How to Publish a Book on Amazon KDP: Step-by-Step
From finished manuscript to live listing, here’s the exact KDP process — with the settings that actually affect your royalties and reach.
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) lets any author put a book on the world’s largest bookstore for free, with no gatekeeper. The upload itself takes an afternoon. Doing it in a way that actually sells takes a few smart decisions along the way. Here’s the full step-by-step for 2026, including the choices that quietly determine how much you earn and how many readers find you.
Step 1: Get the manuscript truly ready
Before you touch KDP, your book needs to be edited and formatted. Amazon will happily publish a typo-ridden file — and readers will punish it in reviews. Have the manuscript professionally edited and formatted to KDP’s specs first. This is the single biggest quality gap between books that sell and books that don’t.
Step 2: Create your KDP account and start a new title
Sign up at kdp.amazon.com with your Amazon account, add your tax and banking details, and click “Create.” You’ll choose between a Kindle eBook, a Paperback, and a Hardcover. Most authors publish all three from the same dashboard — start with the eBook, then duplicate the details for print.
Step 3: Enter metadata that helps you get found
This screen is more important than it looks. Your title, subtitle, author name, and description are all searchable. Write a description that sells, not just summarizes. You’ll also pick up to seven keywords and your categories — get those right using our guide on how to choose Amazon book categories, because they decide which bestseller lists you can rank on.
Step 4: Handle the ISBN question
KDP gives you a free ISBN for print books, or you can use your own. eBooks don’t need one at all (Amazon assigns an ASIN). If you want your imprint listed as the publisher and portability across stores, buy your own — we cover the trade-offs in do you need an ISBN?
Step 5: Upload your files and preview
Upload your formatted manuscript and cover, then use the Online Previewer to check every page. Print books require a full-cover PDF with correct spine width and bleed — this is where DIY covers often fall apart, so consider professional cover design. Never skip the preview; it’s the last line of defense against a formatting disaster going live.
Step 6: Set your price and royalty plan
For Kindle eBooks, choose the 70% royalty plan if your list price is between $2.99 and $9.99 — that band covers the large majority of titles. Below or above it, you drop to 35%. Amazon also deducts a small delivery fee (about $0.15/MB) on the 70% plan, so keep image-heavy files lean. For print, KDP shows your minimum price based on printing cost; price above it to earn a royalty.
Step 7: Publish and plan the launch
Hit publish and your book goes live within 72 hours (usually faster). But publishing isn’t marketing. Line up reviews, pricing, and promotion before launch day — our 90-day book launch plan and Amazon book marketing guide cover exactly what to do in the weeks around release.
The honest bottom line
KDP makes distribution free and easy. What it doesn’t do is make your book good, discoverable, or well-marketed — that’s still on you. Nail editing, formatting, cover, metadata, and launch, and KDP becomes a genuine engine. Skip them, and it becomes another unread file in a very large catalog.
Helpful resources
Frequently asked questions
Is Amazon KDP free to use?
Yes. Publishing on KDP costs nothing upfront for eBooks, paperbacks, or hardcovers. Amazon takes a share of each sale through its royalty structure, and print books have a per-copy printing cost deducted from your list price.
How long does KDP take to publish a book?
After you submit, KDP typically reviews and lists the book within 72 hours, often much faster. Print proofs and revisions can add a few days, so build a small buffer before any planned launch date.
Should I choose the 70% or 35% royalty on KDP?
Choose 70% if your Kindle eBook is priced between $2.99 and $9.99 — that covers most books. Outside that band you only qualify for 35%. Note the 70% plan deducts a small per-megabyte delivery fee.
Do I need an ISBN to publish on KDP?
Not for eBooks — Amazon assigns a free ASIN. Print books need an ISBN, but KDP provides one free. Buy your own only if you want your imprint as the listed publisher and easy distribution to other stores.
Want your KDP launch done right?
Author’s Craft handles editing, formatting, cover design, and publishing setup so your book goes live polished and positioned to sell. Get a quote for full-service self-publishing support.