How to publish a book on Amazon: A step-by-step guide

Are you a writer looking to self-publish? Here's everything you need to know about how to publish a book on Amazon.

Book publishing on Amazon is a relatively straightforward process with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (also known as Amazon KDP), Amazon's self-publishing arm. Whether you've written a non-fiction book, children’s book, or the next great novel, this guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to self-publish on Amazon and start earning money from your book sales.

Requirements for publishing a book on Amazon

Before you publish your first book on Amazon, you need to have a few things ready:

• Book content — Your manuscript should be edited and proofread thoroughly. It should be formatted correctly for either print or Kindle eBook.
• Book cover — A well-designed cover can make a significant difference in attracting readers. Amazon KDP provides a Cover Creator tool with templates, or you can hire a professional designer.
• Book details — You need a compelling book title, subtitle, and book description to intrigue potential readers. For print books, an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is required.
• Amazon account — If you don't already have one, create an Amazon account to use KDP.

Publishing with Amazon KDP

While authors could previously self-publish on Amazon with CreateSpace, this platform has been phased out in favor of Kindle Direct Publishing as of 2018.

Follow this step-by-step guide to publish your own book with Amazon KDP:

1. Create a KDP account

Navigate to kdp.amazon.com and log in with your Amazon account. Complete the required tax information and set up your bank account details for royalty payments.

2. Create a new Kindle eBook or paperback

Click on “Create a new Kindle eBook” or “Create a new Paperback” on your KDP Bookshelf.

3. Enter book details

Input your book title, author name, description, and other details. Include keywords that help readers find your book on Amazon's search engine.

4. Upload manuscript and cover

Convert your print or eBook manuscript to a Kindle-friendly format (like EPUB or HTML), or use Kindle Create, a free tool from Amazon. For the cover, use KDP's Cover Creator or upload your custom-designed cover.

5. Set a list price

Determine your book's price, considering printing costs for paperbacks. KDP provides a calculator to estimate potential royalties based on your list price.

6. Publish your book

Review all the information on the details page. Once you're satisfied, click 'Publish Your Kindle eBook' or “Publish Your Paperback Book.” Amazon usually takes 24-72 hours to review and make new books available on the Kindle Store.

After publishing, create your Amazon Author Page

Creating and adding information to your Amazon Author Page is a crucial step in establishing your presence on the platform. This is handled through Amazon's Author Central service. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to add information to your author page:

1. Sign up for Author Central

The first step is to create an account on Amazon Author Central. Navigate to the Author Central website and sign in with your existing Amazon.com account or create a new one.

2. Claim your book

Once you're signed in, you'll need to claim your book. Search for your book by title or ISBN and click "This is my book." Once Amazon approves your request, your book will appear in your Author Central account.

3. Add author information

On your Author Central page, click on the "Profile" tab. Here, you can add or edit your author bio, add a professional author photo, list your official website or blog, and link to your social media profiles. Providing detailed and interesting information about yourself helps readers get to know you and can lead to increased book sales and followers.

4. Add more books

If you have more books published, make sure to claim all of them so they appear on your author page. This allows readers to see all your work in one place.

5. Preview your page

Amazon Author Central allows you to preview your page before it goes live. Make sure everything looks correct and professional.

6. Publish your page

Once you're satisfied with all the information and how it looks, publish your author page. It will then be visible to all Amazon users.

7. Keep information up-to-date

Ensure all your information is up-to-date, including your biography, contact information, and listed books. If you have a new book release, make sure to add it promptly.

8. Interact with readers

You can use the Blog and Events sections to update readers about new books, share your writing process, or notify them about any upcoming book signing events or appearances.

Remember, your Author Central page is a reflection of you as a writer. It's a powerful marketing tool that, when used correctly, can greatly enhance your visibility and credibility with readers on Amazon.

Costs and earnings for publishing Amazon books

Amazon KDP is a print-on-demand service, meaning a book is printed only when ordered. Therefore, there are no upfront costs. For e-books, Amazon deducts a delivery fee based on the file size.

Royalty rates are 35% or 70% for eBooks, depending on the list price. For paperbacks, you receive 60% royalties minus printing costs. You can also enroll in KDP Select, a program that includes your book in Kindle Unlimited, allowing you to earn money for every page subscribers read.

Finding a publisher vs. self-publishing

Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to publishing houses or agents. However, this process can be lengthy and challenging, particularly for first-time authors.

Self-publishing on Amazon provides an easier route. It gives you complete control over your book content, cover design, and book pricing, plus a higher royalty rate than traditional publishing.

Maximizing your earnings

To make more money with Amazon self-publishing:

• Marketing — Promote your book through social media, author websites, and other platforms.
• KDP Select — Enroll in KDP Select to gain access to promotional opportunities and earn higher royalties through Kindle Unlimited.
• Audiobook — Consider creating an audiobook version for another revenue stream.

With Amazon KDP, self-published authors have a powerful tool at their fingertips. While the journey may be daunting, especially for new authors, the opportunity to share your stories with readers worldwide and make money in the process can be well worth it.

Creating an audiobook

Creating an audiobook involves several steps. First, you'll need a clean, edited version of your manuscript, as this will form the script for your audiobook. You can choose to narrate the book yourself or hire a professional voice actor—platforms like ACX can help you find the right fit. If you're narrating, you'll need a quiet space to record and quality recording equipment. You can also use AI voiceover generators like Speechify Voice Over Studio.

Once the recording is complete, the audio files will require editing for clarity and consistency. This step might involve removing background noise, adjusting pace, or correcting pronunciation mistakes. Finally, you'll need to format your audiobook according to the specifications of the platform you're using for distribution, such as ACX for Amazon and Audible. It's also important to note that, just like your print or e-book, your audiobook will need a compelling cover design.

Turn your self-published books into audiobooks with Speechify Voice Over Studio

Once you’ve written your book and you’re ready to publish it, you can reach even more readers by turning it into an audiobook. Self-published authors now have a great tool to help them create high-quality audiobooks without paying for expensive voice actors thanks to Speechify Voice Over Studio.

With over 120 natural-sounding voices in more than 20 different languages and accents, the platform allows users to create lifelike voiceovers in seconds with the help of detailed customization options and a user-friendly interface. Users also enjoy 100 hours of voice generation per year, unlimited downloads and uploads, fast audio editing and processing, commercial usage rights, and 24/7 customer support.

Create your next audiobook with Speechify Voice Over Studio.