Publishing your first book can feel overwhelming — but Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) makes the process easier than ever. With KDP, you can publish both eBooks and paperbacks (even hardcovers) and reach readers worldwide with just a few clicks.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to publish on KDP — separating eBooks and paperbacks so you know what to expect for each. By the end, you’ll be ready to upload your manuscript, set pricing, understand royalties, and decide whether KDP Select is right for your goals.
What Is Amazon KDP?
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s free platform that allows authors to:
- Publish eBooks for Kindle readers.
- Publish paperbacks (print-on-demand, no upfront costs).
- Retain control over content, pricing, and distribution.
- Earn royalties of 35% or 70% for eBooks and up to 60% for paperbacks.
Step 1: Create Your KDP Account
Before publishing, you’ll need to set up an account at kdp.amazon.com.
- Sign in with your Amazon account or create a new one.
- Enter your author/publisher name (this will appear on your books).
- Provide your banking and tax details so you can receive royalty payments.
👉 Pro Tip: Use your pen name here if you plan to publish under one.
Part 1: Publishing an eBook on Amazon KDP
Publishing an eBook is usually the first step for new authors. Here’s the breakdown:
Step 2: Start a New Kindle eBook
Click “+ Create” → Kindle eBook.
You’ll complete three main sections:
(A) Book Details
- Book Title & Subtitle – Make it clear, keyword-rich, and typo-free.
- Author Name – This is how your name will appear to readers.
- Description – Your book blurb; think of it as sales copy. Make it compelling.
- Keywords – Add up to 7 keywords readers might use to find your book.
- Categories – Choose up to 2 categories that fit your genre.
(B) Upload Manuscript & Cover
- Upload your manuscript (Word, EPUB, or PDF).
- Upload your cover (use Amazon Cover Creator or hire a designer).
- Use Kindle Previewer to check formatting on different devices.
(C) Rights & Pricing
- Confirm you own the rights.
- Choose pricing:
- 70% royalties if priced $2.99–$9.99.
- 35% royalties if outside that range.
- Select worldwide or individual territories.
Part 2: Publishing a Paperback on Amazon KDP
Publishing a paperback lets readers buy a physical copy of your book through print-on-demand. Amazon prints and ships each copy when ordered — no inventory required.
Step 2: Start a New Paperback
Click “+ Create” → Paperback.
(A) Paperback Details
- Book Title, Subtitle, and Author – These must match your eBook if you’re publishing both.
- Description – Same as your eBook, but you can tweak slightly.
- ISBN – Amazon provides a free ISBN, or you can supply your own.
- Keywords & Categories – Same as with eBooks.
⚠️ Important Warning: Once your paperback is published, you cannot change certain details such as the book title, subtitle, or ISBN. If there are typos, you’ll need to unpublish and republish under a new ISBN. Double-check before hitting publish.
(B) Manuscript & Cover
- Upload your print-ready PDF manuscript. (Margins, bleed, and trim size must be correct.)
- Upload a print cover (different from eBook because it includes a back cover + spine).
- Use the Print Previewer to see how your paperback will look.
(C) Rights & Pricing
- Choose territories (worldwide is recommended).
- Set list price → Amazon takes 40% of list price and subtracts printing costs.
- Example: If your book costs $3.50 to print and you list it at $12.99, your royalty = $12.99 – (40% + $3.50).
Step 3: Decide on KDP Select (For eBooks Only)
KDP Select is an optional program for eBooks.
Pros
- Your book is included in Kindle Unlimited (you get paid per page read).
- Access to Free Book Promotions and Countdown Deals.
- More visibility in Amazon’s system.
Cons
- Exclusivity: You can’t publish your eBook anywhere else (like Apple Books or Kobo) during the 90-day enrollment.
👉 If you’re just starting, KDP Select can help boost visibility. If you want to “go wide,” skip it.
Step 4: Publish and Promote
Once everything looks good, click Publish.
- eBooks: Usually live within 24–72 hours.
- Paperbacks: Often take a bit longer due to print setup.
Promotion Tips
- Share your book on social media and email newsletters.
- Use Amazon Ads to target readers in your niche.
- Ask beta readers for honest reviews to boost credibility.
- Offer launch promotions to build momentum.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Categories
When publishing on Amazon KDP, selecting the right categories and subcategories can make a big difference in your book’s visibility.
Amazon allows you to choose two main categories during setup, but your book can appear in more through Amazon’s internal system (and by requesting additional categories through support).
Here’s why it matters:
- Lower competition = higher ranking potential. If you choose a massive category like “Self-Help” or “Romance,” your book will compete with thousands of bestsellers. But drilling down into a niche subcategory (e.g., “Christian Self-Help” or “Romantic Comedy”) gives your book a better chance to appear in the Top 100 lists.
- Category ranking badges boost credibility. Readers are more likely to buy books that have an “#1 Bestseller” or “Top 10” tag in a category — and the right niche category makes this more achievable.
- Targeting the right readers. Categories act as Amazon’s “bookshelf.” The better your placement, the easier it is for readers who want your exact type of book to find it.
👉 Pro Tip: Use tools like Amazon’s Best Seller Rank (BSR) search or third-party tools (Publisher Rocket, Kindlepreneur) to find categories with demand but lower competition.
The Importance of Adding Keywords
In addition to categories, KDP lets you enter up to 7 keyword phrases (not just single words). These keywords are crucial because they directly affect how your book shows up in Amazon’s search results.
Why keywords matter:
- Discoverability. Readers often type searches like “time management for busy moms” or “Christian devotional for anxiety” — if your book includes those phrases, it has a higher chance of appearing in results.
- Sales ranking boost. The right keywords align your book with what people are actively buying.
- Complement categories. If your categories get you on the right “shelf,” keywords help Amazon’s algorithm understand your book even better.
Tips for strong keywords:
- Use phrases, not just single words (“productivity hacks for students” is better than just “productivity”).
- Think like your reader: “How would someone search for my book if they’d never heard of me?”
- Mix broad and niche terms to capture more opportunities.
👉 Pro Tip: Browse Amazon’s search bar autocomplete. Start typing a word and see what suggestions pop up — those are real search terms readers use.
How to Research Amazon KDP Categories and Keywords (Beginner-Friendly)
Step 1: Research Categories on Amazon
- Go to the Kindle Store → Amazon Kindle Store (or your local Amazon site).
- On the left-hand side, browse through the Categories and Subcategories.
- Example: Kindle eBooks → Religion & Spirituality → Christian Living → Spiritual Growth.
- Look at the Top 20 books in that category. Check:
- Best Seller Rank (BSR): Scroll down on a book’s page to the “Product Details” section. The lower the BSR, the more sales that book makes.
- Competition: If the Top 10 are all from big-name publishers or best-selling authors, that category may be tough.
- Target niche subcategories with demand but fewer big competitors.
👉 Goal: Find categories where books rank in the Top 100 with moderate BSR (not all #1,000 or lower) — this shows there’s demand but not impossible competition.
Step 2: Research Keywords Using Amazon Search
- Use Amazon’s Search Bar
- Type a general keyword related to your book. Example: “time management”.
- Look at the autocomplete suggestions like “time management for students” or “time management for moms”. These are real search terms buyers use.
- Check Competition
- Search the full keyword phrase (e.g., “time management for students”).
- See how many results appear (shown at the top). The lower the number, the less competition.
- Look at the covers, reviews, and rankings — can your book stand out?
- Analyze Buyer Intent
- A keyword like “free time management book” may not lead to buyers, while “time management for busy professionals” is more purchase-driven.
👉 Pro Tip: Combine broad and niche keywords — e.g., “self-help book” (broad) + “self-help for anxiety” (niche).
Step 3: Organize Your Findings
- Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for:
- Keyword / Category
- Competition level (High/Medium/Low)
- Top book’s BSR
- Notes (e.g., “good for students” or “too competitive”)
- Select:
- 2 main categories (KDP allows you to pick during setup).
- 7 strong keyword phrases that match what readers are already searching for.
Step 4: Optimize When Publishing
- Enter your chosen categories during setup.
- Add your keywords (phrases, not just single words).
- Write your book description naturally, but sprinkle in your best keywords (avoid stuffing).
👉 After publishing, monitor your book’s ranking. If it’s not showing up, consider tweaking keywords or asking Amazon Support to add you to different subcategories.
✅ By following this process, even without paid tools, beginners can:
- Find categories with less competition,
- Use keywords readers are already searching,
- Increase their book’s visibility and chance of ranking.
ISBN: Amazon’s Free ISBN vs. Buying Your Own
When publishing a paperback on Amazon KDP, you’ll need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). This is a unique identifier used by bookstores, libraries, and distributors to track and sell books. Amazon gives you two options:
- Amazon’s Free ISBN
- Cost: Free
- Publisher Name: Amazon will list “Independently published” as the publisher on your book’s details page.
- Ownership: Amazon owns the ISBN, not you. This means you can’t use it outside Amazon’s platform (for example, in bookstores, libraries, or other publishing platforms).
- Best For: Beginners who only plan to sell their book on Amazon. It’s hassle-free and zero cost.
- Buying Your Own ISBN (Bowker or National Agency)
- Cost: Paid (in the U.S., Bowker sells ISBNs for around $125 for one or cheaper if bought in bulk; other countries may have different pricing or even free national agencies).
- Publisher Name: You get to use your own imprint name (e.g., “Your Publishing House”). This looks more professional and gives your book credibility.
- Ownership: You own the ISBN and can use it across multiple platforms, not just Amazon. This is essential if you plan to distribute your book widely (bookstores, IngramSpark, libraries, etc.).
- Best For: Authors who want full control, brand recognition, or plan to publish multiple books across different platforms.
⚠️ Important Note: eBooks published on KDP don’t need an ISBN—Amazon assigns them an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) instead. ISBNs are only required for paperback and hardcover editions.
Print Previewer: Checking Margins and Sizing
When you upload your paperback manuscript on Amazon KDP, you’ll need to go through the Print Previewer before you can publish. This tool is Amazon’s built-in checker that ensures your book’s layout, margins, and sizing meet the printing requirements.
- Why It’s Important: Amazon won’t allow you to move to the next step until every formatting issue is resolved. Even small problems—like text running too close to the edges, incorrect trim size, or images bleeding outside the safe area—will stop you from approving your book.
- What It Checks:
- Margins: Ensures your text isn’t too close to the edges or cut off when printed.
- Gutter Space: Makes sure the inner margins (where the book is bound) are wide enough for easy reading.
- Trim Size: Confirms your manuscript matches the paperback size you selected (e.g., 6×9 inches).
- Bleed Settings: Verifies that images or background designs extend properly to the edges if you selected “bleed.”
- How to Use It:
- Upload your manuscript file (usually PDF).
- Launch the Print Previewer inside KDP.
- Carefully review each page—Amazon will highlight issues in red if there’s a problem.
- Fix the issues in your original file (e.g., Word, InDesign, or formatting software) and re-upload.
- Pro Tip: Always double-check your page count and size before uploading. If you set your book to 6×9 but your file is formatted as 5.5×8.5, you’ll be flagged with an error.
✅ Remember: You cannot publish your paperback unless the Print Previewer is 100% approved. Take your time here—it’s better to fix mistakes now than to end up with a poorly formatted printed book.
Final Thoughts
Publishing on Amazon KDP opens doors for every author — whether you’re publishing your first eBook or launching a paperback for the world to hold in their hands.
- Start with an eBook to reach digital readers.
- Add a paperback for credibility and print lovers.
- Double-check all details (especially paperback title info) before hitting publish.
Your words are ready to inspire — now share them with the world through Kindle Direct Publishing.
