The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing a Book on Amazon

The Essential Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Launching your Book with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Publishing a book on Amazon KDP has been a game-changer for independent authors dreaming of sharing their stories and ideas. In fact, 2.6 million self-published titles were added in 2024 alone. Amazon’s self-publishing platform and print-on-demand services are helping independent authors make their mark and reach readers around the world. Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is one of the top platforms for getting your work into print and digital stores. While Amazon KDP is one of the top platforms, you can also learn about how it compares to other services like IngramSpark in our guide, ‘Amazon KDP vs. IngramSpark: Which is Better for Your Book?‘ Here’s the practical, easy roadmap to self-publishing success.

Preparing Your Manuscript and Book Materials

Before you click the ‘publish’ button, your book must stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace. Expertly-edited writing, clean formatting, and a professional cover that pops will get you more sales and better reviews. There are also copyright and ISBN basics to consider to protect your work. For a full overview, the Start publishing with KDP – Amazon.com resource breaks down more on each publishing step.

Step 1: Editing and Proofreading Your Manuscript

Reading a book packed with errors makes for a frustrating reading experience and reflects poorly on the writer. Editing your manuscript is a critical investment.

Here are a few options to get it done:

Hire a Professional Editor: A professional editor offers a fresh perspective on your work that an author who edits their own work lacks. An editor can catch errors, correct plot inconsistencies, and refine character voices. This investment is a commitment to quality and gives your book the best chance of success. Reedsy and the Editorial Freelance Association (EFA) are excellent resources that feature professional editors for every budget.
Use Editing Software: Digital writing tools, such as Grammarly and ProWritingAid can help budget-conscious writers. While they can’t solve plot or pacing problems, they do offer valuable grammar, style, and clarity checks.
Beta Readers: They’re not editors; they’re your target audience. Beta readers can offer constructive criticism from the perspective of a typical reader. Their role is to catch inconsistencies, confusing passages, and provide feedback on the overall reader experience. If you need beta readers other than friends and family, there are resources available to get non-biased feedback.

Someone else reading your book with fresh eyes makes all the difference. Skipping this critical step often leads to one-star reviews that are tough to bounce back from.

Book Formatting and Cover Design

Design and formatting are not just about how your book looks. They impact your book’s perceived value, professionalism, and overall reader experience.

Step 2: Professional Book Formatting for Kindle and Print

There are many free (and paid) tools available for do-it-yourself formatting, including Google Docs and Canva. However, the process can be challenging, frustrating, and time-consuming for authors who aren’t technically inclined. (For an in-depth look at what makes for great formatting and what to look for in a service, read our guide on ‘The Best Book Formatting for Self-Published Authors.’) Using a professional service like Sprig Publishing Solutions is a wise investment for many authors. Professional formatters can produce files that are free of the common errors that can lead to rejection or poor reader experience. A professionally designed and formatted book looks polished and functions properly on different devices—a critical detail, especially for eBooks. Hiring a professional formatting service also allows authors to focus on what they do best—writing.

Step 3: Creating a Professional Book Cover Design

Despite the old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover,” most readers do. A professionally designed book cover is your book’s most important marketing tool. A poor cover can make even a good book look unprofessional and less credible. A beautifully designed cover is a critical investment that reinforces the author’s brand, increasing your odds of being discovered and purchased. Canva is also an excellent source for cover creation, and you can hire freelancers on Fiverr, Upwork, or 99designs.

If your book looks unprofessional or out of place in your genre, sales will lag. A dynamic eye-catching cover and a readable page format (for both print and digital) are more critical than ever to your book’s success.

Publishing Your Book on Amazon KDP

Setting up a KDP account is a fairly straightforward process that uses your existing Amazon account.

Step 4: Creating a Book Title on Amazon KDP

Follow these steps to create a new title on KDP:

Set up Your KDP Account: Go to KDP.com to create your account. If you already have an Amazon account, click the “Sign in” button. If you don’t, click the “Join KDP” button. For a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on the entire process, including filling out all the necessary forms, you can refer to the detailed account setup instructions. To begin, follow the steps below:

Go to your Bookshelf.
Click the + Create
Click to choose which type of book to create.

Book Details: Enter the title, subtitle, and author name. Be careful when entering this information because once your book is published, these details are locked and cannot be changed without creating a new edition.
Description: Write a compelling book description that sells the book. Research the descriptions of best-selling books in your book’s category. The goal is to explain what differentiates your book from competing titles.
Keywords: Choose effective keywords to help readers find the book using the Amazon search bar.
Categories: Select the best categories for your book to improve its visibility and to rank higher.

Step 5: Upload Your Files

If you have both print and eBook editions of your book, you will need to upload them separately.

Print (Paperback/Hardcover): Follow the instructions for uploading your print-ready manuscript and cover.
Formatted Manuscript: (DOCX, EPUB for eBooks; PDF for print)
Book Cover: (JPEG, TIFF for eBooks; full cover wrap for print)
eBook: Uploading the eBook files is very similar to the print upload procedure.
Preview Your Book: Amazon allows you to preview your printed book with the “Launch Previewer” button before you publish. The previewer displays your book in an open-book format to show how it will look when printed.
Preview Your eBook: The same applies to your ebook. This feature helps you check for formatting issues, and ensures your eBook appears as expected across different e-Reader devices.

If you discover an error after your book has been published, don’t worry! With Amazon KDP, changes to the cover and pages are possible, even after publishing. Simply upload a new cover or manuscript file to make changes.

Step 6: Set Your Pricing and Royalties

Choosing the right price for your book can make or break sales. A competitive price analysis of similar books is recommended. In most cases, you’ll want to price your book at or below the category average. Other factors, such as your page count, use of colors, and page dimensions, will also affect the price. Fortunately, Amazon offers online tools to calculate what your book will cost, and what your royalty will be, before you even print your book (e.g., 35% vs. 70% for ebooks).
Amazon handles the printing, shipping costs, and customer service which are deducted from royalties.

Step 7: Hit “Publish” and Go Live

When you’re satisfied that your settings are correct (it’s best to preview one last time), click “Publish.”
Books go live on KDP.com usually within 24-72 hours. You’ll receive an email from Amazon alerting you that your book is live with a link to your listing on Amazon. Congratulations, you’re a published author!

Conclusion

Self-publishing on Amazon KDP makes it easier than ever for authors to reach readers across the globe.You’ve navigated the entire self-publishing process successfully. From preparing your manuscript and designing a great cover to setting your pricing and royalties. Each step matters—first impressions make all the difference.

For authors who are passionate about their stories but feel overwhelmed by the complexities of self-publishing, consider a professional publishing service like Sprig Publishing Solutions. Our team handles the intricate details of formatting, cover design, and publishing, allowing you to focus on your writing while we ensure your book is professionally prepared for the world.

Now, what’s the next step you’ll take on your publishing journey?