You can self-publish on Amazon today for free using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). There are no upfront fees, no gatekeepers, and no inventory to manage. You upload your manuscript, set your price, and Amazon handles printing, distribution, and payment — taking a cut only when your book sells.
This complete KDP guide walks you through every step of how to self-publish on Amazon, from writing your manuscript to collecting your first royalty check.
Write Your Manuscript First
Every successful self-published book starts with a finished, edited manuscript. Before you create a KDP account or think about cover design, the words need to be on the page.
For nonfiction, build a detailed outline organized by chapters and key points. Work through it section by section. For fiction, find a drafting process that fits your style — detailed outline or discovery draft, either works as long as you finish.
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Chapter.pub takes you from idea to finished manuscript in days. It generates structured outlines, writes complete chapters in your voice, and keeps your entire book organized — so you spend time refining your ideas instead of staring at a blank page.
Best for: Nonfiction authors who want a polished draft fast Pricing: $97 one-time Why we built it: Most aspiring authors never finish writing. Chapter fixes the blank-page problem so you can get to publishing.
Once your draft is done, edit it at least twice. A developmental pass catches structural problems — chapters that repeat, arguments that drift, missing transitions. A copyedit pass catches grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. You can hire a freelance editor through Reedsy or the Editorial Freelancers Association, or use a combination of AI tools and human review.
Create Your Free KDP Account
Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with an existing Amazon account or create a new one. Account setup takes about 15 minutes.
You will need to complete three items before publishing:
Author/publisher information. Enter your legal name or a pen name. This appears on your book’s Amazon product page. You can publish under different pen names for different books — KDP supports multiple author identities from a single account.
Payment information. Add your bank account details so Amazon can deposit royalties. Payments arrive monthly, approximately 60 days after each sale. Amazon supports direct deposit in most major countries.
Tax information. Complete the tax interview within your KDP dashboard. US-based authors fill out a W-9. International authors fill out a W-8BEN. This step is required before Amazon will release any earnings.
Format Your Manuscript for Upload
KDP accepts different file formats depending on the book type:
| Format | Ebook | Paperback | Hardcover |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPUB | Yes | No | No |
| DOCX | Yes | Yes (converted to PDF) | Yes (converted to PDF) |
| KPF (Kindle Create) | Yes | Yes | No |
| No | Yes (recommended) | Yes (recommended) |
For ebooks, EPUB is the recommended format because it reflows text cleanly across different Kindle devices and screen sizes. For paperbacks and hardcovers, a properly formatted PDF gives you the most control over layout.
Key formatting requirements:
- Trim size: The most common US book size is 6” x 9”. KDP supports multiple trim sizes ranging from 5” x 8” to 8.5” x 11”.
- Margins: Minimum 0.25 inches on outside edges, with inside (gutter) margins increasing based on page count — thicker books need wider gutters.
- Images: All images must be at least 300 DPI. Amazon recommends staying under 600 DPI to avoid processing delays.
- Fonts: Embed all fonts in your file before uploading. Unembedded fonts can cause display errors.
- Page count: Minimum 24 pages for print books.
If you need help with formatting, KDP offers free manuscript templates in Microsoft Word. You can also use Kindle Create, Amazon’s free formatting tool, though it works best for text-heavy books without complex tables or images. For a deeper walkthrough, see our guide on how to format a book for Kindle.
Design a Professional Book Cover
Your cover is the first thing shoppers see in Amazon search results, and it directly impacts click-through rates. A bad cover signals an amateur book, no matter how good the writing is.
Ebook cover specifications:
- JPEG or TIFF format
- Minimum 1,000 pixels on the shortest side
- Ideal dimensions: 2,560 x 1,600 pixels (1.6:1 ratio)
Print cover specifications:
- Full wrap design (front, spine, and back) as a single PDF
- Use the KDP Cover Calculator to get exact dimensions based on your page count and trim size
- 300 DPI minimum for all images
- Include a barcode area on the back cover — KDP adds the barcode automatically if you leave the space
You have three main options for getting a cover made:
- Hire a professional designer. Platforms like 99designs and Reedsy connect you with book cover designers. Expect to pay $200-$600 for a quality custom cover.
- Use an AI cover generator. Several tools can generate professional-looking covers quickly. Check our roundup of AI book cover generators for current options.
- Use the KDP Cover Creator. Amazon’s built-in tool is free but limited. It works in a pinch for simple nonfiction covers, but most authors outgrow it quickly.
For detailed cover design advice, see our full guide on how to design a book cover.
Enter Your Book Details and Metadata
When you click “Create New Title” in your KDP dashboard, you will fill out three pages of details. These fields control how your book appears in Amazon search results and on its product page.
Title and subtitle. Your title should be clear and searchable. For nonfiction, include a subtitle that describes the benefit or scope of the book. Titles and subtitles cannot be changed after your book is published without potentially losing reviews, so get these right.
Description. You get up to 4,000 characters to sell your book. Amazon supports basic HTML formatting — use <b> for bold, <br> for line breaks, and <ul>/<li> for bullet points. Lead with the hook that makes a reader want to buy. If you need help crafting this section, our guide on how to write a book description that sells covers the formula.
Keywords. You can enter up to seven keyword phrases. These influence where your book appears in Amazon searches. Use specific, relevant phrases — “memoir writing guide for beginners” performs better than “writing.” For keyword strategy, see our guide on Amazon keywords for books.
Categories. Choose up to three BISAC categories that best describe your book. Categories determine which bestseller lists your book can rank on. Picking a niche category with less competition can help a new book land a bestseller badge faster. Our guide on how to choose Amazon book categories walks through the strategy.
Get an ISBN (or Use Amazon’s Free One)
For ebooks, ISBNs are optional — Amazon assigns a free ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) that works the same way within its ecosystem.
For paperbacks and hardcovers, you have two options:
- Free KDP ISBN. Amazon provides a free ISBN during the publishing setup. The tradeoff: this ISBN is tied to Amazon and cannot be used on other platforms like IngramSpark or Barnes & Noble Press.
- Purchase your own ISBN. Buy from Bowker (the official US ISBN agency) for $125 each or $295 for a pack of 10. Your own ISBN lets you distribute the same print edition across multiple platforms and lists you as the publisher of record.
If you plan to sell exclusively through Amazon, the free ISBN is perfectly fine. If you want to distribute on multiple platforms, invest in your own.
Set Your Price and Royalty Rate
Pricing directly affects your earnings, your book’s perceived value, and your eligibility for the 70% royalty rate. Get this step right.
Ebook Royalties
KDP offers two royalty tiers for ebooks:
| Royalty Option | Your Cut | Price Range | Delivery Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70% | 70% of list price | $2.99 – $9.99 | $0.15 per MB |
| 35% | 35% of list price | $0.99 – $200 | None |
Most authors should price between $2.99 and $9.99 to qualify for the 70% royalty rate. The sweet spot for most indie books is $4.99 — high enough to signal quality, low enough for impulse purchases.
Print Royalties
Since June 2025, Amazon uses a tiered print royalty structure:
- 60% royalty for books priced at $9.99 or above
- 50% royalty for books priced below $9.99
The formula: (List Price x Royalty Rate) minus Printing Cost equals your royalty. Printing costs depend on page count, trim size, ink type, and paper color. Use the KDP Royalty Calculator to model your exact earnings before setting a price.
Example: A 200-page, 6” x 9” black-and-white paperback priced at $16.99 earns roughly $6.79 per sale after printing costs.
Publish Your Book and Go Live
Before clicking publish, use the KDP Previewer to check how your book looks on different devices. For print books, order a proof copy — do not skip this step. Screen rendering and physical printing always look different.
Once you hit “Publish,” Amazon reviews your book. This usually takes 24–72 hours. During review, Amazon checks for content policy compliance, formatting issues, and cover requirements. If something needs fixing, you will get an email with specific instructions.
After approval, your book goes live on Amazon and appears in search results. The product page takes a few days to fully populate with features like “Look Inside” preview.
Decide on KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited
After publishing your ebook, Amazon gives you the option to enroll in KDP Select. Here is what that means:
What you get: Your ebook is included in Kindle Unlimited (KU), where subscribers can read it for free. You earn money based on pages read from the KDP Select Global Fund, which totaled $61.7 million in February 2026. You also get access to promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions.
What it costs: Exclusivity. Your ebook cannot be available on any other digital platform (Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, etc.) for the 90-day enrollment period.
Who should enroll: Authors in popular KU genres like romance, thriller, sci-fi, and fantasy often earn more through page reads than direct sales. Nonfiction authors with books priced above $9.99 typically earn more from direct sales and may prefer wide distribution.
Launch and Market Your Book
Publishing is step one. Without a launch strategy, your book competes against millions of titles with zero momentum. Here are the basics:
Build your book’s product page. Write a compelling description, choose the right categories, and add relevant keywords. First impressions drive conversions on Amazon.
Run Amazon Ads. Amazon’s advertising platform lets you target readers searching for books like yours. Start with a small daily budget ($5-$10) and automatic targeting, then refine based on performance data. Our guide on Amazon ads for authors covers setup and strategy.
Get early reviews. Reviews build social proof. Send advance copies to beta readers, friends, colleagues, or your email list. Aim for at least 10-20 reviews in your first month.
Use a launch promotion. Consider a temporary price drop, Kindle Countdown Deal (if enrolled in KDP Select), or a free promotion period to build initial ranking momentum.
For a complete marketing strategy, see our guide on how to market a self-published book.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping professional editing. Readers leave one-star reviews for typos and grammatical errors. Budget for at least a copyedit.
- Using a homemade cover. A cover that screams “self-published” kills sales before anyone reads your description. Invest in professional design.
- Pricing too low. A $0.99 ebook earns $0.35 per sale at the 35% rate. Unless you are running a specific promotional strategy, price for the 70% tier.
- Ignoring metadata. Keywords and categories are how readers find your book on Amazon. Spend time researching these instead of guessing.
- Publishing and forgetting. Books do not sell themselves. Plan ongoing marketing, even if it is just consistent Amazon Ads and occasional promotions.
FAQ
How much does it cost to self-publish on Amazon?
Nothing upfront. KDP is free to use. Amazon makes money by taking a percentage of each sale. Your only costs are what you choose to invest in editing, cover design, and marketing. For a detailed cost breakdown, see our guide on Amazon self-publishing costs.
How long does it take to publish a book on Amazon KDP?
Once your manuscript and cover are uploaded, Amazon’s review process takes 24–72 hours. The total timeline depends on how long writing, editing, and formatting take. Many authors using AI writing tools complete a book in 1–2 weeks.
Can I publish AI-written books on Amazon?
Yes, but you must disclose AI-assisted content during the publishing process. Amazon requires authors to indicate whether AI tools were used to generate text or images. As long as you disclose and the content meets quality standards, AI-assisted books are allowed. See our guide on Amazon KDP AI books rules for current policies.
Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon?
Not for ebooks — Amazon assigns a free ASIN. For print books, KDP offers a free ISBN, or you can purchase your own from Bowker if you want to distribute across multiple platforms. Our free ISBN guide explains the tradeoffs.
How much money can I make self-publishing on Amazon?
Earnings vary wildly. A $4.99 ebook at 70% royalty earns about $3.44 per sale. A $16.99 paperback earns roughly $5-7 per sale depending on page count. Some self-published authors earn six figures annually, while others sell a handful of copies. Consistent publishing, strong metadata, and active marketing are the biggest factors. See our guide on how to make money self-publishing for realistic expectations.
