{"id":853,"date":"2026-05-12T06:16:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/?p=853"},"modified":"2026-05-12T06:16:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:16:07","slug":"how-do-i-self-publish-a-book-on-amazon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/how-do-i-self-publish-a-book-on-amazon\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Self Publish A Book On Amazon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is the dream of many writers to reach a wide audience and share their voice, emotions, and stories in a meaningful way. Authors are now opting for Amazon Kindle Publishing for this purpose, as it connects with millions of readers across the globe. Most of them are still confused about the process of self-publishing a book on Amazon. In this blog, you will learn and understand the requirements and process to publish a book on Amazon KDP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Self-publishing a book is a great way to get your book out there for potential readers to find. Whether you want to sell ebooks or printed ones, Amazon is the perfect and easy platform to publish and sell your books to a wider audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>What Is Amazon KDP?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is a platform by Amazon for authors who want to self-publish their books. It allows authors from all over the world to self publish a book in digital, hardcover, or paperback formats without any upfront publishing cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Amazon KDP platform gives the author full control over the book, including uploading manuscripts, setting prices, and choosing distribution options. Once the book is published, readers can purchase it globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Who Can Publish On Amazon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone around the world can easily publish their books on Amazon, as long as the following conditions are met:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They have not signed any exclusive publishing with any platform or publisher.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are the legal author of the book and have all the publishing rights of the book.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The book should not be enrolled in any exclusivity program.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If all the above conditions are met successfully, then the author can publish their book on Amazon, even if it has been previously published on any other platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>What Kind Of Books You Can Publish On Amazon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amazon KDP allows a wide variety of people to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-get-a-book-published\/\">get a book published<\/a> with multiple genres and categories across multiple languages. Some of them are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fiction (novel, thriller, romance, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-fiction (business, self-help, education, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Poetry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Children&#8217;s book<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Journals and notebooks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urdu books<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Step-By-Step Process To Self-Publish On Amazon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a simple, easy process breakdown into 7 steps for self-publishing a book on Amazon KDP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Create Your KDP Accounts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Go to KDP Amazon and click on &#8220;Join KDP,&#8221; then set up your account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you already have an account on Amazon, then you don&#8217;t need to recreate a separate account. Just sign in to your account with the login credentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once your account is created, add all your details, including your identity and payment information. You can simply do it by clicking on &#8220;Your Account&#8221; at the top of the page. If the tax information is required, then fill in all the information to complete this step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Prepare Your Files<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are now required to prepare your files, including your manuscript and the cover of your book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Format your book by using MS Word or Canva and set the file type correctly, epub for ebooks and PDF for file printing. Craft a professional cover using the free Amazon cover creator tool or hire a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/illustration-book-cover\">book cover illustration service<\/a>, ensuring it meets Amazon&#8217;s specifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fill Your Book Details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now you are ready to publish your book. Go to &#8220;My Shelf&#8221;,  and click on &#8220;Create a new title or series&#8221;. Choose a book format: ebook, hardcover, or paperback. You are required to fill out some details that include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The language of a book<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The title and the subtitle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is your book a part of a series<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is it a new edition? (if not, then leave it blank.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Author name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Names of other contributors, like illustrators and editors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your book description<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your book description should be short and interesting and include relevant keywords to accurately define a book, like &#8220;science fiction story,&#8221; &#8220;adventure novel,&#8221; or &#8220;biography.&#8221; It can help readers to find your book easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Choose Categories And Keywords<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This step is crucial as it helps Amazon to show your book to the right readers. When you are choosing the keywords and categories, ensure to keep the following points in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You can pick up to 3 categories and 7 keywords.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose the relevant category for your book that is not too competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a look at a similar book of yours and check which category they are using.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pick the keywords that people are actually searching.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use long and specific phrases (long-tail keywords) to reach the right audience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose whether you are publishing your book immediately or setting it for pre-order to build interest and excitement before the launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Upload Your Files<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you have entered and saved your book details, it is time to upload your manuscript. Amazon only allows the formats of .doc and .docx, MOBI, HTML, and epub to upload your book easily. You are also required to upload your book cover. Once you get it done, save it and continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Set Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are different royalty rates on Amazon KDP for books and printed books. The printed books can get upto 60% of royalty rates; ebook royalty depends on the price: 70% for the price between $2.99 and $9.99, while 35% fo outside this range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amazon will show your estimated earnings, deducting a small delivery fee. You just need to set the price for one marketplace, and Amazon will convert it for the other countries. You can also set different prices for different marketplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Publish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before publishing your book on Amazon, check and review all the details and change anything that needs to be edited. You can edit your book later, but it is beneficial to fix all the mistakes before publishing. Once done, publish it or submit for pre-order. Your book will be live on Amazon within 72 hours, or in some countries it takes 5 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Amazon Formatting Requirements For Book Publishing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amazon has set specific guidelines for ebooks and printed books. To successfully publish your book, it is crucial to read and understand all the guidelines carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>\u25cf&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ebook Formatting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ebook on Kindle Amazon has its basic formatting guidelines that include clear chapter titles, page breaks between chapters, consistent spacing, and simple, readable fonts. Ebooks can be adjusted on different devices, so avoid complex layouts, page numbers, and headers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>\u25cf&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Print Books<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amazon has its specific requirements for the paperback books, including proper page size (trim size), margins, spacing, and overall layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Mistakes You Should Avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the common mistakes that authors often make that can become a barrier to their book&#8217;s success, whether choosing a self-publishing or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/book-publishing\">book publishing service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Designing cover early:<\/strong> Cover is the wrapping of the book that is wrapped around the book, which is the last thing needed to be done.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Forgetting bleeds and margins:<\/strong> These are the crucial parts, and Amazon KDP suggests keeping the margin size (0.25&#8243;).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exporting files with resolution:<\/strong> It is required to set the file with at least 300 DPI, or it will be flagged with poor print quality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What is KDP Select?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">KDP is a 90-day enrollment, optional program that makes your book exclusive to Amazon, so you cannot sell it on other platforms. It will also be added to Kindle Unlimited, so you will get paid per page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What does it cost to self-publish a book on Amazon?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Publishing on Amazon KDP is totally free. It only takes a small delivery charge for the ebook, and the printing cost will be deducted from the sales of the paperback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What are the royalty rates on Amazon?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your ebook costs $2.99 to $9.99, then you can get 70% royalties, but outside this range, you will get 35%. The printed books can offer you generally upto 60% royalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How do I get paid?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You just enter all your bank account information on Amazon, and you will get paid monthly into your bank account and other methods, depending on your location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amazon KDP is the best self-publishing platform for book authors to reach a wide audience without any upfront cost. Writers can publish their books in a wide variety of languages and genres on Amazon, making it the best platform for both new and experienced authors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone can publish their books on Amazon KDP who has not signed an exclusivity program with any platform and has the legal ownership of the book. Every type of book can be published on Amazon, including fiction, non-fiction, children&#8217;s books, Urdu books, journals, and poetry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow the right steps to publish a book. First, set up a KDP account, prepare your files including manuscript and covers, and fill in all your book details. Choose the right category and keywords, upload your files, set the prices, and publish them. Amazon has specific requirements for paperback books and basic formatting for ebooks. Common mistakes to avoid in Amazon KDP publishing include designing the cover too early, forgetting margins, and exporting files at low resolution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is the dream of many writers to reach a wide audience and share their voice, emotions, and stories in a meaningful way&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":854,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-publishing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=853"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":855,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/853\/revisions\/855"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishbookdesign.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}