Last updated 2026-08-12 · Complete guide for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Step 1 — Write and edit your manuscript
Step 2 — Format your book
Step 3 — Design a print-ready cover
Step 4 — Create your KDP account
Step 5 — Upload and choose royalty options
Step 6 — Price your book
Step 7 — Publish and choose distribution
Step 8 — Promote and track earnings
Your book can be anything from a 10-page guide to a 500-page novel. The two routes that work best on Amazon:
Professional editing costs $300–$1,500, but many successful first books are published after a self-edit plus an AI or friend pass. What matters most at this stage is finishing — a published book earns, a perfect draft doesn't.
Wondering about the total budget? See how much self-publishing really costs.
KDP accepts Word documents, PDFs, and common ebook formats. For ebooks, KDP converts your file automatically — keep it simple with clean headings and minimal styling.
For paperbacks, formatting rules matter:
Formatting tools range from free (Word, Reedsy) to one-time paid (Atticus $147, Vellum $250) — worth it if you publish multiple books.
A good cover is the #1 factor in clicks. Your options:
Whatever you choose, the final file must be 300 DPI with correct bleed and spine width for your page count. A wrong cover = rejected upload.
Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with any Amazon account (or create one free). You'll need:
This setup takes about 15 minutes and is done once.
In your KDP dashboard click Create → Kindle eBook or Paperback, fill in the title, description and keywords, then upload your files.
Royalty choice is the key money decision:
Run the numbers before choosing: use the KDP royalty calculator to compare 35% vs 70% and see your real per-copy profit.
Pricing strategy in 2026:
Amazon runs frequent countdown deals and free-book promotions for KDP Select titles — a $0.99 promo week early on can kick-start reviews and rankings.
Before hitting publish, decide on KDP Select (exclusive to Amazon):
If you enroll in KDP Select, a big part of your income becomes per-page reads (KENP) — estimate your Kindle Unlimited earnings and track the monthly KENP rate.
After submitting, Amazon reviews the files (usually 24–72 hours) and the book goes live automatically.
Launch checklist that costs little:
Track everything monthly — sales royalties, KENP income, and what the monthly rate did to your KU earnings. Many authors find KU page reads quietly outperform sales.
Low-content books are the fastest route to a first published title: no writing, no editing, just a reusable interior. Costs are basically a cover ($0–$30) and formatting. Niche planners (teachers, nurses, real-estate agents, therapists) still sell at $6.99–$14.99 in 2026.
Competition is heavy at the top, but specific niches with a clear buyer (e.g. "student teacher planner", "rental property manager log") keep working at the long tail.
How much does it cost to publish a book on Amazon?
Free to publish. Printing costs for paperbacks are deducted per sale; optional costs are editing, cover design and marketing.
Do I need an ISBN?
No — KDP provides a free ISBN for Amazon-exclusive sales. Buy your own only if you plan to sell elsewhere.
How long does approval take?
Usually 24–72 hours after upload.
How much royalty does KDP pay?
On Amazon.com, ebooks: 70% at $2.99–$12.99 (minus delivery), otherwise 35%. Paperbacks: 60% minus printing cost on Amazon.
Can I publish both ebook and paperback?
Yes — and linking them in KDP lets readers choose formats, boosting both.
KENP Earnings Calculator — what Kindle Unlimited reads are worth
Royalty Calculator — 35% vs 70%, ebook and print
Print Cost Calculator — your exact printing cost and minimum price
Self-Publishing Cost — the real budget before you start
Publish on Amazon for Free — what is free and what is optional
Publish and Make Money — pricing, catalog and launch economics
Royalty and printing rules verified against current KDP Help on 2026-08-12. Pricing and promotion tactics reflect current 2026 author practice.