store. Choose the most specific subcategory possible — it's easier to rank #1 in a niche category than #5000 in a broad one. After publishing, you can request up to 10 categories by emailing KDP support.
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Age and Grade Range
Only required for children's books. Leave blank for adult fiction or non-fiction.
Section 2: Content Upload
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ISBN (for Print Books)
KDP will assign a free ISBN to your paperback/hardcover. However, this ISBN is tied to KDP and cannot be transferred to other retailers. If you plan to sell through other stores (IngramSpark, etc.), purchase your own ISBN from Bowker (USA) or Nielsen (UK). For eBooks, no ISBN is required on KDP.
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Upload Your Manuscript File
Click "Upload Manuscript" and select your formatted DOCX, EPUB, or PDF file. KDP will process the file — this usually takes 1–5 minutes. Once processed, click "Preview Book" to see exactly how it will look.
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Review the Previewer — Don't Skip This
The previewer is critical. Check every single page. Look for missing fonts, scrambled text, images in wrong positions, broken chapter headings, and any page that looks off. KDP's previewer shows you what readers will see. Fix any issues in your source file and re-upload before proceeding.
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Upload Your Cover
For eBooks, upload your JPEG cover file. For print books, upload your full print-ready PDF cover. If you use KDP's Cover Creator tool, you design it directly in the browser — useful but limited in design options.
Section 3: Rights & Pricing
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Select Territories
Choose "Worldwide rights — all territories" unless you've sold your rights in certain countries to other publishers. Most self-publishers should select worldwide.
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Set Your Royalty & Price
For eBooks: Choose 35% or 70% royalty, then set your price. For print: enter your list price and KDP will calculate your royalty after subtracting the printing cost. You cannot earn less than $0 — KDP won't let you price below the printing cost.
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Kindle MatchBook and Lending
These optional features let customers who buy the paperback get the eBook at a discount, and allow Kindle Unlimited subscribers to borrow your eBook. Kindle Unlimited (KDP Select) requires your eBook to be exclusive to Amazon for 90 days but gives you access to a large pool of reader payments.
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Click "Publish Your Kindle eBook"
Once you're satisfied with everything, click the big publish button. Your book enters Amazon's review queue and will typically go live in 24–72 hours. You'll receive an email confirmation when it's live.
Pricing Strategy & Royalties Explained
Getting your price right is part art, part science. Price too high and you lose readers. Price too low and you undervalue your work (and earn less per sale). Here's a practical framework:
| Book Type | Typical Price Range | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Short Story / Novella eBook | $0.99 – $2.99 | Low barrier to entry, build audience |
| Novel eBook (fiction) | $2.99 – $5.99 | Sweet spot for 70% royalty and impulse buys |
| Non-fiction / How-To eBook | $4.99 – $9.99 | Value-based pricing, readers pay for knowledge |
| Paperback Novel | $9.99 – $14.99 | Cover printing cost + reasonable royalty |
| Non-fiction Paperback | $14.99 – $24.99 | Higher perceived value for reference books |
| Hardcover | $22.99 – $39.99 | Premium edition, collector's value |
Many authors launch their eBook at $0.99 for the first week to generate early reviews and sales velocity (which improves Amazon ranking), then raise the price to their permanent price. This is a proven strategy — especially for a debut book.
To calculate your print book royalty, use this formula: Royalty = (List Price × 0.60) − Printing Cost. KDP shows you the printing cost on the pricing page. For example, a 300-page 6×9 paperback costs roughly $4.45 to print. If you price it at $14.99, your royalty is ($14.99 × 0.60) − $4.45 = $4.54 per sale.
Common KDP Errors & Exactly How to Fix Them
This is the section nobody writes about thoroughly — but it's where authors spend most of their time. Here are the most common KDP errors and their solutions:
Problem: KDP rejected your manuscript file.
Fix: This usually means your PDF has non-embedded fonts, transparent elements, or incorrect page size. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, go to File → Properties → Fonts and check that all fonts say "Embedded Subset". Re-export your PDF with "Embed all fonts" checked. Also flatten any transparency under Print Production tools.
Problem: Your cover was rejected or shows quality warnings.
Fix: Check that your cover dimensions match the required size. For eBooks, the ideal is 1600×2560 pixels at 72–300 DPI saved as JPEG. For print covers, use the KDP Cover Calculator to get exact dimensions, ensure bleed is included (0.125 inches on outer edges), and export at 300 DPI CMYK PDF.
Problem: Your print book PDF doesn't have proper bleed settings.
Fix: When exporting your PDF from InDesign or Word, you must explicitly add bleed. In InDesign, go to File → Export → Marks and Bleed → check "Use Document Bleed Settings" with 0.125 inches on all sides. In Word, set your page size 0.25 inches larger than your trim size (e.g., for a 6×9 book, set page to 6.25×9.25 inches).
Problem: Images in your book are below 300 DPI and will appear blurry in print.
Fix: Replace all images with high-resolution versions (300 DPI minimum). Never take an image from a website for print use — web images are typically 72 DPI. If you don't have high-res originals, the image must be removed or replaced. Re-scanning physical photos at 600 DPI is one option.
Problem: Your book was flagged during Amazon's content review.
Fix: Amazon reviews books for copyright violations, misleading content, adult content in general categories, and offensive material. If rejected, you'll receive an email specifying the reason. Common fixes: ensure your cover doesn't contain any Amazon or third-party trademarks, make sure your book description matches the actual content, and if the book has adult content, mark it as such during upload. Appeal through KDP's contact form if you believe it was incorrectly rejected.
Problem: Your Kindle eBook doesn't have a navigable Table of Contents.
Fix: In your Word document, make sure all chapter headings use the "Heading 1" style (not manually bold/large text). Then go to References → Table of Contents and insert an automatic TOC. KDP uses the heading styles to build the Kindle's interactive table of contents. Without this, readers can't navigate between chapters.
Problem: Your book's spine is too thin to include text.
Fix: Amazon requires a minimum of 79 pages for a spine with text. If your book is shorter, design the spine without text. Alternatively, increase your page count by adjusting font size slightly, adding more front matter (acknowledgements, author bio, etc.), or increasing leading/line spacing within KDP's acceptable range.
Problem: Book is listed as "live" in KDP but can't be found in Amazon search.
Fix: This is normal. It can take 24–72 hours after going live for a new book to appear in Amazon's search index. Additionally, new books start with no sales rank, so they won't appear in category listings immediately. After your first few sales, the book will start ranking. Search directly by title + author name to confirm it's live.
If you face an error not listed here or get a rejection without a clear reason, contact KDP support directly through your account. Go to kdp.amazon.com → Help → Contact Us. They typically respond within 24–48 hours and are genuinely helpful for technical issues.
The Review Process & Going Live
After you click publish, your book enters Amazon's review queue. Here's what happens behind the scenes and what to expect:
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Automated Check (Immediate)
Amazon's system instantly checks your file for technical issues — format compatibility, file corruption, missing elements. If there's a technical problem, you'll usually know within minutes.
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Content Review (24–72 hours)
Human reviewers at Amazon check your book for content policy compliance. They look at your cover, description, categories, and a portion of the content. This is where most delays happen. During peak times (holidays, etc.) it can take up to 5 days.
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Approval or Rejection Email
You'll receive an email. If approved, your book is live and you'll get a link to your Amazon product page. If rejected, the email will explain why. Read it carefully — the reason is usually specific and actionable.
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Indexing (24–72 hours after going live)
After your book goes live, it takes an additional 1–3 days to be fully indexed in Amazon's search engine. Your book exists on Amazon during this time, but it may not appear in keyword searches yet.
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Making Changes After Publishing
You can update your book at any time — manuscript, cover, description, price, and keywords. Changes to pricing and descriptions update within 24 hours. File changes (new manuscript or cover) go through review again and take 24–72 hours. Updated files don't automatically push to existing eBook purchasers — customers keep their original version unless they manually request an update.
Before your print book goes on sale, order a proof copy (physical author copy) to review the actual printed result. This costs only the printing price plus shipping. Many formatting issues that look fine on screen become obvious when you hold the physical book. It's always worth doing this before pushing your book to the public.
Marketing Your Book — Getting Real Readers
Publishing is just the beginning. A book sitting on Amazon with zero reviews and zero marketing will sell zero copies. Here's what actually moves the needle for self-published authors:
Get Your First Reviews
Reviews are the social proof that convinces strangers to buy. Amazon takes them seriously in their algorithm. Aim for at least 10 reviews in your first month.
- Send Advance Review Copies (ARCs) to beta readers and writing community friends before launch
- Ask people directly — friends, family, colleagues who've read your book. Don't be shy; they want to support you.
- Join genre-specific Facebook groups and offer free review copies in exchange for honest reviews
- Use services like NetGalley or BookSirens to reach professional book reviewers
- Never buy fake reviews — Amazon actively detects and removes them, and accounts have been banned
Amazon Advertising (AMS)
Amazon has its own pay-per-click advertising platform called Amazon Ads (formerly AMS). You can run ads that appear in search results and on competitors' book pages. Start small — $5/day — and test different keyword targets. Track your ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sale). Ideally, keep it under 30% for profitable campaigns.
KDP Select Promotions
If your eBook is enrolled in KDP Select (exclusive to Amazon), you get access to two powerful promotional tools:
- Kindle Countdown Deal: Temporarily discount your book while showing the countdown timer. Creates urgency and boosts visibility.
- Free Book Promotion: Make your eBook free for up to 5 days per 90-day enrollment period. This is excellent for building readership and email lists — some authors get thousands of downloads in a single promotion.
Social Media & Author Platform
Build your presence on the platforms where your readers live. Fiction readers congregate on Booktok (TikTok) and Bookstagram (Instagram). Non-fiction readers often follow authors on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and YouTube. Consistency matters more than frequency — one quality post per week beats seven rushed ones.
The single most effective marketing strategy for self-published authors is simple: write more books. Each new book you publish increases visibility for your entire backlist. Authors with 5+ books consistently outperform those with one, even if that one is excellent. Build your catalogue — it's your most valuable long-term asset.
Also consider building an email list from day one. Use a free tool like Mailchimp or ConvertKit and offer a reader magnet (a free short story, bonus chapter, or resource) in exchange for email signups. Your email list is the one asset you own completely — no algorithm can take it away from you.
The Complete KDP Publishing Checklist
Before you hit publish, run through this final checklist:
- KDP account created, tax information filled, bank account added
- Manuscript formatted correctly for the chosen format (eBook/print)
- All fonts embedded in your PDF
- Print PDF includes 0.125" bleed on all outer edges
- Cover meets size and DPI requirements
- Book title matches the cover exactly
- Description is compelling and error-free
- 7 keyword fields filled with relevant search phrases
- 2 categories selected (most specific subcategories)
- Manuscript previewed in KDP's previewer and approved
- Pricing set with royalty rate checked
- For print: proof copy ordered and reviewed before setting live
- Marketing plan ready for launch week
Need Help with Formatting or Cover Design?
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