How to Publish a Book on Amazon KDP: A Step-by-Step Guide for Authors
Amazon KDP lets you publish a book on your own, without a publisher or a print run. We break down the process step by step โ from file to sales.
Amazon KDP is a self-publishing platform where authors publish their own books and earn a percentage of sales worldwide. No print run is required: digital books are delivered instantly to the buyer, while print copies are produced on demand. Getting started is free โ you only pay a percentage of your sales.
What You Need to Prepare
- A finished, proofread manuscript in the required format
- A cover that meets the platform's specifications
- A description and keywords for search visibility
- Payment details and a tax interview form
Publication Steps
Create an account, upload your manuscript file and cover, fill in the description and categories, then choose your price and royalty model. The platform reviews your file and makes your book available for sale โ typically within 24 hours. From that point on, your book is accessible to buyers in the global marketplace.
The barrier to entry in self-publishing today is minimal. The challenge isn't getting published โ it's getting found.Leonardo Francesco Rossi, European content and platform analysis
Key Things to Pay Attention To
The most critical element is your book's listing: the cover, description, and keywords directly determine whether readers will discover your book. Make sure you also understand the tax form requirements for authors from your country, as well as the royalty model โ it has a significant impact on your earnings per copy.
