Mastering the Kindle: A Guide on How to Publish a Book on Amazon

Have a pat on the back; you have achieved a significant milestone! Your book is ready, and you should make it available for the audience to buy. OH YES! you are thinking right! By this, we mean that you should publish it on Amazon. While the process is relatively simple, it can be stressful to go through it alone. But don't worry, we are here to help. 

Why to Choose Amazon?

The landscape of publishing has shifted significantly, with traditional methods giving way to the growing trend of self-publishing. This shift is not arbitrary, as the benefits of self-publishing are compelling. Unlike traditional approaches, self-publishing allows authors to earn more, maintain full control over their rights, and explore diverse opportunities with their books. While traditional publishing still has its merits, Amazon's self-publishing platform has become the preferred choice for many book publishers, backed by impressive statistics:

• Amazon accounts for over 70% of book sales.
• Last year, a staggering 310 million book buyers contributed to over $178 billion in sales on Amazon.
• Amazon self-publishing offers a faster and more accessible route to bring books to market.

Despite traditional publishing remaining an option for some, the process is cost-effective, as Amazon self-publishing is entirely free. Although there are no upfront fees, Amazon deducts a portion of the book's earnings to cover printing costs, ensuring authors receive a substantial 60% - 70% in royalties. For example, if you price your book at $17.99, factoring in printing & distribution fees, you could potentially take home $10.8 per book, making Amazon self-publishing an appealing proposition. To assist you in navigating this process, we will provide a step-by-step guide to successfully publish your book using Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).

Your Book Publishing Guide for Amazon

If you are still confused about where to begin, here is your ultimate book publishing guide that will help you navigate how to publish a book on Amazon. At this point, if you feel overwhelmed, you may hire a book publishing service to handle publishing for you. Here are the 8 simple steps. 

Step  1 – Create a Kindle Account 

Begin by creating an account on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). This process is swift, free, and straightforward. 

• Head to the Kindle Direct Publishing website.
• Sign in with your existing Amazon account or create a new one. 
• Upon logging in, you'll notice a prompt indicating that your account is incomplete, signalling the need to provide payment information before uploading your book.

Step 2 – Update Your Information 

Update your account information by clicking on "Update now" and filling in details such as:

• Business Type
• Date of Birth
• Country
• Payment information (bank details for royalties)
• Complete a quick tax interview

After providing this information, click "Save" and navigate to "Bookshelf" in the top menu to initiate the book publishing process.

Step 3 – Create a New Project 

Create a new project on Amazon by choosing the type of book you want to publish (ebook, paperback, hardcover, or a Series page). For this guide, we'll focus on the ebook format. Customize your book page to make it appealing to potential buyers.

Step 4 – Fill in the Essential Book Details 

Enter essential details in the KDP dashboard, such as:

• The language of your book
• Title
• Subtitle
• Series information
• Author name
• Contributors

Craft a compelling product description akin to the back-cover blurb, ensuring the initial line is intriguing. Take advantage of formatting options for visual appeal.

Step 5 – Do Some Keyword Search for a Higher Book Ranking 

Select relevant keywords and categories to enhance your book's discoverability. Choose two categories and up to seven keywords. Experiment with options, as changes can be made later. Decide whether your book is ready for sale or if you prefer to set it up for pre-order.

Step 6 – Upload your EPUB Manuscript 

Upload your EPUB manuscript and book cover files. Ensure your manuscript is formatted correctly, and use Amazon's recommended EPUB format for better control on Kindle. Verify that your book cover is visually appealing. Confirm whether you have an ISBN number, which is optional for ebooks.

Step 7 – Price Your Book

Set a price between $2.99 and $9.99 for optimal royalties. Amazon offers a 70% royalty rate within this range. Consider international sales by manually setting prices for each country. Decide whether to enroll in KDP Select, weighing the program's pros and cons.

Step 8 – Review and Publish 

Review and publish your book. Double-check details on the previous tabs and click "Publish your Kindle ebook." Celebrate your accomplishment, knowing that your book will appear on Amazon shelves within a few days.

CONGRATULATIONS, you did it! As you see, publishing a book on Amazon isn't nearly as scary as it seems. Your book will appear on Amazon bookshelves soon 一 it may take up to 72 hours for Amazon.com and up to five days for country-specific Amazon sites. Now, you can focus all your energy on publicity and marketing.