Self-publishing on Amazon has many benefits, including complete creative control, higher royalties, and wider distribution. As an author, you have the freedom to write what you want and publish it on your own terms.
Amazon offers a range of tools and services to help authors self-publish their books, making the process easy and accessible. With Amazon’s global reach and large customer base, authors can reach a wider audience and potentially increase sales. In addition, self-publishing on Amazon typically results in higher royalties than traditional publishing methods.
Below is a step-by-step guide to publishing your book on Amazon.
Step 1: Create an Amazon KDP account
Go to https://kdp.amazon.com and sign up for a free Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) account. Fill out the required fields with your personal information and login credentials.
Step 2: Add a new title to your bookshelf
Once logged in, click on “Your Bookshelf” and then click “Create a new title” to add a new book to your bookshelf.
Step 3: Enter your book’s details
Provide important details about your book, including title, author name, description, keywords, and categories. Be thorough and accurate, as this information will help readers find and decide to purchase your book.
Step 4: Obtain an ISBN number (OPTIONAL)
Although not mandatory for eBooks, having an ISBN gives your book a unique identifier and may give it more credibility. You can either buy an ISBN or use the free one provided by Amazon KDP.
Step 5: Design your book cover
Either create your own cover or hire a professional designer to make one for you. Your cover should be eye-catching, high-quality, and represent the theme of your book.
Step 6: Format your manuscript
Prepare a well-formatted manuscript following Amazon’s guidelines regarding layout, font size, margins, etc. If necessary, hire a professional formatter to ensure your eBook looks polished and professional.
Step 7: Upload your manuscript and cover
Within the KDP dashboard, upload both your formatted manuscript (in EPUB or MOBI format) and the cover image file.
Step 8: Choose distribution rights
Select either worldwide rights or individual territories, depending on where you have the rights to distribute your book.
Step 9: Set pricing for your book
Determine the right price for your eBook based on factors like length, genre, target audience, and more. Also, decide if you wish to enrol in KDP Select, which enables you to have exclusive sales and promotional opportunities.
Step 10: Review and publish your book
Before publishing your book, preview it using the Amazon KDP “Previewer” tool to ensure it meets all formatting requirements. Once satisfied with your results, click “Publish” to make your book live on Amazon.
Once published, your book may take 12-72 hours to become available in the Amazon store. Tell friends, family, and colleagues to spread the word about your book and monitor sales performance through your KDP account dashboard.
Overall, self-publishing on Amazon is an excellent option for authors looking for more creative control and the potential for higher profits. Don’t forget you also have to promote your book.
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