Self-publishing with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is open to anyone with a finished manuscript. The platform does not edit, design or promote your book, so the quality of the result depends on how well you prepare. This guide walks through the practical steps in the order you will meet them.

Start with a finished, edited manuscript

Publishing is permanent enough that it pays to wait until your book is ready. At a minimum, that means a structural review, a line edit and a final proofread. If you are unsure which kind of edit you need, our guide to the three kinds of editing explains the differences.

Decide on your formats

Most authors publish an ebook and a paperback. Each format has its own file requirements, so plan both from the start.

Ebook

An ebook is a reflowable file, which means the text adjusts to the reader's screen. It needs clean headings, a working table of contents and a cover image in the right proportions.

Paperback

A paperback needs a print-ready PDF with correct margins and a full wraparound cover that includes the spine. The spine width depends on your page count, so the cover is finished last. Our interior formatting and book cover design services handle both.

Create your account properly

Set up the account in your own name, with your own tax and payment details. Treat the account as a business asset: keep the login private and do not share it with anyone who does not need it. A reputable publishing helper never needs ownership of your account.

Write the details that help readers find you

When you add your book, you enter metadata: title, subtitle, description, keywords and categories. These details affect how readers discover the book and whether they decide to buy it.

  • Description: lead with the problem or the hook, keep paragraphs short and end with a reason to buy.
  • Keywords: think about the phrases a reader would type when looking for a book like yours.
  • Categories: choose the shelves where your ideal reader browses, not the most crowded ones.

Set a sensible price

Royalty rates and pricing rules differ by format and by price range, and the platform can change them. Check the current terms on the platform itself before you decide. Look at similar books in your genre and price within the range readers expect.

Order a proof before you publish

A printed proof shows you things a screen never will: margins that feel tight, text too close to the spine, colours that print darker than expected. It is far cheaper to fix these before the book is live.

Submit and prepare for the first weeks

After you submit, the platform reviews your files before the book goes live. Review times vary, so do not schedule a launch event for the same day. Once the book is live, check that the ebook and paperback listings are linked together and that the description displays as you intended.

If you would rather have an expert check each step, our KDP publishing service prepares your files and listing while you keep your account, your rights and your royalties. Amazon Publication is an independent company and is not affiliated with Amazon or KDP.