Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing on Amazon KDP

A complete roadmap for new authors — from manuscript preparation to global sales. Master Amazon KDP to publish and sell your fictional, non-fictional, and children’s eBooks effectively and professionally.

Self-publishing on Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) has revolutionized the world of book publishing. With the right strategy, even first-time authors can reach millions of readers and turn their creative vision into profit. Here’s your complete, step-by-step guide to navigating the Amazon KDP publishing journey — from manuscript to marketing.

Why Choose Amazon KDP?

Amazon KDP is one of the most accessible and powerful ebook publishing platforms globally. It allows authors of all kinds — from fictional book writers to children’s ebook creators and non-fiction experts, to publish and sell their work for free. According to Statista, Amazon dominates nearly 80% of the U.S. ebook market, giving indie authors massive visibility.

KDP offers two main formats:

Kindle eBook (for digital readers)
Paperback (print-on-demand, shipped directly to customers)

That means you don’t need to invest in printing, inventory, or shipping — Amazon handles all that for you.

2. Preparing Your Manuscript

Before you upload your book, polish it to perfection.
Professional ghostwriting and book editing can transform your raw idea into a refined masterpiece. According to Reedsy, books that go through professional editing have 43% higher reader retention and more 5-star reviews.

Checklist Before Upload:

Proofread your manuscript thoroughly
Format your ebook (Amazon prefers .docx or .epub)
Add page breaks, headers, and consistent spacing
Include a clickable Table of Contents for easier navigation

You can use tools like Kindle Create to make formatting easier.

3. Designing an Eye-Catching Cover

Your cover is your book’s first impression. Studies show that 79% of readers decide whether to buy a book based on its cover design (99designs).

Pro Tip: Use your primary keyword (e.g., ebook publishing, children’s stories, or non fictional books) subtly in your subtitle for Amazon SEO optimization.

4. Uploading Your Book to KDP

Once your manuscript and cover are ready:

Go to KDP.amazon.com
Sign in with your Amazon account
Click Create a New Title
Fill in your book details (title, subtitle, description, keywords)
Upload your manuscript and cover
Set your pricing and royalty preference

Amazon offers35% or 70% royalties. depending on your chosen price range and distribution territories. Most authors prefer the 70% royalty model between $2.99–$9.99.

5. Optimizing for Amazon SEO

Your book’s visibility depends heavily on keyword optimization. Choose relevant keywords like book publishing, ebook publishing, fictional books, non fictional books and children’s Ebook throughout your book title, subtitle and description.

Also, craft a compelling book description with bold claims, emotional hooks, and bullet points. The first 200 words determine if a reader clicks “Buy Now.”

To boost discoverability, use Amazon keyword tools like Publisher Rocket or KDP Wizard.

6. Marketing Your Book the Smart Way

Once published, your job isn’t over — it’s just beginning. Successful authors don’t just publish; they promote.
Try these proven methods:

Launch promotions with Kindle Countdown Deals or Free Book Promotions
Build an email list to announce updates
Leverage social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok’s #BookTok community)
Collect reviews — books with 50+ reviews see up to 200% higher conversions (Written Word Media)

Also, Consider creating a children’s ebook series or non-fiction guide to build long-term reader trust

7. Tracking Performance and Earnings

KDP provides detailed analytics showing sales trends, page reads (via Kindle Unlimited), and royalties. Tracking these stats helps you refine your strategy. For example, if your book sells better in certain regions, you can tailor ads accordingly using Amazon Ads.

Final Thoughts

Self-publishing on Amazon KDP is empowering. Whether you’re writing fictional adventures, non fictional insights, or delightful children’s stories, the KDP platform gives you the tools to turn your passion into profit.

If you found this guide helpful, check out our next post: (“Common Mistakes New Authors Make (and How to Avoid Them)” blog to be added) — where we reveal the pitfalls first-time writers should dodge for smoother ebook publishing success.