A practical, 1,200-word guide for first-time and experienced authors
How to publish a book on Amazon KDP – Let’s dive in. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) gives every author the power to publish a book and reach millions of readers worldwide — without a traditional publisher. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, or how-to guides, KDP puts you in full control of your content, pricing, and royalties. In this guide, you will learn exactly how to publish a book on Amazon KDP from start to finish.
Step 1
Create your Amazon KDP account
Visit kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your existing Amazon account, or create a new one. Once inside, navigate to your KDP dashboard and complete your account details — including your author name, tax information, and bank account for royalty payments. Amazon requires this information before it pays you, so fill it in accurately from day one. The setup takes less than 15 minutes and you only do it once.
Step 2
Prepare and format your manuscript
Before you upload anything, format your manuscript correctly. KDP accepts Word (.docx) and PDF files for print books, and .docx, .epub, or .mobi for eBooks. Use consistent heading styles, proper paragraph spacing, and clear chapter breaks. Remove any extra blank pages or odd formatting. For eBooks, consider using the free Kindle Create tool — it converts your Word document into a clean Kindle format automatically. A well-formatted manuscript reduces rejection and gives readers a professional experience.
Step 3
Design a professional book cover – how to publish a book on Amazon KDP
Readers judge books by their covers — especially on Amazon, where your thumbnail competes against hundreds of titles. Use KDP’s free Cover Creator tool for a quick solution, or hire a professional designer for a custom cover. If you design it yourself, use tools like Canva or Adobe Express. For print books, KDP provides a downloadable cover template based on your page count and paper type. Ensure your cover image meets the minimum resolution of 1,000 x 625 pixels, though 2,560 x 1,600 pixels is recommended for the best quality.
Step 4
Set up your book details
Click “Create a new title” on your KDP dashboard and choose between Kindle eBook or Paperback. Fill in your book title, subtitle, series name (if applicable), edition number, and author name. Write a compelling book description — this is your sales pitch. Use keywords your readers actually search for. Select up to two categories and enter seven keyword phrases that describe your book’s topic, genre, and audience. These choices directly affect your discoverability on Amazon’s search engine.
Upload your manuscript and cover
On the content page, upload your formatted manuscript file and your cover image. KDP’s online previewer will show you exactly how your book looks on different Kindle devices. Review every page carefully — check for formatting errors, missing images, broken links, and blank pages. For print books, also verify margins, bleed settings, and spine width. Fix any issues before moving forward. This step is critical because errors that slip through here will reach your actual readers.
Step 6
Choose your ISBN and publishing rights
For print books, you need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). KDP offers a free ISBN, but it lists Amazon as the publisher. If you want to retain full independent publisher status, purchase your own ISBN through Bowker (in the US) or Nielsen (in the UK). For Kindle eBooks, Amazon assigns a free ASIN instead of an ISBN. Select whether your content is a new work or public domain, and confirm that you own the rights. Publishing content you do not own the rights to can result in your account being terminated.
Step 7
Set your price and royalty plan
KDP offers two royalty options for Kindle eBooks: 35% and 70%. To qualify for the 70% royalty, your eBook must be priced between $2.99 and $9.99 and enrolled in KDP Select (which means Amazon exclusivity for 90 days). For print books, KDP calculates your royalty based on your list price minus printing costs. Research competitor pricing in your genre before setting your price. A price that is too high reduces conversions; a price that is too low can signal low quality to buyers.
Step 8
Publish and promote your book
Once you review everything, click “Publish your Kindle eBook” or “Submit for publishing” for print. Amazon reviews most titles within 24 to 72 hours. After approval, your book goes live on Amazon’s marketplace. Now, promotion becomes your primary job. Share your book link on social media, build an email list, reach out to book bloggers, and consider running Amazon Ads. Request reviews from early readers — reviews are the single most powerful tool for boosting your book’s ranking and conversions. Keep monitoring your KDP dashboard for sales data, and update your book description or keywords if sales stall.
Publishing on Amazon KDP puts you in the driver’s seat. You control the content, the timeline, and the profits. By following these eight steps carefully — from account setup to active promotion — you give your book the best possible chance to succeed. Thousands of authors earn a full-time income through KDP every year. Start today, stay consistent, and treat your publishing journey as a business from day one.