Free Self-Publishing Guide: a step-by-step tutorial to publishing Kindle books on Amazon

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Publish a Kindle Book on Amazon

1. Open a Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Account

   • Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign up for a Kindle Direct Publishing account.
   • Enter your author name and set up your account details.

2. Select Kindle eBook Format

   • Choose to publish your book as a Kindle eBook.
   • Avoid selecting paperback for now to simplify the publishing process.

3. Enter Book Details

   • Fill in your book title, series title (if applicable), edition number, author name, and contributors.
   • Focus on the core conflict of your book when writing the synopsis.

4. Choose Categories and Keywords

   • Select two categories that best fit your book.
   • Use relevant keywords in your book details to improve discoverability.

5. Upload Your eBook File

   • Format your book as a MOBI file and upload it to Amazon.
   • Ensure your book is error-free and complies with Amazon's guidelines.

6. Upload Your Cover

   • Follow Amazon's cover specifications and upload your book cover.
   • Your cover is crucial for attracting readers, so make sure it meets the requirements.

7. Preview Your Book

   • Use Amazon's previewer to check how your book looks on different devices.
   • Ensure the formatting is correct and there are no errors in the content.

8. Set Pricing

   • Manually set the price for your book based on your genre and target audience.
   • Consider pricing strategies to maximize sales potential.

9. Choose DRM and Publishing Rights

   • Decide whether to enable Digital Rights Management (DRM) for your eBook.
   • Ensure you own the copyright for the books you are publishing.

10. Enroll in KDP Select (Optional)

    • Consider the benefits and limitations of enrolling your book in KDP Select.
    • Evaluate whether exclusivity to Amazon aligns with your publishing goals.

11. Select Territories for Distribution

    • Choose to sell your book in all territories or select specific countries where you hold distribution rights.

12. Review and Publish

    • Double-check all details, pricing, and settings before clicking the publish button.
    • Your book will be live on Amazon within 72 hours, but it often happens sooner.

Congratulations! Your Kindle book is now published on Amazon. Remember to promote your book and engage with readers to maximize its success. Good luck with your self-publishing journey!