To publish a book on Amazon KDP, prepare your manuscript, format the interior, create a cover, enter your book details, confirm your publishing rights, choose your territories and price, preview your files, and submit the book for review. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) lets authors publish eligible Kindle eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books without an upfront publishing fee. However, editing, cover design, printing, and other services may involve costs, and sales are not guaranteed.
This tutorial walks you through the process, explains the differences between eBook and print publishing, and shows you how to avoid common submission problems. If you want a broader introduction first, read our guide on what Amazon KDP is and how it works.
Steps Toward Publishing a Book on Amazon KDP
Step 1: Prepare Your Manuscript
Before opening your KDP dashboard, make sure your book is complete and ready for readers. A finished manuscript should have a clear structure, consistent formatting, accurate information, and no obvious spelling or grammar errors.
Work through these checks:
- Finish the main content and arrange the chapters in the correct order.
- Proofread the manuscript and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Remove repeated sections and unnecessary filler.
- Check facts, references, quotations, and image permissions.
- Add a title page, copyright page, table of contents, and other appropriate front matter.
- Make sure the book delivers what its title and description promise.
You can edit the book yourself, ask a trusted reader to review it, or hire an editor. Paid editing is optional, but the final manuscript should be clear and professional.
Step 2: Choose Your Publishing Format
KDP supports different publishing formats, and each has its own file and layout requirements. Choose the format that suits your readers and the kind of book you are producing.
| Format | Best suited to | Important consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle eBook | Novels, guides, business books, and text-based learning material | Readers can adjust text size on supported devices; check the converted layout. |
| Paperback | Printed novels, workbooks, manuals, and general nonfiction | Page count, trim size, ink, and paper choices affect printing costs. |
| Hardcover | Selected premium books, reference titles, and gift books | Cover templates and available specifications differ from paperback. |
You can publish more than one format for the same book. However, you must set up and check each format separately. A file formatted for a Kindle eBook should not automatically be treated as a print-ready interior.
For official format guidance, see Amazon’s guide to comparing Kindle book formats.
Step 3: Format the Interior Correctly
Formatting determines how your manuscript appears on a Kindle screen or printed page. The correct settings depend on your chosen format.
For Kindle eBooks
KDP accepts several eBook manuscript formats, including DOCX, EPUB, and KPF. KPF files can be created using Kindle Create. Supported formats and restrictions can change, so check the official requirements before uploading.
For a typical text-based eBook:
- Use consistent heading styles for chapters and sections.
- Create a working table of contents when appropriate.
- Use paragraph styles rather than manually inserting repeated spaces.
- Check images, hyperlinks, lists, and tables after conversion.
- Avoid relying on page numbers or fixed page layouts where the eBook should reflow.
Use Amazon’s supported eBook manuscript formats and eBook formatting guide for detailed instructions.
For Paperbacks and Hardcovers
Print books need a fixed page layout. Choose the trim size, set the margins, and check whether your pages require bleed. Bleed is needed when images or backgrounds extend to the edge of a page.
For print interiors, KDP accepts PDF and several other formats for eligible no-bleed manuscripts. If your interior contains elements that bleed to the page edges, KDP requires a PDF. Check the current specifications for your language and book type before exporting.
Images should be high enough in resolution for print. KDP’s paperback guidelines specify at least 300 DPI for images, and the file must meet its technical requirements. Use the official paperback submission guidelines to check margins, file preparation, and other specifications.
Step 4: Create a Cover That Meets KDP Requirements
Your cover should represent the book accurately and remain readable when displayed as a small thumbnail. It should also meet the technical specifications for the format you are publishing.
Kindle eBook cover
An eBook cover is generally a front-cover image. Use clear typography, suitable artwork, and a design that matches your genre or subject. Check that the title and author name are readable at a small size.
Paperback and hardcover covers
A print cover usually includes the front, spine, and back in a single file. The correct dimensions depend on the trim size, page count, paper, and book format. Generate or download the appropriate KDP cover template rather than estimating the spine width yourself.
You can create your own cover, hire a designer, or use KDP’s Cover Creator where available. Before uploading, check that the file follows Amazon’s current cover specifications.
Confirm that you have the rights to your content
You must have the necessary rights to publish the manuscript, photographs, illustrations, fonts, cover artwork, and other material included in your book. Do not assume that an image is free to use simply because it appears in a search result or was created with an online tool.
Keep records of relevant licences and permissions. If you use a designer, stock-image service, collaborator, or AI tool, check the applicable terms and confirm that your intended commercial use is allowed. You are responsible for ensuring that your book complies with KDP’s content requirements and applicable laws.
Review the official KDP content guidelines before submitting your work.
Step 5: Create or Sign In to Your KDP Account
Visit Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and sign in with your Amazon account, or create an account if needed.
Complete your account details, including your legal information, country of residence, payment information, and tax interview. Use accurate details and review the payment methods available for your location.
Completing your account information early can help prevent payment or verification issues later. You can manage your book projects from the KDP Bookshelf.
Step 6: Create a New Book and Enter Its Details
From your Bookshelf, choose the option to create a new title and select Kindle eBook, paperback, or hardcover. Follow the setup pages for that format.
Depending on the format and title, you may need to enter:
- Language: The language in which the book is written.
- Title and subtitle: The identifying details displayed on the book listing.
- Series and edition: Complete these fields if they apply.
- Author and contributors: Use accurate names and roles.
- Description: Explain the subject, audience, and value of the book.
- Publishing rights: Confirm whether you own the rights or have permission to publish.
- Keywords and categories: Select relevant options that accurately describe the book.
Check your spelling and consistency. The title, author name, and other identifying information should match the cover and manuscript where applicable. Do not use misleading keywords or claim that your book offers something it does not provide.
Step 7: Confirm Publishing Rights and Territories
During setup, KDP asks about publishing rights and the territories where you are authorised to sell the book.
If you own the necessary rights worldwide, you may be able to select worldwide distribution. If your rights are limited to particular countries or territories, select only those you are authorised to publish in.
For example, if you licensed a translation for a specific territory, that agreement may restrict where you can sell the translated edition. Check contracts with publishers, co-authors, translators, illustrators, and other rights holders before selecting your territories.
Do not select worldwide rights simply to reach more customers. Your selection must reflect the rights you actually hold.
Step 8: Upload Your Manuscript and Cover
Upload the correctly formatted interior and cover files to the relevant sections of the KDP setup process. Allow the files to finish processing before continuing.
If you are publishing a print book, double-check that the interior and cover correspond to the same trim size and edition. An incorrect cover template or mismatched page count can cause problems during review.
If KDP displays an upload or conversion error, read the specific message and correct the source file before uploading it again. Repeatedly uploading the same file without addressing the error is unlikely to solve the problem.
Step 9: Choose Your Price and Understand Royalties
Your list price affects both the amount readers pay and the royalty you may earn. The calculation differs between Kindle eBooks and printed books.
Kindle eBook royalties
KDP offers two eBook royalty options: 35% and 70%. The 70% option has eligibility requirements, including applicable pricing and sales-territory rules. Eligible sales under this option are calculated after applicable VAT and delivery costs. Sales outside eligible territories generally use the 35% option.
For the current rules, check Amazon’s official digital book pricing and royalty guide.
Paperback and hardcover royalties
Print royalties depend on the applicable royalty rate, list price, marketplace, and printing costs. KDP prints copies on demand and deducts the printing cost when calculating your royalty. Printing costs vary with factors such as page count, trim size, ink type, and the marketplace where the book is ordered.
This means that a printed book with a low selling price or expensive production specifications may earn a small royalty. Review the estimated figures before publishing instead of assuming that the royalty percentage is your final profit.
Use the official paperback printing-cost guide and print book royalty calculator to estimate earnings for paperback and hardcover editions.
Step 10: Preview the Book Before Publishing
Previewing is one of the most important steps because conversion and print preparation can reveal problems that were not obvious in your original document.
Check the entire book, not just the opening pages. Look for:
- Missing chapters or text.
- Incorrect chapter order or headings.
- Broken links or table-of-contents entries.
- Images that are missing, blurry, or misplaced.
- Unexpected blank pages or inconsistent spacing.
- Print margins, page numbering, and bleed issues.
- Cover text that is cut off or difficult to read.
Use the KDP preview tools available for your format and correct any issues before submission. If you update a manuscript or cover, preview the revised files again.
Step 11: Submit Your Book for Review
When you have checked the metadata, rights, manuscript, cover, and pricing, submit the book through KDP. Amazon reviews the submission for technical and content compliance before making it available for purchase.
Amazon’s published timelines say that eBooks are typically reviewed and published within 24–72 hours. Many print books are also processed within approximately three business days. These are estimates, not guarantees. Timing can vary by format, marketplace, content review, and publishing volume. Low-content books, such as journals and notebooks, may take considerably longer.
Check the current KDP publishing timelines and your Bookshelf for the status of your title. If Amazon identifies a problem, follow the instructions provided, correct the issue, and resubmit when permitted.
Common KDP Submission Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Manuscript upload fails | Confirm the file type, size, and current format requirements. Export a fresh file if necessary. |
| eBook formatting looks wrong | Check heading styles, spacing, images, tables, and conversion settings, then preview the revised file. |
| Print margins or bleed are incorrect | Verify the trim size, margin settings, bleed choice, and PDF export. |
| Cover is rejected | Check dimensions, file specifications, image quality, text placement, and the print cover template. |
| Book details do not match | Check that the title, subtitle, author, edition, and other metadata are consistent with the book and cover. |
| Rights or content concerns | Confirm your publishing rights and permissions, then review the relevant KDP content rules. |
| Publication is taking longer than expected | Check the Bookshelf status and official timeline guidance. Do not assume that a delay means the book has been rejected. |
After Publication: Check Your Listing and Promote Your Book
Once your book becomes available, open its Amazon product page and confirm that the title, cover, description, format, and price appear correctly. Some page elements or updates may take additional time to display.
Then focus on reaching the right readers:
- Improve the listing: Make sure the description is clear, accurate, and useful to your intended audience.
- Share relevant content: Use a website, newsletter, or social media to introduce the subject of your book.
- Build an author presence: Consider creating an author website or using Amazon Author Central where available.
- Request honest reviews: Follow Amazon’s review policies and never buy reviews or offer rewards in exchange for positive ratings.
- Track your results: Use KDP reports to understand sales and royalties, then make informed changes to your promotion strategy.
Publishing does not guarantee sales. A useful book, a suitable price, and thoughtful promotion can help readers discover it, but results depend on demand, competition, and many other factors.
Final Checklist Before You Submit
- My manuscript is complete, proofread, and properly formatted.
- My cover meets the requirements for the selected format.
- I own or have permission to publish all text, images, and artwork.
- My title, author details, description, keywords, and categories are accurate.
- I selected only the territories where I have the necessary rights.
- I checked the ISBN requirements for my chosen format.
- I reviewed the price, royalty option, and print-cost estimate where applicable.
- I previewed the book and corrected visible errors.
- My KDP account, tax details, and payment information are complete.
- I understand that review times vary and publication is not guaranteed until the review is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions About Publishing a Book on Amazon KDP
Is it free to publish a book on Amazon KDP?
Yes. KDP does not charge an upfront fee to create an account and submit a book. Optional services such as editing, cover design, and marketing may cost money. Print costs are generally deducted from royalties when a customer orders a printed copy.
How long does KDP take to approve a book?
Amazon says eBooks are typically reviewed and published within 24–72 hours, while many print books are processed in approximately three business days. These are estimates; some books take longer depending on the format, marketplace, and review requirements.
Which file formats does KDP accept?
For eBooks, common supported formats include DOCX, EPUB, and KPF. Print books support PDF and several other formats for eligible interiors, but bleed requirements and language restrictions may apply. Always check the current official file guidelines for your format.
Do I need an ISBN?
Kindle eBooks do not require an ISBN on KDP. Eligible paperback and hardcover books generally need one, and KDP offers a free ISBN for eligible print titles. Your own ISBN may be appropriate if you want to use your registered publishing imprint.
How much does Amazon charge to print a book?
There is no single printing price for every book. Costs depend on factors such as page count, trim size, ink type, paper, and the marketplace. Use KDP’s printing-cost calculator to estimate the cost for your specific edition.
Can I publish the same book as an eBook and paperback?
Yes. You can create multiple formats for the same title. Each format must meet its own manuscript, cover, and setup requirements.
Can I publish a book if I used AI tools?
KDP distinguishes between AI-generated content and AI-assisted content. Authors must disclose AI-generated text, images, or translations as required by KDP, while content created by the author and merely refined with AI is treated differently. You remain responsible for accuracy, rights, and compliance.
Conclusion On How to Publish a Book on Amazon KDP
Publishing a book on Amazon KDP involves more than uploading a manuscript. Prepare and format the book carefully, create a compliant cover, enter accurate metadata, confirm your publishing rights and territories, set a realistic price, and preview the finished files before submitting them.
Use Amazon’s current documentation whenever you need to confirm file requirements, royalty calculations, printing costs, or review times. Once your book is approved and available, check the listing and promote it to readers who are likely to find it useful. KDP makes self-publishing accessible, but the quality of your book and the way you reach your audience remain important.
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