Amazon KDP (Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing) has taken the publishing world by storm.
For the first time in history, authors may self-publish a book with a single click of a button, thanks to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
In fact, it’s rather simple to publish a book on KDP, which is why it’s become so popular, particularly among authors who have found traditional publishing to be a stumbling barrier.
However, the process can be daunting, especially if you want to ensure that everything is done perfectly from start to finish, from book formatting to publication.
We’ll lead you through the process of publishing a book using Amazon’s KDP, starting with how to correctly format your book files, in this comprehensive guide to all things Kindle Direct Publishing. You’ll have your book available in the Kindle Store and ready to go into the hands of your readers at the end of this KDP guide.
Note: Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use my affiliate link. Full disclosure policy here.
Table of Contents
What exactly is KDP?
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s book-publishing technology, which allows you to self-publish a book online and sell it as an eBook or print-on-demand book to readers. It is one of the most well-known self-publishing businesses, and it presently controls the self-publishing book market.
Amazon KDP is a significant player in the publishing sector, with at least 80% of the eBook market.
Modern writers are presented with a critical option when deciding how to become an author, thanks to the launch of Amazon KDP in 2007.
Indeed, with the rise of remote writing work, writers of all disciplines have had an explosion in professional flexibility during the last decade or two (find out more here). This expansion has resulted in an increase in self-publishing of eBooks, print books, and other materials.
Traditional publishing or self-publishing are the two options available to authors when it comes to releasing their work. Many writers favor the greater royalty rates on KDP and the convenience of self-publishing over traditional publication because there are no competing hurdles to go through like there are with traditional publishing.
What is KDP Publishing and how does it work?
Authors can use KDP Publishing to self-publish eBooks and paperback books.
Authors can directly upload their book files for eBooks, which will show in the Kindle store as an eBook that readers can purchase and download immediately.
When it comes to printed books, authors upload their book files, and KDP Publishing employs print-on-demand technology to print the paperback book once it’s been purchased; the printing expenses will be deducted from the royalties you get from each book sold.
Here’s how it works with KDP Publishing:
#1 – Upload your book files to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform.
#2 – Upload your book to the Kindle Direct Publishing program.
#3 – Readers can buy your eBook and have it downloaded on their device right away.
#4 – Readers can purchase your paperback copy, and Amazon’s KDP platform will print and distribute it directly to the reader using print-on-demand technology.
#5 – For each book sold on the KDP program, Amazon will pay you royalties.
Why should you publish on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform?
There are various advantages to self-publishing your book on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform. The Amazon KDP Publishing platform has revolutionized the publishing industry by allowing authors to make it easier to publish a book and build a long-term book business.
The following are the advantages of KDP Publishing:
#1 – Widespread availability. Because Amazon’s platform is so large, authors may reach audiences all around the world, including the United States, Europe, and Japan.
#2 – Increased royalties. Authors can earn higher royalties through Amazon than they would through traditional publishing organizations. Royalty payments on Amazon can be as high as 60% depending on the sort of book you sell.
#3 – Authorship rights are number three. Despite the fact that you publish your book on KDP, you keep the rights to it thanks to Amazon’s non-exclusive agreement.
#4 – Quick time to publish. Traditional publishing typically takes a long time to bring a book to market. The KDP publication procedure is relatively speedy on Amazon’s platform.
#5 – There is no inventory. The days of authors having to buy printed copies of their books in advance in order to sell them are long gone. Print-on-demand technology allows books to be printed as soon as they are ordered.
Costs of KDP Publishing and Royalties
So, how much does it cost to publish a book on Amazon? And how much money do authors make when their books are sold through KDP? What about the repayment plan?
We’ll answer all of those questions and more in this section!
How much does self-publishing on Amazon KDP cost?
Publishing a book via Amazon KDP is completely free. It does not cost anything to the authors directly. If you sell paperback books on Amazon, however, Amazon will remove the cost of printing the book from your royalties. This means that when you sell a paperback book, you are effectively paying for the cost of printing it.
Self-published authors generally spend money on author services to prepare their work for publication, in addition to being able to publish for free on KDP. This includes costs for things like book cover design, formatting, editing, and marketing.
What are KDP royalties and how do they work?
Royalty payments are used by Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing to compensate authors. There are two types of royalties to consider: eBook royalties and paperback royalties.
Depending on whatever royalty rate your book is eligible for, the royalty rate for eBooks is either 35 percent or 70 percent. Click here to see the precise requirements for each.
In the case of paperback books, the royalty rate is set at 60%.
This implies you’ll get the percent royalty rate of your book’s list price for each royalty rate.
When does KDP make a payment?
Your royalties will be sent to you by Kindle Direct Publishing every month, roughly 60 days after the end of the month in which they were earned.
However, there is a catch: your payment must meet a minimum threshold before it can be paid out. You have the choice of receiving your payment via direct deposit, wire transfer, or cheque.
Royalties & Costs of Amazon Publishing
The cost of publishing is zero.
Printing cost = fixed cost + (page count * per page cost)
Royalties on eBooks: 35 percent or 70%?
Royalties on paperbacks is 60 percent.
Fee payout: Before receiving payment, a minimum threshold must be met.
Fee Schedule: Every month, 60 days after the end of the month in which royalties were earned, royalties are paid.
What is KDP Select, exactly?
KDP Select is a service that allows authors to grant Amazon exclusive rights to sell their eBooks only on the Kindle platform. This means that the author’s eBook will only be accessible for purchase on Amazon’s Kindle platform, and the author will not be able to distribute their eBook through any other self-publishing channel.
Amazon offers the author benefits in exchange for exclusive rights to sell the author’s eBook, such as promotional tools like Kindle Unlimited and maybe increased royalty rates.
If you’re thinking about joining KDP Select, keep in mind that your membership isn’t permanent, so you can try it out for 90 days. KDP Select registration is for 90 days, after which writers can choose to auto-renew their membership for another 90 days or drop out.
Wanna join a course of Publishing on Amazon KDP without error? Start here!