Publishing a book on Amazon helps authors to achieve their target audience while staying on budget. It is one of the most user-friendly platforms where authors have full rights to their work and earn a greater royalty percentage. 

The built-in marketing features like author pages, Amazon ads, and promotional options provide higher readability. Add icing to the cake, Amazon also simplifies the publishing and distribution process which helps beginners. 

However, Publishing a book on Amazon takes time. But with our step-by-step guide to KDP publishing, authors can give their books the best shot at making the bestseller list. So stay with us and learn more!

Publishing a Book on Amazon 

Self-publishing a Book on Amazon is not as easy as it seems. Authors need proper guidance to transform their dreams into reality. Amazon, through its user-friendly interface, always helps authors achieve their dreams of success and provides step-by-step guides to KDP publishing. That step involves the following: 

1. Create Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Account

The foremost step is to create an Amazon KDP account. For this, visit kdp.amazon.com. If you already have an account, choose the sign-in option, but if not, create a new account by selecting the sign-up option to create a new one. Signing in to the account is necessary because KDP has some terms and policies that authors must first accept when creating an account. Once done, the author dashboard appears on the screen. 

2. Add New Kindle ebook/Title

Once a book is entered on Amazon, it has no title yet. Therefore, the next step involves adding the title of a new book. To do this, click the box “+ Kindle eBook” and start entering information. Always remember that there is an option at the bottom of the page, “ Save as Draft,” to save your settings if you have to stop creating an account in the middle. 

3. Choose Primary Language

After adding the Kindle title, choose the primary language of the eBook. Primary language means the language authors write the book in, such as English, French, German, Italian, or others. Surprisingly, Amazon KDP supports over 45 languages and assists authors from all over the world. 

4. Enter the ebook Title and Subtitle

The next important step is choosing the book’s title and subtitles. When readers look at the cover page, the first thing that grabs their attention is the book’s title. If the title is strong enough, it enhances readability, ultimately maximizing sales. So make sure it is worth appreciating. 

5. Enter the Author’s name

Once the title is chosen, it’s time to enter the author’s name. Authors can enter the name of a pen name under the box “ Author.” If there are more than two authors, enter the names of other authors in the “Contributor” box.

6. Add Book Description

When we talk about book description, a book’s sales pitch provides readers with a brief overview of the book. Amazon helps authors to make a handsome amount at each step. It allows authors to add up to 4,000 characters in book descriptions. Once the book is listed on Amazon, publishers can join “Authors Central” to gain more control over their book detail pages. 

7. Verifying Publishing Rights

At this point, authors own their work, so never ignore it. If the authors create the account, they select the radio button that clarifies, “ I own the copyright, and I hold the necessary publishing rights.” Under US copyright law, authors own their work when they say this. 

8. Select the Keywords

When publishing a book on Amazon, keyword selection is tricky. Always choose keywords wisely because these keywords directly trigger the audience and have a huge impact on them. So, put them strategically so that when some reader searches for a remedy that cures his pain, they get the exact keywords. 

9. Choose Two Categories for eBook

Next is the “Categories” box. This allows authors to choose two categories for the book—fiction, nonfiction, comics, or other. This is an important decision from a marketing point of view. Because choosing the right categories helps authors maximize their readability, they also get to know their competitors and how hard it is for authors to win bestselling awards. 

10. Select the Age Range

Authors can skip this box if not needed. But if the book targets a specific age group, fill in the minimum and maximum age limits. For example, some books are specifically written for teens or children. 

11. Choose Release Option for Book

From a marketing aspect, choosing a book’s release date, especially for non-fiction books, is very important. When authors announce a release date, it automatically grabs attention. However, Amazon KDP allows authors to keep entering their book information or release date before publishing by choosing the “ Save and Continue” option. 

12. Enter DRM Rights

Amazon provides authors with Digital Rights Management. No one can steal or copy a book without the author’s permission. However, readers can loan a book quickly through a proper Kindle lending system. 

13. Upload the Book

Before uploading the ebook, turn it into a well-formatted file. Amazon supports different formats, such as “epub,” from other retailers because it wants a book to look good on each type of e-reader device—mobile, laptop, or computer. Amazon also provides the option to preview the book in different formats before uploading it. 

14. Upload the Book Cover

A book is always judged by its cover, or you have to work hard so that no one can see the cover. Although this is a bitter reality, it is 100% true. So make sure to choose book covers that captivate the audience and maximise sales. We always consult authors to hire professionals for this work because a little mistake in selecting a book cover can ruin a whole career. 

15. Preview the Book

Authors can preview their books through Kindle Previewer. There are two options: “Launch Preview and Preview on your computer.” Always choose the second one and install the preview app on the computer. Then, open the book through MOBIlink. Check for cover design and read each repeatedly until no mistake is found.  

16. ISBN and Publisher

ISBNs and publishers are unnecessary for Kindle ebooks, so authors skip this box and click the “ Save and Continue” option. To publish the ebook on Amazon, click “ Publish your Kindle ebook” at the bottom of the screen. 

17. Skip KDP Select Enrolment Box

Amazon always has the option of adding an ebook to KDP Select. But we advise the authors to skip this box. Once an author enters the book in the enrollment program, they have to leave it here for at least three months, although it provides more marketing opportunities like Kindle countdown deals. 

18. Select the Territories

Authors choose Amazon Kindle because of its global recognition. When choosing the areas, it is always better to choose the “All territories” option as it enhances visibility. 

19. Select the Royalties and Price 

Select royalties between 35% and 70%. Although 70% royalty pays more, it has some limitations and different royalty calculations. Always choose Amazon.com as your priority marketplace and then set the price. However, the price is set for other platforms according to the exchange rate. 

20. Add Book to Matchbox and Book Lending

If authors choose 70% royalty, enrolling in the book lending box is necessary. Otherwise, authors can skip this box. 

21. Save the Draft

Once you’ve completed every step, it’s time to consider the publishing date and launch the book. But before that, click “ Save as Draft” to ensure all settings remain safe. Check the book cover, pricing, layout, blurb, and Authors page. When everything is fine, announce the launching date. 

22. Self-publishing the Print Book

Self-publishing a print book is also done through the same account but requires some modifications. For example, book covers need different formatting, while interiors need another format style. This also has different pricing plans. 

Final Words 

Amazon helps millions of authors to get their dream sale by publishing a book on Amazon KDP. They can drive more sales through social media channels, advanced reviews, book blurbs, email lists, and more.  However, it is a process that demands patience and time.