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How to Upload Your Book to Amazon KDP: Step-by-Step Guide
You finally finished your book—congratulations! Now it’s time to upload it to Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). The process can be a little confusing, and there are some important steps to follow to give your book the best chance at success.
By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident uploading your book and setting it up for a strong performance on Amazon.
Step 1: Sign into KDP
- Sign into your Amazon account at kdp.amazon.com.
- If you don’t have an account yet, create one.
- Read and accept the user agreement to continue.
- Ensure all personal and tax information in your account is complete; Amazon will not allow you to publish without it.
Step 2: Choose Your Book Format
- On the KDP dashboard, you can choose to upload a Kindle eBook, paperback, or hardcover.
- Most steps are the same across formats.
- Once you’ve uploaded your eBook, you can go back and add a paperback or hardcover version from your dashboard.
Step 3: Kindle eBook Details Page
Fill in Required Fields:
- Language
- Book Title and Subtitle (if applicable)
- Series Info (only if your book is part of one)
- Edition Number (only for later editions)
- Author Name or Pen Name
- Contributors (editors, illustrators, etc.)
Book Description:
- Format your description using basic HTML (for better appearance).
- Use the free Book Description Generator on kindlepreneur.com to easily add bold text, italics, line breaks, and bullet points.
Publishing Rights:
- Select “I own the copyright and I hold necessary publishing rights” (unless your book is public domain, which is rare).
Step 4: Keywords
Your keywords determine how your book appears in search results.
- Don’t guess—do proper keyword research.
- Use a tool like Publisher Rocket to:
- See what readers are searching for.
- Discover how competitive keywords are.
- Find keywords used by top-selling books.
- Choosing random keywords without research can seriously hurt your book’s visibility.
Step 5: Categories
You can choose up to three categories. But choose wisely!
Things to Know:
- You used to be able to apply for 10 categories, but the limit is now 3.
- Look for low-competition categories that give your book a chance to hit #1 with fewer sales.
- Avoid “ghost categories” – these aren’t visible to shoppers and don’t help your sales.
For help finding profitable, visible categories, use Publisher Rocket’s category tool.
Step 6: Age and Grade Ranges (If Applicable)
- Only fill this out if your book is for children or young adults.
- Choose the appropriate age and grade levels.
Step 7: Preorder Option
- Decide whether you want your book to be available for preorder.
- Preorders can help generate buzz before your launch, so they’re highly recommended.
Click “Save and Continue” when done.
Step 8: Kindle eBook Content Page
DRM (Digital Rights Management)
- Choose Yes or No based on preference.
- Hover over the “?” icon for more details.
Uploading Your Manuscript:
- Click “Upload eBook manuscript.”
- Supported formats include Word, EPUB, and files from formatting tools like Atticus.
Uploading Your Book Cover:
- Option 1: Use KDP’s Cover Creator tool.
- Option 2 (Recommended): Upload a professionally designed cover for better quality and impact.
Preview Your eBook:
- Use the Kindle Previewer to view your book as readers will see it.
- Look for any formatting issues or errors before moving forward.
ISBN Field:
- Enter your ISBN if you have one.
- If not, consult KDP resources on how and where to get one.
Click “Save and Continue” when done.
Step 9: Kindle eBook Pricing Page
KDP Select:
- Decide whether to enroll in KDP Select (exclusive to Amazon for 90 days in exchange for added benefits).
- Weigh the pros and cons based on your goals.
Territories:
- Choose which territories or countries you want to sell in (most authors choose “All territories”).
Royalty and Pricing:
- Select either 35% or 70% royalty depending on your book’s price and region.
- Use KDP Pricing Support or Publisher Rocket to:
- Determine a competitive price.
- See what similar books are selling for.
Make sure all required account info is filled in—look for any flagged warnings.
Click Submit for Preorder or Publish, and you’re done!
What Happens Next?
- It can take up to 72 hours for Amazon to process and list your book.
- You’ll receive an email when your book goes live.
- Once it’s published, check your Amazon product page to confirm everything looks correct.
You Did It!
If you’ve followed the steps in this guide, you’re already ahead of the game. Most first-time authors don’t know about keywords, categories, or optimization—and now you do.
With everything set up correctly, your book has a much better chance of success.