How to Publish a Book on Amazon: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Create Your Amazon KDP Account

Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your existing Amazon account or create a new one.

You'll need to provide tax information (W-9 for US authors or W-8BEN for international authors) to receive royalties.

Pro Tip: Use the same email associated with your regular Amazon account for simplicity.

Prepare Your Manuscript

Format your book properly for both eBook (Kindle) and paperback versions:

• Use standard fonts like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Arial
• Set proper margins (at least 0.5 inches for paperbacks)
• Remove headers and footers for eBook version
• Save as DOCX, PDF (for print), or HTML (for Kindle)

Important: Amazon provides free templates for different book sizes on the KDP help pages.

Design Your Book Cover

Create a professional cover that meets Amazon's specifications:

• Use Amazon's cover calculator for exact dimensions
• Ensure high resolution (300 DPI for print)
• Make it legible even as a thumbnail
• Consider hiring a designer from Amazon's list or using their cover creator tool

Remember: Readers DO judge books by their covers, so invest time or money here.

Enter Book Details

Fill in all metadata that helps readers discover your book:

• Title and Subtitle: Make them clear and searchable
• Description: Write compelling sales copy with relevant keywords
• Keywords: 7 keywords that readers might search for
• Categories: Choose 2 categories that best fit your book
• ISBN: Use Amazon's free ISBN or provide your own

Set Pricing and Royalties

Determine your book's price and distribution options:

• eBooks: Between $2.99 and $9.99 for 70% royalty (or 35% outside this range)
• Paperbacks: Price based on printing costs + your royalty
• Select or deselect distribution channels (Amazon only or expanded distribution)
• Consider enrolling in KDP Select for Kindle Unlimited (exclusive to Amazon for 90 days)

Publish Your Book

Review all details and click "Publish Your Kindle eBook" or "Publish Your Paperback Book":

• Use the previewer to check formatting on different devices
• Order a proof copy for paperbacks before publishing
• Once published, your book will be live within 72 hours
• Promote your book using Amazon Author Central and other marketing channels

Congratulations! You've just published a book on Amazon.