How to Publish on Amazon KDP: Step-by-Step Guide

Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account — or create one. Complete tax information (W-9 for USA authors) and add a bank account for royalty payments. KDP pays monthly, approximately 60 days after the end of each month.

Set up your Author Central page at author.amazon.com after your first book is live. This lets you manage your author bio, link books, track sales, and respond to reviews.

You need two files: an interior manuscript file and a cover file. For eBooks, upload an ePub or DOCX — KDP converts to Kindle format. For paperback, upload a print-ready PDF with correct trim size, margins, and bleed.

Cover files must include front, spine, and back for print. KDP provides a cover calculator and template based on your trim size and page count. eBook covers upload as a single front-image JPEG or TIFF at 2560 × 1600 pixels minimum.

Fill in every field on the Details page: title, subtitle, series info, edition number, author, description, publishing rights, keywords, and categories. Your book description is your sales page copy — write it with a hook, benefit, and call to action.

Choose two BISAC categories during upload. Keywords fill seven boxes of 50 characters each. Use phrases readers actually search — not single words. Tools like Publisher Rocket and Amazon's autocomplete help identify high-traffic terms.

eBook royalties are 35% or 70%. The 70% tier requires pricing between $2.99 and $9.99, and a delivery fee is deducted based on file size. Most fiction and nonfiction authors choose 70%.

Paperback royalties are 60% of list price minus printing cost. Printing cost depends on page count, ink type (black vs. color), and trim size. Use KDP's royalty calculator before setting your list price to ensure a reasonable margin.

KDP Select enrolls your eBook exclusively in Amazon's ecosystem for 90-day periods. Benefits include Kindle Unlimited page reads (paid per page), promotional tools (Free Book Promotion, Kindle Countdown Deals), and higher visibility in Amazon's algorithms.

Wide distribution publishes your eBook on Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and library platforms simultaneously. You sacrifice KU income and Amazon-only promos but reach readers on every platform.

Use KDP's Online Previewer and order a physical proof before approving your paperback. Check for formatting errors, cover alignment, and color accuracy. Once satisfied, click Publish — eBooks typically go live within 24–72 hours.

After publication, set up Amazon Ads, share your book link with your email list, and monitor your KDP dashboard for sales data. Adjust keywords and ad campaigns based on performance in the first 30 days.