How to publish a book on Amazon KDP → The Lezen Blog

So, you’ve typed “The End” on your manuscript. Congratulations! Now comes the equally exciting and daunting next chapter: publishing. In today’s literary landscape, Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has democratized the process, putting the power to publish directly into authors’ hands. Whether you’ve written a gripping thriller, a heartfelt memoir, or a niche non-fiction guide, this step-by-step manual will walk you through exactly how to publish a book on Amazon KDP, transforming your Word document into a professional, market-ready product available to millions of readers worldwide.

Part 1: The Pre-Publishing Mindset: Beyond Writing

Before you click “Publish,” a crucial shift in thinking is required. You are no longer just a writer; you are an author-publisher, the CEO of your own small publishing house. This means embracing two new roles: Quality Control Manager and Marketing Director.

The Three Pillars of KDP Success:

Professional Presentation: Your book must look indistinguishable from traditionally published titles.
Strategic Positioning: You must understand and navigate the world’s largest bookstore.
Reader-Centric Mindset: Every decision should be made with your target reader in mind.

With that mindset, let’s build your book from the inside out.

Part 2: The Non-Negiable Pre-Launch Checklist

Do not upload your manuscript to KDP until these three critical steps are complete. Rushing here is the single biggest mistake new authors make.

Step 1: Professional Editing is NOT Optional

Your word processor’s spell check is not enough. Readers have zero tolerance for sloppy editing.

Developmental/Content Edit: A big-picture review of structure, plot, character arcs, and pacing. (Crucial for fiction).
Copy/Line Edit: A line-by-line polish focusing on clarity, flow, word choice, and consistency.
Proofreading: The final sweep for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting glitches.
Action: Budget for professional editing. If funds are extremely tight, at minimum employ a rigorous process of self-editing followed by multiple rounds of feedback from literate beta readers and tools like ProWritingAid or Grammarly Premium.

Step 2: Invest in a Professional Cover Design

Your cover is your #1 marketing asset. In the digital marketplace, it’s a thumbnail that must scream “READ ME” in half a second.

Genre-Coding: Your cover must immediately signal your book’s genre. A cozy mystery should look different from a space opera. Browse Amazon’s Top 100 in your category for visual trends.
Thumbnail Test: Designs must work at a very small size. Avoid tiny text and cluttered imagery.
Professional Tools: Use a skilled designer from platforms like Reedsy, 99designs, or Fiverr (vet portfolios carefully!). If designing yourself, use Canva or Adobe Express with extreme caution and study successful covers obsessively.
Action: Hire a designer who specializes in book covers for your genre. This is not the place for a DIY experiment with cousin’s graphic design hobby.

Step 3: Format Your Manuscript for Print and Digital

A beautifully formatted interior is a sign of respect for your reader. Clunky, amateur formatting will lead to returns and bad reviews.

For eBook (KPF): KDP’s preferred method is to upload a clean Microsoft Word (.docx) file. Use Styles (Heading 1, Normal Text) for consistent chapter titles and body text. Avoid manual tabs for indents; use Word’s paragraph settings (First line indent: 0.25” or 0.5”). Remove all extra spaces and page breaks except for chapter breaks.
For Paperback (PDF): Formatting for print is more complex. You must account for trim size, margins (which change for the gutter/binding side), and proper page numbering. Consider using KDP’s free templates or investing in formatting software like Atticus, Vellum (for Mac), or hiring a formatter.
Action: Create two separate, perfected files: one optimized Word doc for the eBook, and one print-ready PDF for the paperback.

Part 3: The KDP Dashboard Walkthrough – A Step-by-Step Upload

Now, with your polished manuscript, stunning cover, and formatted files in hand, you’re ready to navigate the KDP dashboard.

Step 4: Setting Up Your KDP Account

Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your regular Amazon account. Complete your tax and payment information. This is required for you to receive royalties.

Step 5: Creating Your New Paperback & eBook

Click “Create” and choose “Paperback” or “Kindle eBook.” You can link them later. We’ll start with the paperback, as decisions here (like trim size) inform the eBook.

Section 1: Kindle eBook Details

Book Title & Subtitle: Be clear, compelling, and include key search terms (e.g., “A Novel of Suspense”).
Series Information: If part of a series, note the volume number.
Author & Contributors: Add your name(s) and any contributors (e.g., illustrator, editor).
Description: This is your sales pitch! Write a compelling blurb that hooks the reader. Use HTML tags for basic formatting like <i> for italics and <b> for bold. End with a brief author bio.
Keywords: 7 slots. Use phrases potential readers would search for. Be specific (“post-apocalyptic survival thriller”) not generic (“fiction book”). Use tools like Publisher Rocket or search Amazon’s dropdown for ideas.
Categories: Choose two. Don’t just pick broad categories. Drill down to the most specific, relevant sub-categories where competition is lower (e.g., not just “Mystery,” but “Mystery > Women Sleuths > Cozy”).
Age and Range: For children’s books.
Pre-Order: You can set up your book for pre-order up to 90 days in advance, a great marketing tool.

Section 2: Content

Upload Manuscript: Upload your formatted eBook file (Word .docx is best). Use the “Previewer” tool to check how it looks on every device model. Fix any issues (odd page breaks, font problems) immediately.
Book Cover: Upload your professional cover file. The system will generate a 3D preview.
ISBN: For eBooks, KDP provides a free ASIN. You can use your own ISBN if you have one.

Section 3: Pricing

Royalty Options: Choose between 35% and 70% royalty. To qualify for 70%, your price must be between $2.99 and $9.99, among other terms.
Book Lending: Enable it.
KDP Select: This is a critical decision. Enrolling in KDP Select makes your eBook exclusive to Amazon for 90-day periods, granting access to powerful promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions. For wide distribution (Apple, Kobo, etc.), do not enroll. For most new authors, the benefits of Select are advantageous.

Section 4: Review and Publish
Double-check every detail. When ready, hit “Publish.” Amazon states it can take up to 72 hours, but it’s usually live within 12.

Repeat the process for the Paperback, ensuring consistency in details. Key extra steps:

Interior Type: Black & white or color.
Paper Color: Cream (easier on eyes) or white (crisp).
Trim Size: Standard sizes are 5×8”, 5.25×8”, or 6×9”. Use the template that matches your choice.
Cover: Upload the full cover wrap file provided by your designer.
Pricing: Your minimum price is set by printing costs. A useful formula is: (Print Cost x 2) = Your Base Price. You can then adjust from there.

Part 4: The Critical Post-Publishing Launch Sequence

Clicking “Publish” is not the finish line; it’s the starting gun for your launch.

Step 6: The “Soft Launch” – Your 72-Hour Quality Assurance

Order Author Copies: Immediately order 5-10 paperback proof copies. Even with digital previews, hold the physical book. Check everything: margins, spine alignment, print quality.
Live Check: Once live, view your Amazon sales page on multiple devices. Check the “Look Inside” feature. Report any errors to KDP support immediately.

Step 7: Building Your Foundation for Discovery

Your book is a needle in a haystack. These tools make it findable.

Amazon Author Central: Claim your free author profile at authorcentral.amazon.com. Add your bio, photo, blog feed, and link all your books. This is your professional hub on Amazon.
Reviews Are Rocket Fuel: Never pay for reviews or trade them with family. Politely ask early readers, beta readers, and mailing list subscribers to leave an honest review. Use the “Amazon Vine” program for trusted reviewers (fee applies).
The Description & “Look Inside”: Your product page is your silent salesperson. A great description and a compelling opening in the “Look Inside” sample are vital for conversion.

Step 8: Your Launch Marketing Toolkit

KDP Promotional Tools: If in KDP Select, plan a Free Promotion to drive downloads and boost ranking, followed by a Kindle Countdown Deal (a timed discount) to convert that momentum into sales.
Build an Email List: Your single most important asset. Offer a reader magnet (a free short story, bonus chapter) on your website to collect emails for future launches.
External Advertising (Advanced): Once you have a few positive reviews, consider Amazon Ads (AMS) for direct placement on Amazon, or Facebook/BookBub ads targeted to readers of similar books.

Part 5: The Long Game – From Published to Professional Author

Publishing is a marathon. Think in terms of a career, not a single book.

The Series Advantage: Series readers are voracious. A trilogy or linked series is the most effective business model in indie publishing.
Networking: Connect with other authors in your genre on social media. Support, don’t spam.
Continuous Learning: The landscape changes. Follow reputable blogs like The Creative Penn, David Gaughran, and Kindlepreneur.

Conclusion: Your Book, Your Legacy

Publishing on Amazon KDP is a profound act of bringing your creative work into the world. It combines the soul of an artist with the savvy of an entrepreneur. By following this guide—prioritizing professional quality, meticulously navigating the publishing process, and embracing the ongoing work of marketing—you move beyond being someone who wrote a book to becoming an author with a published, discoverable, and respected body of work.

The path from manuscript to marketplace is clear. It requires diligence, investment, and courage, but the reward—holding your own book in your hands, sharing your story with the world, and building a readership one reader at a time—is unparalleled. Your book is waiting. The “Publish” button is waiting. Go claim your space on the virtual shelves.