Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the world's largest self-publishing platform, giving independent authors access to hundreds of millions of potential readers across every Amazon marketplace on the planet. Whether you want to publish a novel, a how-to guide, a cookbook, or a children's book, KDP lets you do it for free.
This guide walks you through every step of the KDP publishing process, from creating your account to seeing your book go live on Amazon. We cover manuscript formatting, cover specifications, pricing strategies, royalty structures, and the KDP Select program. By the end, you will have everything you need to publish your first book.
What Is Amazon KDP?
Kindle Direct Publishing is Amazon's self-service publishing platform. Launched in 2007 as a way for authors to publish Kindle ebooks, it has since expanded to include paperback and hardcover print-on-demand options. KDP is used by millions of authors worldwide, from first-time writers to bestselling independents earning six and seven figures annually.
Here is what makes KDP compelling:
- Free to use: There are no setup fees, no listing fees, and no subscription costs. You pay nothing until your book sells, at which point Amazon takes its cut from the sale price.
- Global distribution: Your book becomes available on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.jp, and every other Amazon marketplace. That is access to readers in over 100 countries.
- Print-on-demand: Paperbacks and hardcovers are printed only when ordered. No inventory, no upfront printing costs, no boxes of unsold books.
- Fast publishing: Ebooks typically go live within 5-24 hours of submission. Print books take 24-72 hours for the initial review.
- Full control: You set your own price, write your own description, choose your own categories, and can update your content at any time.
Step 1: Create Your KDP Account
To get started, go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your existing Amazon account, or create a new one. Once logged in, you will need to complete your account setup:
- Author/publisher information: Enter your legal name (or pen name) and address. This information is used for tax and payment purposes and is not displayed publicly unless you choose to.
- Payment information: Add a bank account where Amazon will deposit your royalties. KDP pays monthly, approximately 60 days after the end of each month. For example, January royalties are paid around the end of March.
- Tax information: Complete the tax interview. If you are a US resident, you will fill out a W-9. International authors complete a W-8BEN. This step is required before you can publish. If your country has a tax treaty with the US, you may be eligible for reduced withholding rates.
Tip: Use your real legal name for the tax interview even if you plan to publish under a pen name. Your legal name is kept private by Amazon and is only used for tax and payment purposes. Your pen name goes on the book itself.
Step 2: Prepare Your Manuscript
KDP accepts several manuscript formats, but the quality of your published book depends heavily on which format you use and how well it is prepared.
Recommended: EPUB Format
EPUB is the industry-standard ebook format, and it is our strong recommendation for Kindle publishing. A well-structured EPUB file gives you the best results because:
- It produces clean, reflowable text that looks good on every Kindle device and app
- The table of contents is generated from the document structure, ensuring proper navigation
- Images, fonts, and styling are embedded in the file
- Amazon converts EPUB to their internal KPF format with high fidelity
Also Accepted: DOCX, PDF, KPF
- DOCX (Microsoft Word): Acceptable for simple text-heavy books. Amazon converts it to Kindle format automatically, but the conversion can sometimes produce unexpected formatting issues. Use simple formatting: standard fonts, minimal manual spacing, and Word's built-in heading styles for chapter titles.
- PDF: Only recommended for print editions, not ebooks. PDF ebooks do not reflow on different screen sizes, making them difficult to read on phones and small Kindle devices.
- KPF (Kindle Package Format): Created using Amazon's free Kindle Create tool. Good for fixed-layout books like cookbooks or children's books with heavy visual elements.
Manuscript Checklist
Before uploading, make sure your manuscript includes:
- A title page with your book title and author name
- A copyright page with year and rights information
- A table of contents with working hyperlinks (for ebooks)
- Properly structured chapters using heading styles
- Page breaks between chapters
- Images in JPEG or PNG format, at least 300 DPI for print editions
If formatting feels overwhelming, DraftZero generates publication-ready EPUB files automatically. You can go from an idea to a formatted manuscript in minutes. Learn more in our guide to creating ebooks with zero technical knowledge.
Step 3: Create Your Book Cover
Your cover is the single most important marketing asset for your book. On Amazon, it is the first thing readers see, and it determines whether they click on your listing or scroll past it.
Cover Specifications
| Specification | Ebook | Paperback |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended dimensions | 1600 x 2560 pixels | Varies by trim size (use KDP calculator) |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.6 | Depends on trim size + spine width |
| Minimum dimensions | 625 x 1000 pixels | Varies |
| File format | JPEG or TIFF | PDF (with bleed) or JPEG/TIFF |
| Color space | RGB | CMYK recommended for print |
| Maximum file size | 50 MB | 650 MB |
For ebooks, the ideal cover size is 1600 x 2560 pixels at 300 DPI. This gives Amazon enough resolution for high-quality display on all devices, from phone screens to tablets. Remember that your cover will often be displayed as a thumbnail, so the title needs to be legible even at small sizes. Use bold, clear fonts and avoid cluttering the design with too many elements.
Cover Design Options
- KDP Cover Creator (free): Amazon's built-in tool offers basic templates. Acceptable for getting started but limited in customization.
- Canva ($0-$13/month): Popular graphic design tool with book cover templates. Good results with some design effort.
- Professional designer ($200-$1,500): Hire a freelance cover designer for the best results. Worth the investment if you are serious about sales.
- AI-generated covers: Newer AI image tools can create professional-looking cover concepts. These often need refinement by a designer but can serve as excellent starting points.
Step 4: Set Up Your Book Details
When you create a new title on KDP, you will fill in several fields that determine how your book appears in Amazon's store and search results.
Title and Subtitle
Your title should be clear, compelling, and include relevant keywords for discoverability. The subtitle is an opportunity to add additional keywords and clarify what the book is about. For nonfiction, a descriptive subtitle is especially important. For example: "Sourdough Mastery: A Complete Guide to Baking Artisan Bread at Home."
Book Description
You get up to 4,000 characters for your book description. This is your sales page, so make it count. Use HTML formatting (bold, italic, line breaks) to make it scannable. Start with a hook, describe what the reader will get from the book, include social proof if you have it, and end with a call to action.
Keywords
KDP allows you to enter seven keywords or keyword phrases. These help Amazon's algorithm surface your book in relevant searches. Research what your target readers are searching for. Think about specific topics, problems, and phrases your audience uses. Avoid keyword stuffing or using irrelevant popular terms, as this can hurt your visibility.
Categories
You can select up to three browse categories for your book. Choosing the right categories is crucial for visibility and bestseller rankings. A book ranked #1 in a niche category gets a "Best Seller" badge, which significantly boosts clicks and sales. Research your category options carefully and choose categories where you can realistically compete.
Step 5: Pricing and Royalties
KDP offers two royalty options for ebooks, and understanding the difference is essential for maximizing your earnings.
35% Royalty Option
- Available for books priced $0.99 - $200.00
- No delivery cost deducted
- Available in all KDP territories
- Best for: very short books, loss-leader pricing, or books priced under $2.99
70% Royalty Option
- Available for books priced $2.99 - $9.99
- A small delivery cost is deducted (based on file size, typically $0.01-$0.15)
- Available in select territories (US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, NL, JP, BR, MX, CA, IN, AU)
- Best for: most books. The higher royalty rate more than compensates for the delivery cost
| List Price | 35% Royalty | 70% Royalty | Best Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.99 | $0.35 | Not available | 35% (only option) |
| $2.99 | $1.05 | ~$2.05 | 70% |
| $4.99 | $1.75 | ~$3.44 | 70% |
| $9.99 | $3.50 | ~$6.93 | 70% |
| $14.99 | $5.25 | Not available | 35% (only option) |
For most authors, the $2.99-$9.99 price range with 70% royalties is the sweet spot. You earn roughly double per sale compared to the 35% option, and this price range aligns with reader expectations for ebooks.
Print Book Pricing
For paperbacks and hardcovers, KDP calculates a minimum list price based on your book's page count, trim size, ink type (black-and-white or color), and marketplace. Your royalty is 60% of the list price minus the printing cost. Use KDP's pricing calculator to model different scenarios before setting your price.
Step 6: Publish and Wait for Review
Once you have uploaded your manuscript, cover, filled in your book details, and set your price, click "Publish Your Kindle eBook" (or paperback/hardcover). Amazon will review your submission to ensure it meets their content guidelines.
- Ebook review: Typically 5-24 hours. Most ebooks go live within 12 hours.
- Print book review: Usually 24-72 hours for the first submission. Subsequent updates are faster.
- What Amazon checks: Content policy compliance, cover quality, formatting issues, and metadata accuracy. Books with public domain content or very short page counts may receive additional scrutiny.
Once approved, your book is live and available for purchase worldwide. You will receive an email confirmation with a link to your book's Amazon listing.
KDP Select: Is It Worth It?
After publishing, you will have the option to enroll your ebook in KDP Select. This is a separate program with significant benefits and one major trade-off.
Benefits of KDP Select
- Kindle Unlimited (KU): Your book becomes available to KU subscribers, who can read it for free. You earn royalties based on pages read through the Kindle Edition Normalized Page Count (KENPC) system, currently paying approximately $0.004-$0.005 per page read.
- Kindle Countdown Deals: Run time-limited promotional discounts while still earning 70% royalties (normally, books priced under $2.99 only qualify for 35%).
- Free Book Promotions: Make your book free for up to 5 days per 90-day enrollment period. Useful for building readership and generating reviews.
- Higher visibility: KDP Select books tend to get better algorithmic placement on Amazon, as Amazon prioritizes content exclusive to their ecosystem.
The Trade-Off: Exclusivity
KDP Select requires 90-day exclusivity. During enrollment, you cannot sell or distribute your ebook through any other retailer (Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, your own website, etc.). This is a significant limitation for authors who want wide distribution.
Our recommendation: for most new authors, KDP Select is worth trying for the first 90 days. Kindle Unlimited can generate significant page-read revenue, and the promotional tools help you build an audience. After the first enrollment period, evaluate whether the KU earnings justify the exclusivity or whether wide distribution would serve you better.
Getting started is easier than you think. The biggest obstacle to publishing on KDP is not the platform itself but preparing your manuscript. If formatting and file creation feel daunting, tools like DraftZero can generate a publication-ready EPUB from just a title and concept. You focus on the ideas; the AI handles the technical work.