Publishing a book on Amazon through KDP is free and takes an afternoon once your files are ready. Here is the whole sequence, in the order KDP asks for it, with the decisions that are hard to undo later flagged along the way.
1 · Create your KDP account
Sign in at kdp.amazon.com and complete your account: your details, a bank account for payments and the tax interview. Royalties are paid about 60 days after the end of each month; direct deposit has no minimum payment. Authors outside the US who do not provide a tax ID have 30% withheld from US sales.
2 · Prepare your files
| Format | Manuscript | Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle eBook | DOCX, KPF (from Kindle Create) or EPUB | A front-cover image |
| Paperback | A print-ready PDF (required if pages have bleed) | A full-wrap PDF: back, spine and front |
| Hardcover | A print-ready PDF | A full-wrap PDF, sized for the case |
Kindle Create is KDP’s free formatting tool, and Cover Creator makes simple covers for free. For a paperback the cover size depends on your page count and paper, so finish the interior first. Cover size calculator.
3 · Enter the book details
- Title and subtitle — together up to 200 characters. No other authors’ names, trademarks, “bestselling” or “free”.
- Description — the first two lines show before “Read more”, so lead with the hook.
- Seven keywords — phrases readers search that are not already in your title. How to fill them.
- Categories — the most specific accurate ones you can find.
- AI disclosure — tell KDP if any text, images or translations are AI-generated.
4 · Upload the content
For print books, choose the ISBN (free from KDP, or your own), trim size, paper and ink. The ISBN, trim size and ink cannot be changed once the book is published (only the paper can be switched between white or cream and groundwood), so decide carefully. Upload the manuscript and cover, then check every page in the previewer. White or cream?
5 · Set the price and royalty
Choose the 35% or 70% plan for the eBook (70% is only available between $2.99 and $12.99 on Amazon.com, and the eBook must be at least 20% cheaper than your print edition). Print books earn 60% at $9.99 or more, 50% below, minus printing. Decide here whether to enrol the eBook in KDP Select.
Free toolBreak-even ACOS for KDPPick the format and royalty, enter your price, get the line your ACOS should stay under.6 · Publish, and how long it takes
| Format | Review time |
|---|---|
| Kindle eBook | Up to 72 hours |
| Paperback and hardcover | Up to 72 hours on Amazon.com, up to 5 days in other marketplaces |
| Low-content books (journals, notebooks) | Up to 10 business days |
7 · Order a proof
Before you tell anyone about a print book, order a proof copy: you pay only the printing cost plus shipping, and holding the real book catches problems no previewer shows. Proof and author copies.
8 · After it is live
- Claim your author page on Amazon Author Central. How.
- Ask early readers for honest reviews.
- Start one automatic Sponsored Products campaign on a modest budget from Promote and Advertise. Step by step.
Common questions
How do I publish a book on Amazon?
Create a KDP account, prepare your manuscript and cover, enter the title, description, keywords and categories, upload the files, set a price and royalty plan, and publish. KDP reviews the book, usually within 72 hours.
Can I publish a book on Amazon for free?
Yes. KDP charges nothing to publish. Printing costs for paperbacks and hardcovers come out of each sale, and ISBNs for print books are free from KDP.
How long does it take to publish on KDP?
Up to 72 hours for eBooks, and up to 72 hours on Amazon.com (5 days elsewhere) for paperbacks and hardcovers. Low-content books can take up to 10 business days.
What file format does KDP accept?
For eBooks, DOCX, KPF or EPUB are recommended. For print, a PDF is best, and a PDF is required if the interior has bleed.
Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon?
Not for Kindle eBooks. Paperbacks and hardcovers need one, and KDP gives you one free, or you can use your own.
- Account first: bank details and the tax interview.
- Finish the interior before the cover — the page count sets the spine width.
- ISBN, trim size and ink cannot be changed after publishing — decide them first.
- Review takes up to 72 hours (5 days for print outside Amazon.com, 10 business days for low-content).
- After launch: author page, honest reviews, and one automatic ad campaign.