Blog
How to publish a book on Amazon using KDP
Learning how to publish a book on Amazon means working through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, usually called KDP. The dashboard lets you create separate Kindle ebook and paperback editions from the same manuscript, then set their details, upload production files, choose a price, and submit each edition for review.
Build the files before you open a new title in KDP. That keeps the listing process focused and prevents last-minute changes to the manuscript or cover after the book is already in review.
1. How to publish a book on Amazon: choose your editions
Decide first whether readers will get a Kindle ebook, a paperback, or both. Each edition has its own KDP setup page and product page, although the editions can be linked when their title, author name, and other core metadata match.
| Publishing choice | Prepare | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle ebook | Reflowable EPUB or supported manuscript file | Your book is mainly text and intended for Kindle reading |
| Paperback | Print-ready interior PDF and full-wrap cover PDF | You want a physical edition through Amazon print-on-demand |
| Both editions | One final manuscript adapted for digital and print | You want readers to choose their preferred format |
Start with the edition whose layout is simplest. For a text-led nonfiction book or novel, that is often the ebook; a workbook, illustrated title, or book with fixed page references may need the paperback specifications settled first.
2. Set up your KDP account and payment details
Sign in at KDP with an Amazon account, then complete the account information before uploading a book. KDP asks for the publisher or individual name, address, bank details for royalty payments, and tax interview information. Use the legal payee name that matches your tax and banking records.
Choose the marketplace settings carefully and keep access to the email address used for the account. KDP screens and royalty terms can change, so use Amazon KDP Help to confirm the current requirements before submission.
A free KDP ISBN can be used for an eligible paperback, while Kindle ebooks do not require an ISBN. If you bring your own ISBN, enter it accurately and do not reuse it for a different edition or format.
3. Prepare the ebook and paperback files
Freeze the manuscript text before formatting. For a Kindle ebook, use a navigable table of contents, consistent heading styles, and page breaks between chapters. Avoid relying on spaces or repeated returns to position text, because Kindle devices resize the page.
A paperback interior needs a print PDF built for the trim size selected in KDP. Check margins, page numbering, blank pages, image resolution, and every chapter opening in the PDF. The number of final pages affects the spine width and therefore the paperback cover.
If you are deciding what source file to create, see Which ebook format to write. A tool such as create-ebook can also turn a finished concept into a structured manuscript and supply EPUB, PDF, and DOCX files, which you should still proof before upload.
Run separate previews
Use KDP’s online preview tools for each edition. Look for split headings, missing image captions, accidental blank pages, and text that falls too close to the print edge. Fix the source file, export again, and re-upload instead of trying to repair the issue in the dashboard.
4. Create covers that match the edition
Your Kindle cover is a front-cover image, normally uploaded as a JPG or TIFF. It should remain readable at thumbnail size, where a long subtitle or low-contrast type often disappears.
A paperback needs a single full-wrap PDF containing the back cover, spine, and front cover. Generate or confirm the cover template only after selecting the trim size, paper type, ink option, and final page count in KDP. A change to the interior page count can make an earlier spine width wrong.
Keep the title and author name identical across the cover and KDP metadata. A mismatch can slow review and makes it harder for Amazon to connect formats on one product page.
5. Build the Amazon listing and choose categories
In the book details screen, enter the title, subtitle, series information if applicable, author name, description, keywords, and categories. Treat this as reader-facing copy, not a place for search-term stuffing. The description should explain the book’s subject, reader, and practical outcome in clear language.
Select categories that genuinely fit the manuscript. Do not name another author’s brand in the title, subtitle, or keywords, and do not claim bestseller status, awards, or reviews you cannot substantiate. For a pen name, use it consistently on the cover, title page, and KDP listing.
Read the listing aloud before saving. Small errors in a subtitle, contributor line, or edition statement can appear on the Amazon page and may require a new review after correction.
6. Set ebook and paperback prices and understand royalties
Set a list price separately for each marketplace and format. Kindle ebooks can qualify for either a 35% or 70% royalty option, subject to KDP’s current pricing rules, territories, and delivery costs. Paperback royalties depend on the applicable rate and the printing cost, which varies with production choices and marketplace.
Do the arithmetic in the dashboard before publishing. For a quick scenario comparison, use this Kindle royalty calculator, then verify the final royalty shown by KDP for every marketplace you enable.
Price changes can be made after the title is live, but allow time for store pages to update. Avoid setting a price solely because a similar book uses it; compare your page count, production cost, format, and the value readers receive.
7. How to publish a book on Amazon after pressing Publish
Clicking Publish Your Kindle eBook or Publish Your Paperback Book sends that edition to KDP review. It does not put the book on sale immediately. KDP checks the files, cover, metadata, and rights-related details, then changes the title’s status in your Bookshelf.
| KDP status or event | What it means | Your next check |
|---|---|---|
| Draft | The setup is saved but not submitted | Finish required fields and previews |
| In Review | KDP is assessing the submitted edition | Watch the Bookshelf and your account email |
| Live | The book is available on its Amazon store page | Open the listing and inspect displayed details |
| Update submitted | A later change is awaiting processing | Confirm the updated file or metadata appears |
Review and store-update times vary, so check the status in the KDP Bookshelf rather than relying on a fixed number of days. If you enroll an ebook in KDP Select, understand the digital exclusivity commitment for its enrollment period first. What KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited mean explains the relationship.
Closing: check the live product page
Once the edition is live, open its Amazon page as a reader would. Check the cover, title, description, format, price, author link, and Look Inside or sample where available. Keep a local folder containing the final interior, cover, ISBN record, and the date of each KDP update so later corrections stay controlled.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay Amazon to publish a book through KDP?
KDP does not charge an upfront fee to upload and publish a Kindle ebook or paperback. For paperbacks, printing costs are deducted from sales before royalties are paid, and authors may separately pay for editing, design, or formatting services.
Can I publish an ebook and paperback with the same title?
Yes. Create a separate Kindle ebook and paperback project in KDP, using matching title, author, and edition information where appropriate. Amazon can then connect the formats on the same book detail page.
How long does Amazon KDP review take?
Review time changes with KDP volume and the type of update submitted. Check the status in your KDP Bookshelf and consult KDP Help for current guidance rather than planning around a guaranteed timeframe.
What files do I need for a KDP paperback?
You need a print-ready interior PDF and a paperback cover PDF sized for the selected trim size, page count, and paper settings. Use KDP’s previewer to inspect margins, page breaks, and cover alignment before submission.
Can I change my Amazon book price after publication?
Yes, KDP lets you update pricing after the book is live. The update needs processing time, and the royalty shown in KDP should be reviewed again after each pricing change.