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How to publish a book on Amazon KDP

Kindle Direct Publishing is where most self-published books are sold. One KDP account publishes both a Kindle eBook and a print-on-demand paperback, and the two editions are linked on the same Amazon product page. Below is the exact sequence of KDP's forms — Details, Content, Pricing — with the files each step expects.

Is Amazon KDP right for your book?

  • Every self-published author: Amazon is the largest ebook and print-on-demand marketplace.
  • Authors who want Kindle Unlimited page-read income — that needs KDP Select, which makes the eBook exclusive to Amazon for 90-day terms.
  • If you want your eBook on Apple, Kobo and Google as well, skip KDP Select and add those stores (or Draft2Digital) alongside KDP.

Amazon KDP: Kindle eBook

Sell on every Amazon Kindle store worldwide. Usually live within 72 hours.

Formats accepted
EPUB, DOCX, KPF
Cover
JPEG or TIFF, ideal 1600 × 2560 px (1.6:1), minimum 625 × 1000, RGB.
ISBN
Not required — Amazon assigns a free ASIN.
Royalty
70% for list prices $2.99–$9.99 (minus a delivery fee), otherwise 35%.

Files you need to upload

  • Manuscript

    EPUB ebook — Reflowable EPUB 3 manuscript

  • Kindle eBook cover

    eBook cover JPG — 1600 × 2560 px, 1.6:1 — KDP's ideal size

Step by step

Start

  1. 1

    Open your KDP Bookshelf

    Sign in with your own Amazon KDP account (create one and finish the tax interview first if you're new).

  2. 2

    Click "+ Create" → "Kindle eBook"

Details

  1. 3

    Language, title & subtitle

    Pick the book's language, then paste the title and subtitle exactly as they appear on the cover.

  2. 4

    Series & edition number

    Leave Series empty unless the book belongs to one. Edition number is optional (use 1 for a first edition).

  3. 5

    Author & contributors

    Primary author first and last name. Add editors/illustrators only if they should be credited.

  4. 6

    Description

    Paste the description HTML into KDP's description box (switch it to HTML/source if your editor shows formatting).

  5. 7

    Publishing rights

    Choose "I own the copyright and I hold the necessary publishing rights".

  6. 8

    7 keywords

    Paste one keyword phrase into each of the seven boxes.

  7. 9

    Categories (up to 3)

    Use the subject headings below to pick the closest Amazon categories.

  8. 10

    Age & grade range, release option

    Only set an age range for children's books. Release: "Release my book now" (or schedule a pre-order). Save and Continue.

Content

  1. 11

    Upload the manuscript (EPUB) & choose DRM

    Upload the EPUB. Decide on DRM now — it can't be changed later.

  2. 12

    Upload the eBook cover (JPG)

    "Upload a cover you already have" → the 1600 × 2560 JPG.

  3. 13

    Answer the AI-generated content questions

    Declare AI-generated text, images and translations using the answers below.

  4. 14

    Launch the Kindle previewer

    Page through every chapter; fix anything that looks off.

  5. 15

    ISBN & publisher (optional)

    Kindle eBooks don't need an ISBN. If you have an eBook ISBN, enter it with your imprint. Save and Continue.

Pricing

  1. 16

    KDP Select enrollment (optional)

    Exclusive to Amazon for 90 days in exchange for Kindle Unlimited page-read income.

  2. 17

    Territories

    "All territories (worldwide rights)" if you hold world rights.

  3. 18

    Primary marketplace, royalty plan & list price

    Amazon.com, 70% (for $2.99–$9.99) or 35%, then your USD list price — other marketplaces auto-convert.

Publish

  1. 19

    Click "Publish Your Kindle eBook"

    Review takes up to 72 hours. KDP emails you when it's live.

  2. 20

    Record the ASIN & Amazon link here

    Paste the Amazon product URL — a "Buy on Kindle" button appears on your book page.

Before you publish

  • DRM can't be changed after publishing.
  • KDP Select (optional) makes the eBook exclusive to Amazon for 90-day terms — skip it if you also publish on Apple, Kobo, Google or via Draft2Digital.
Open KDP Bookshelf

Amazon KDP: Paperback

Print-on-demand paperback on Amazon. Order a proof copy before you publish.

Formats accepted
PDF (interior), PDF (full-wrap cover)
Cover
One PDF: back + spine + front with 0.125" bleed on every edge; KDP places the barcode in the bottom-right of the back cover.
ISBN
Required — use KDP's free ISBN (KDP-only) or your own.
Royalty
60% of list price minus printing cost on Amazon (50% below $9.99 on Amazon.com); 40% with Expanded Distribution.

Files you need to upload

  • Manuscript (interior)

    Interior PDF — Print-ready, trim-sized, fonts embedded, no bleed

  • Book cover (print-ready PDF)

    Print cover PDF — Full wrap: back, spine and front with 0.125" bleed

Step by step

Start

  1. 1

    Open your KDP Bookshelf

  2. 2

    Click "+ Create" → "Paperback"

    Or "+ Create paperback" next to your Kindle eBook to reuse its details.

Details

  1. 3

    Language, title & subtitle

    Pick the book's language, then paste the title and subtitle exactly as they appear on the cover.

  2. 4

    Series & edition number

    Leave Series empty unless the book belongs to one. Edition number is optional (use 1 for a first edition).

  3. 5

    Author & contributors

    Primary author first and last name. Add editors/illustrators only if they should be credited.

  4. 6

    Description

    Paste the description HTML into KDP's description box (switch it to HTML/source if your editor shows formatting).

  5. 7

    Publishing rights

    Choose "I own the copyright and I hold the necessary publishing rights".

  6. 8

    7 keywords

    Paste one keyword phrase into each of the seven boxes.

  7. 9

    Categories (up to 3)

    Use the subject headings below to pick the closest Amazon categories.

  8. 10

    Age & grade range, adult content

    Only set an age range for children's books. Adult content: No (unless it is). Save and Continue.

Content

  1. 11

    Print ISBN

    "Get a free KDP ISBN" or "Use my own ISBN" (enter the imprint exactly as registered).

  2. 12

    Publication date

    Leave empty unless the book was published before.

  3. 13

    Print options

    Ink & paper: black & white interior on your paper (cream/white), trim size, Bleed: "No Bleed", cover finish matte or glossy.

  4. 14

    Upload the interior PDF

  5. 15

    Upload the full-wrap cover PDF

    Choose "Upload a cover you already have (print-ready PDF only)".

  6. 16

    Answer the AI-generated content questions

  7. 17

    Launch Previewer & approve

    Check every spread, the spine and the barcode area. Resolve any flagged issues.

  8. 18

    Order a proof copy

    Strongly recommended — from the Bookshelf "…" menu → Request printed proofs.

Pricing

  1. 19

    Territories

    "All territories (worldwide rights)".

  2. 20

    Primary marketplace & list price

    Amazon.com, enter the USD list price (above the minimum KDP shows). Expanded Distribution is optional.

Publish

  1. 21

    Click "Publish Your Paperback Book"

    Review takes up to 72 hours.

  2. 22

    Record the ISBN & Amazon link here

Before you publish

  • If the Kindle eBook already exists, use "+ Create paperback" on its Bookshelf row so the details are copied and the formats are linked.
  • The ISBN, trim size, ink/paper and bleed can't be changed after publishing.
Open KDP Bookshelf

Amazon KDP: frequently asked questions

Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon KDP?+

Not for the Kindle eBook — Amazon assigns a free ASIN. The paperback does need an ISBN: you can take KDP's free one (usable only on KDP) or enter your own.

How long does KDP take to publish a book?+

KDP reviews new titles in up to 72 hours and emails you when the book is live. Paperbacks can take a little longer to link to the eBook on the same product page.

Should I enroll my eBook in KDP Select?+

Only if Amazon will be your only ebook store. KDP Select earns Kindle Unlimited page-read royalties, but the eBook must be exclusive to Amazon for each 90-day term. The paperback is not affected.

Can I publish an AI-assisted book on KDP?+

Yes, but KDP asks you to disclose AI-generated text, images and translations when you upload. Inkora pre-fills those answers in its Publishing Hub based on how your book was made.

What can't I change after publishing a KDP paperback?+

The ISBN, trim size, ink and paper type, and bleed setting are fixed once the paperback is published. Check them on the proof before you click publish.

Get Amazon KDP-ready files from one idea

Inkora writes your book, designs the cover and exports exactly the files listed above — then tracks this checklist for you in its Publishing Hub.

Start your book free

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