How to publish a book on Amazon KDP, step by step

Before you open KDP

Have these ready, and the forms take an hour instead of a week:

• A finished, edited manuscript, converted to EPUB for the Kindle edition and, if you want a paperback, a print PDF interior at your trim size
• An ebook cover as a JPEG (portrait, about 2,560 by 1,600 pixels) and, for the paperback, a full-wrap print cover PDF with spine and bleed
• A title, subtitle if any, your author name exactly as it should appear, and a book description of a few paragraphs
• Up to seven keywords or phrases readers might search, and two categories
• A decision on the ISBN: KDP supplies a free one for print, or bring your own. See Do you need an ISBN?

Step 1: the account

Sign up at kdp.amazon.com with your Amazon account, then complete the author, payment, and tax sections. Nothing publishes until those are done, and payments cannot flow without them.

Step 2: create the Kindle edition

1. Details. Language, title, author, description, keywords, categories, and whether you own the rights. Choose whether the book is in a series.
2. Content. Upload the EPUB as the manuscript and the JPEG as the cover. Decide on digital rights management. Run the online previewer and page through it on the phone and tablet views; this is where dropped chapters and broken scene breaks show up.
3. Pricing. Pick territories, a list price, and a royalty plan. Royalty percentages and the price bands they apply to are set by KDP and change over time; read the current schedule on the pricing page before choosing.

Step 3: create the paperback

From the same title, add a paperback. Choose trim size, paper colour, and bleed setting to match the files you prepared, upload the interior PDF and the cover PDF, and use the print previewer to check margins, the spine, and the barcode area. Order a printed proof before you approve it; the screen never tells you how the spine text really sits.

Step 4: publish and wait

KDP reviews each format, usually within about three days, and emails you when the listing is live. The Kindle and paperback editions link together on one product page once both are approved.

After the listing is live

• Claim the book in Amazon Author Central and add your author bio and photo.
• Give readers one link: a book page with the cover, the blurb, and the buy button.
• Make the launch posts: a cover reveal, a release-day image, a short video.

Questions