Publishing a book on Amazon through KDP is free to start and quite manageable, but there are many small decisions and it is easy to rush the ones that matter. This is an overview of the steps in a sensible order. Details such as exact sizes and rules change, so use KDP's own help pages for current specifics as you go.
1. Finish the book properly
Before you open KDP, make sure the manuscript is finished: revised, edited and proofread. Once readers have a book, mistakes are hard to take back. Build time for this stage into your plan.
Decide which formats you will release: ebook, paperback, or both. Many authors start with both.
2. Prepare the files
You need a formatted interior for each format and a cover for each. The ebook cover is a single front image. The paperback cover is a wraparound file that depends on page count and paper. Have all of these ready before you start the upload.
3. Set up your KDP account
Create an account and complete the payment and tax information. This can take a little time to verify, so do it early. Use your real legal details, because they are checked.
4. Enter the book's details
On your bookshelf, add a new title and fill in the details. These choices help readers find and judge the book.
- Title, subtitle and series information, matching the cover.
- Author name, as you want it to appear.
- A description that sells the book to the right reader.
- Categories and keywords chosen with care.
- Language, publication date, and the age range if relevant.
5. Decide on the ISBN and rights
Print books need an ISBN. KDP can supply one, or you can use your own, which gives you more control over the publisher name. Read the current terms before choosing, because the trade-offs affect where you can distribute the book.
Confirm that you hold the rights to everything in the book, including images and quotations.
6. Upload and preview
Upload the interior and the cover, then use the online previewer on every page. Fix anything it flags. Do not skip this step, and read the whole thing on screen.
For a paperback, order a printed proof copy before you release it. A physical proof catches things that a screen will not.
7. Choose pricing and enrolment
Set a price in each market. KDP explains the royalty options for each format, and the rates and conditions depend on the price you choose and on where the book is sold. Also decide whether to enrol the ebook in KDP Select, which has exclusivity conditions you should read carefully before agreeing.
8. Publish, then keep going
Publishing is the start of the work, not the end. Share the link, ask early readers for honest reviews, set up your author page, and keep an eye on how readers find the book. Adjust your description, categories and keywords as you learn.
If you would rather have help, Marlowe's Amazon KDP publishing service handles the setup, from the listing to the final checks.