Authors self-publish books on Amazon through an online service called Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). The service allows authors to publish eBooks, paperback, and hardcover books on Amazon.com at no initial cost. Amazon KDP uses a system called print-on-demand (POD) to print copies of your book and deliver them to customers when orders are received. Once your book has been written, self-publication through Amazon KDP is systematic, but it will take quite a bit of effort on your part to get on top of their process. Continue reading for a full overview of the process. The good news about Author Freely is that you can get many of the benefits of using Amazon e.g. the Amazon bookselling marketplace without some of the difficulties. Author Freely makes self-publishing possible.
Contents
How much does it cost to publish a book on Amazon?
How do I receive payment for books sold on Amazon?
How can I set the list price for my book on Amazon?
How long does it take to publish a book on Amazon?
Will Amazon edit my book?
Will Amazon design my book covers and interiors?
How to publish a paperback book on Amazon
How to market your book on Amazon
Amazon Kindle for eBooks
How much does it cost to publish a book on Amazon?
Authors can self-publish their eBooks, paperback, and hardcover books with Amazon KDP at little initial cost. However, there are other costs to consider. For instance, investing in professional editing, cover design, and formatting services can enhance the quality of the book, potentially leading to better sales and reader satisfaction. Additionally, authors may choose to allocate a budget for marketing and promotional activities to increase visibility in a competitive marketplace.
How do I receive payment for books sold on Amazon?
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) provides a structured and transparent payment system for authors. Once your book is available for purchase, you will earn royalties based on the sales generated. Royalties are calculated according to the following formula:
Royalty = Royalty Rate x (List Price – applicable tax)
When you publish your book through Amazon KDP, you will select a royalty rate from a list of options, which vary according to the country of residence of the customer, and whether your book is formatted as an eBook, paperback, or hardback.
Regardless of royalty rate, however, authors receive payments according to a schedule. Royalties accrued in one month are typically paid approximately 60 days after the end of that month. For instance, royalties earned in January would be paid by the end of March. Authors can choose from several payment methods, including direct deposit, wire transfer, and cheques, although the availability of these methods may depend on the country in which the author resides.
Additionally, KDP provides detailed sales reports that allow authors to monitor their performance in real-time. These reports include information on units sold, estimated royalties, and other essential metrics, enabling authors to make informed decisions about their marketing and promotional strategies.
How can I set the list price for my book on Amazon?
You will set the list price for your book in the final stage of the Amazon KDP process. By this point, you would have already uploaded your manuscript and cover, and specified the length of the book. If publishing your book in paperback or hardback formats, you would have also selected a paper type from a list of standard or premium options. You then would have selected a royalty rate. The KDP pricing page will then display a range of minimum and maximum list prices, within which you will specify a list price at your discretion. The minimum list price provides the minimum funds required for distribution on the Amazon Marketplace, royalties to issued, and if the book will be available in print format, printing costs to be met. You may choose to exceed the minimum figure when setting the list price for your book. Authors tend to check the list prices of similar books on the Amazon Marketplace and set their list price accordingly.
How long does it take to publish a book on Amazon?
Once an author has finalised the manuscript and completed cover design and formatting, the upload process can be completed in a matter of days. After submission, KDP typically reviews the content within 72 hours to ensure it meets their guidelines and standards. Following approval, the book becomes available for purchase on Amazon’s marketplace almost immediately. Therefore, the overall time frame for finalisation of a manuscript to the live publication of a book on Amazon can be as short as a few days.
Will Amazon edit my book?
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) does not provide editing services for manuscripts submitted to their platform. Authors are fully responsible for ensuring that their work is professionally edited and free of errors before submission. While KDP offers tools and guidelines to help with formatting and cover design, the task of editing falls solely on the author. It is highly recommended that authors invest in professional editing services to enhance the quality of their book, as a well-edited manuscript can significantly impact reader satisfaction and sales performance.
Will Amazon design my book covers and interiors?
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offers a range of resources to assist authors in designing their books, but it does not provide direct design services. KDP provides various tools and templates that authors can use for cover design and interior formatting. The Cover Creator tool, for instance, allows authors to create their own book covers using customizable templates. Additionally, KDP offers downloadable templates for manuscript formatting to ensure that the interior layout meets publishing standards. While these tools are useful, authors may find that professional design services are necessary to produce a polished, market-ready book. Investing in professional design can enhance the book’s visual appeal and improve its chances of success in a competitive marketplace.
How to publish a paperback book on Amazon
Publishing a paperback book on Amazon KDP occurs via a series of straight-forward steps. Here’s a guide:
- Create an Amazon KDP Account: Navigate to the KDP website and complete the registration process.
- Create a New Title: Navigate to the “Create a New Title Page” and specify a paperback format. If you would like to publish a book in multiple formats (e.g., paperback and eBook), separate titles will need to be created in KDP.
- Provide descriptive details: Specify the title, authors and contributors. Also provide the book with a brief description and specify the publishing rights (whether you own the copyright or whether the work exists in the public domain). Then choose up to seven keywords to describe your book and two applicable categories. Obtain a free ISNB or use your own. Specify the publication date.
- Print options: Choose between a greyscale or colour interior and standard or premium paper. Specify the trim size and bleed settings. Choose between a matte or glossy cover.
- Prepare Your Manuscript: Ensure your manuscript is thoroughly edited and correctly formatted according to KDP’s requirements. KDP recommends uploading the manuscript as a PDF file, but also accepts DOC (.doc), DOCX (.docx), HTML (.html), or RTF (.rtf) formats.
- Create Your Cover: You can create a cover using KDP’s Cover Creator tool or upload your own cover image as a PDF file. Some authors choose to obtain a cover from a professional book designer.
- Upload Your Manuscript and Cover: Upload your manuscript and book cover when prompted.
- Preview your book: KDP will provide you with a digital preview of the book for a quality check. You will be able to inspect the exterior of the book and every page of the interior. If you identify an error, exit the preview and upload the amended manuscript or cover. If no errors are identified, click “approve.”
- Note the summary and print cost: A print cost will be displayed based on the print options selected, which will be listed in a summary.
- Pricing, royalty and distribution: The Amazon royalty rate is fixed at 60% for paperback and hardback books. Your book may also be eligible for expanded distribution, which it available to other retailers. The royalty rate for expanded distribution is fixed at 40%. Once you have entered a list price at or above the minimum, your royalty earnings per copy will be displayed.
- Terms & conditions: Read the terms and conditions and click “publish”.
How to market your book on Amazon
Effective marketing is essential to maximize the visibility and sales of your Amazon KDP book. Various strategies can be utilized, including those offered by Amazon itself, such as KDP Select, Amazon Advertising, and Expanded Distribution. Marketing an Amazon KDP book successfully can be an involved process, so for a thorough overview, please see our blog post on Amazon KDP marketing.
Amazon Kindle for eBooks
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allows authors to self-publish eBooks, paperback, and hardcover books on Amazon.com. Amazon KDP allows self-published authors to access the extensive Amazon marketplace, visited by millions of readers worldwide. The platform provides a range of tools and resources to systematize the publishing process, including formatting guides and marketing support. Authors retain control over their books, pricing, and distribution, while benefiting from Amazon’s efficient payment and reporting systems.