There was a time when getting your book published was more of a punishing journey than publishing itself. You had to go door-to-door, pitching to one publisher after another, begging them to give you a chance. But with the age of the internet and the roaring success of self-publishing platforms, those days are long gone—and good riddance.
Getting your book published is one thing; doing it properly is another. Hi, my name is Michael Adams, and I’ve been in this publishing game for around seven years. In this publishing guide, I’m going to lay out everything you need to know to make yourself successful. So sit tight, and take in as much as you can—because this blog might just save you some time, effort, and money.
What is Amazon Publishing?
You’ve probably heard of it already—Amazon Publishing, also known as KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). It’s the heavyweight of the modern self-publishing world, a platform with a solid grip on the entire scene. With just a few clicks, anyone can take a manuscript and make it accessible to millions of readers worldwide. This publishing guide is going to focus squarely on that platform and what it means for you. If you’re just starting out in self-publishing, KDP could be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. You don’t need an agent, you don’t need deep pockets, and you don’t need to gamble on luck. What you do need is the right strategy—because while the doors are wide open, only the authors who publish smart actually get noticed.
Print vs. Digital on Amazon
Amazon gives you options without the heavy price tag. First, eBooks. With affordable Amazon ebook publishing, you can get your story into Kindle’s global marketplace and have it downloaded in seconds by readers anywhere.
Then come print-on-demand paperbacks—no warehouses, no piles of unsold books. Amazon prints each copy only when ordered, so you keep costs lean while still offering readers a physical edition.
And if you’re thinking long-term, audiobooks through ACX let your words travel even further, tapping into the booming listen-on-the-go market.
Setting Up Your Publishing Account
This publishing guide is all about helping you out. And the first step? Setting up your account. I mean, c’mon—you can’t sell anything without a shop, right? Your KDP account is your shop, and opening it is simple. Just head over to Amazon KDP, sign in with your Amazon login, and fill in the basics—your name, payment details, and the bank account where your royalties will land. Do that, and boom—you’re all set up.
Preparing Your Manuscript
Your manuscript is everything—it’s the product that will either make you or break you. Amazon accepts Word files, and ePub formats, but the real key is clean, professional formatting. Broken spacing, sloppy chapter breaks, or messy fonts scream “amateur” and can kill your credibility on the spot. Before uploading, edit ruthlessly. Run a grammar check, get a second pair of eyes, or use one of the best Amazon book publishing services. Some providers—like BookQuill—don’t just publish your book, they also offer editing and formatting support, helping you make the right move and give your book the best shot at climbing the charts.
Designing Your Book Cover
This is one of the most important points in this publishing guide: your book cover has to look better than “good.” Let me tell you a secret—whoever said “don’t judge a book by its cover” clearly never published a book, because readers absolutely do. If your cover is weak or lacks appeal, people will scroll past it faster than they swipe through Instagram feeds.
Publishing and Pricing Your Book
It’s publishing time. Once everything is ready, you can finally upload. On KDP, that means adding your files, title, description, and categories. Don’t even think about skimming past this step—your metadata influences your discoverability. Pricing is straightforward: Amazon offers 35% or 70% royalties. To qualify for the 70% tier, your eBook must be priced between $2.99 and $9.99. Too high or too low, and you’re stuck with 35%. The trick is finding the sweet spot—affordable enough to attract buyers, strong enough to signal value. If you feel lost, you can always get help from one of the best Amazon print-on-demand services. These pros live and breathe publishing, and they know what works—and what definitely doesn’t.
Picking the Right Keywords and Categories
In any publishing guide, this step deserves bold letters. Keywords and categories are how readers find you in Amazon’s massive library, so choose them wisely. Use terms real readers would type, not vague buzzwords. Pick categories that fit your book and give you a fighting chance to stand out. Broad or misleading choices only bury you deeper.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
New authors often trip over the same hurdles. The first is rushing the process—throwing a book onto KDP before it’s polished. Readers notice, and sloppy work means bad reviews that are hard to recover from. The second mistake is ignoring cover design and formatting. Like it or not, your book is judged at a glance, and if it looks unprofessional, most readers won’t give it a chance. Finally, there’s pricing. Set it too high and you scare people off, too low and you undervalue your work—and in both cases, you slash your chances of success. Avoid these pitfalls, and you’re already ahead of half the beginners in the self-publishing game.
Final Thoughts
Publishing on Amazon is no longer the intimidating uphill battle it once was—it’s an opportunity waiting at your fingertips. But opportunity doesn’t guarantee success. The difference between authors who thrive and those who sink often comes down to preparation, strategy, and patience. From formatting your manuscript and designing a compelling cover to choosing the right keywords and pricing smart, every step matters.
Think of Amazon KDP as both a door and a stage: it opens wide, but only those who bring their best performance get the spotlight. Treat your book like a business, avoid the rookie mistakes, and lean on best amazon ebook publishing service when needed. Do this right, and you won’t just publish—you’ll position yourself for real growth in the self-publishing world.
What New Authors Usually Ask
- What is Amazon KDP?
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is a self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish eBooks and print-on-demand paperbacks without needing a traditional publisher. - How much does it cost to publish a book on Amazon?
Publishing through KDP is free. Amazon makes money by taking a percentage of your book’s sales, while you keep royalties (35% or 70%, depending on your pricing). - Can I publish both eBook and print versions?
Yes. KDP supports eBooks and print-on-demand paperbacks. You can also distribute audiobooks through ACX, Amazon’s audiobook platform. - What file formats does KDP accept?
Amazon KDP accepts Word documents (.doc/.docx), and ePub files. Professional formatting ensures your book looks polished on every device. - How do royalties work on Amazon?
You can earn 35% or 70% royalties on eBooks, depending on your book’s price and eligibility. Paperbacks have different royalty rates, generally 60% minus printing costs.