Sell Your Book on Amazon: A Complete Handbook

Step 1: Prepare Your Book for Amazon KDP

Format Your Manuscript for Ebook and Print

Before you even think about Amazon, your manuscript needs to be polished and correctly formatted. For ebooks, Amazon KDP primarily uses MOBI and EPUB formats, though you’ll typically upload a DOCX file that KDP converts. Ensure your document is clean: use standard fonts (like Times New Roman or Garamond), maintain consistent heading styles (Heading 1 for chapter titles, Heading 2 for subheadings), and avoid excessive manual formatting like multiple spaces for indentation. Use paragraph styles for body text. For print, KDP Print requires a PDF file. The most critical aspects here are page size (trim size), margins (allowing for bleed if you have images that extend to the edge), and font embedding. Use professional software like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, or Vellum (for Mac users) to create your document. For Word, go to “Layout” > “Size” to set your trim size (e.g., 6×9 inches), and ensure your margins are set correctly, typically 0.5 to 0.75 inches for inner and outer margins, and 0.75 to 1 inch for top and bottom. Export or save your final print-ready document as a PDF/X-1a:2001 compliant file for best results.

Design an Eye-Catching Book Cover

Your book cover is your primary marketing tool. It needs to be high-resolution (at least 300 DPI), visually appealing, and relevant to your genre. For ebooks, KDP requires a JPEG or TIFF file with dimensions of at least 1000 pixels on the shortest side and 1600 pixels on the longest side, with optimal dimensions being 2560 x 1600 pixels. For print, you’ll need a full cover wrap (front, spine, and back) as a single PDF. The dimensions for this will depend on your book’s trim size and page count. KDP provides a cover calculator tool that gives you exact dimensions. You can use professional design software like Adobe Photoshop or InDesign, or simpler tools like Canva. If design isn’t your forte, consider hiring a professional cover designer from platforms like 99designs, Fiverr, or Upwork. A good cover should instantly communicate your book’s genre and appeal to your target audience.

Step 2: Create Your Amazon KDP Account and Book Listing

Set Up Your KDP Account Details

Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your existing Amazon account or create a new one. Once logged in, navigate to your “Account” settings. You’ll need to provide your personal information, including your full name, address, and phone number. Crucially, you’ll also need to input your tax information. For U.S. residents, this involves completing a tax interview (W-9 form). For non-U.S. residents, you’ll complete a W-8BEN form. This step is essential for Amazon to correctly withhold taxes on your royalties. Finally, set up your payment method. You can choose direct deposit to a bank account (preferred for speed and convenience) or check. Provide your bank name, account number, and routing number. Ensure all information is accurate to avoid delays in receiving your royalties.

Input Your Book’s Metadata and Categories

Once your account is set up, click on “Bookshelf” and then “+ Create a new Title” (or “Create a new Paperback” / “Create a new Hardcover”). This is where you’ll input your book’s metadata.

Book Title and Subtitle: Enter the exact title and any subtitle.
Author: Your name or pen name.
Description: This is your book’s sales pitch. Write a compelling, keyword-rich description (up to 4000 characters) that hooks readers and explains what your book is about. Use HTML tags (like <p>, <b>, <i>, <ul>) to format it for readability.
Keywords: Choose up to 7 keywords or short phrases that readers might use to find your book. Be specific and think like a reader. For example, instead of “fantasy,” try “epic fantasy quest” or “dragon rider adventure.”
Categories: Select up to two Amazon categories that best describe your book. Be as specific as possible. Navigate through the hierarchy (e.g., “Fiction” > “Fantasy” > “Epic”). Choosing the right categories can significantly impact discoverability.
Target Audience (Optional): Define your target age range.
ISBN: For print books, you can use a free KDP ISBN or provide your own. For ebooks, an ISBN is optional but can be used if you have one.

Step 3: Upload and Price Your Book

Upload Your Formatted Manuscript and Cover

On the KDP book setup page, you’ll find sections to upload your content.

Ebook: Under the “Kindle eBook Content” tab, click “Upload eBook manuscript.” Select your final, formatted DOCX or EPUB file. KDP will process it and show you a preview. For the cover, click “Upload a cover you already have” and select your high-resolution JPEG or TIFF file. Always use the “Launch Previewer” to check how your book looks on various Kindle devices and ensure there are no formatting errors.
Print Book: Under the “Paperback Content” or “Hardcover Content” tab, you’ll first confirm your print options (e.g., black ink, white paper). Then, click “Upload paperback manuscript” and select your print-ready PDF file. For the cover, click “Upload a print-ready cover file” and select your full cover wrap PDF. Again, use the “Launch Print Previewer” tool to meticulously check every page, margins, bleed, and the spine text to ensure it looks professional and there are no cut-off elements. This is crucial as printed books cannot be easily updated like ebooks.

Strategically Price Your Ebook and Print Book

Pricing is a critical decision. On the “Pricing” tab:

Ebook Royalties: You have two royalty options: 35% or 70%.
- 70% Royalty: Available for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 (USD) in certain territories. Amazon also deducts a “delivery fee” based on file size. This is generally the most profitable option.
- 35% Royalty: For books priced outside the $2.99-$9.99 range or in other territories. No delivery fee is deducted.
Consider your genre and comparable titles. Many authors price their debut novels at $2.99-$4.99 to attract readers.
Print Book Royalties: KDP Print offers a fixed 60% royalty rate minus printing costs. KDP calculates the printing cost based on your book’s page count, ink type, and trim size. You must set a price that covers this minimum printing cost. Use the provided calculator to determine a profitable price point. For instance, if printing costs $3.00, and you want to make $2.00 per book, your selling price would be ($3.00 + $2.00) / 0.60 = $8.33. Aim for a price that is competitive within your genre but also provides a reasonable profit margin.
Territories: Decide where your book will be available for sale. Usually, “All territories (worldwide rights)” is the default and recommended option.

Step 4: Promote Your Book for Maximum Sales

Utilize Amazon’s Promotional Tools and Services

KDP offers several built-in tools to help you promote your book:

KDP Select: Enrolling your ebook in KDP Select makes it exclusive to Amazon for 90 days. In return, you gain access to:
- Kindle Unlimited (KU): Your book is available to KU subscribers, and you earn royalties based on pages read. This can significantly increase visibility.
- Free Book Promotions: You can offer your book for free for up to 5 days during each 90-day KDP Select enrollment period. This is great for generating buzz and getting reviews.
- Kindle Countdown Deals: Offer a limited-time discount on your book while still earning 70% royalties.
Use these strategically, perhaps after launch or to revive sales.
Amazon Ads (AMS): KDP allows you to create sponsored product ads that appear on Amazon. You can target by keywords (e.g., competitor book titles, genre terms), categories, or specific products. Start with a small budget ($5-$10/day) and monitor your campaigns closely. Focus on ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sales) to ensure profitability. Experiment with different ad types (sponsored products, lockscreen ads) and bidding strategies.
Author Page: Create and optimize your Amazon Author Central page (author.amazon.com). Add your biography, photos, blog feed, and link all your books. This is your professional presence on Amazon.

Market Your Book Outside of Amazon

Don’t rely solely on Amazon’s ecosystem.

Build an Author Website/Blog: Create a professional website where readers can learn about you and your books, sign up for your newsletter, and find links to buy your book on Amazon. A blog can attract organic traffic through SEO.
Email List: This is your most powerful marketing asset. Offer a free short story, novella, or bonus content in exchange for email sign-ups. Regularly communicate with your subscribers about new releases, promotions, and behind-the-scenes content.
Social Media: Establish a presence on platforms relevant to your target audience (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Pinterest). Share engaging content related to your book, genre, and writing journey. Interact with readers and other authors.
Book Reviewers/Bloggers: Reach out to book bloggers, reviewers, and bookstagrammers in your genre and offer them a free copy of your book in exchange for an honest review. Platforms like BookSirens or NetGalley can help facilitate this.
Cross-Promotion: Collaborate with other authors in your genre. This could involve newsletter swaps, shared giveaways, or participating in multi-author box sets.
Offline Marketing: Consider local book signings, library events, or participating in author panels at conventions, especially if your book has local appeal.

FAQs

Q1: Can I sell my book on Amazon if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

A1: Yes, absolutely! Amazon KDP is available to authors worldwide. You will need to provide your tax information (typically by filling out a W-8BEN form) and set up direct deposit to a local bank account or receive checks, depending on your country’s eligibility for direct deposit. Amazon makes it straightforward for international authors to publish and receive royalties.

Q2: How long does it take for my book to go live on Amazon after I publish it?

A2: For Kindle eBooks, it typically takes up to 72 hours (3 days) for your book to go live and appear on the Amazon store. For print books (paperback and hardcover), the processing time is usually a bit longer, ranging from 5 to 7 business days, as they need to generate print files and ensure everything is ready for physical production. You will receive an email notification once your book is live.

Q3: Do I need to buy an ISBN for my book to sell it on Amazon?

A3: For Kindle eBooks, an ISBN is optional. Amazon assigns a unique ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) to your ebook, which functions as its identifier within their system. For print books (paperback and hardcover), KDP offers a free ISBN that you can use. Alternatively, you can purchase your own ISBN from an official ISBN agency in your country. Using your own ISBN gives you more control and allows you to distribute your book through other channels more easily, but it’s not strictly necessary for selling on Amazon KDP.

Q4: How do I get reviews for my book on Amazon?

A4: Getting reviews is crucial for visibility and sales. Here are a few ways:

Ask Readers: Include a polite call to action at the end of your book asking readers to leave a review.
Email List: Encourage your email subscribers to leave reviews, especially after they’ve finished reading.
KDP Select Free Promotions: Offering your book for free can lead to a surge in downloads and, consequently, more reviews.
Review Sites/Blogs: Submit your book to book bloggers, reviewers, and platforms like BookSirens or NetGalley who specialize in reviewing books in your genre.
Social Media: Occasionally remind your social media followers to leave a review if they enjoyed your book.

Remember, Amazon’s policies prohibit incentivizing reviews (e.g., offering payment or gifts for a review), and reviews must be honest and unbiased.