Sell Your Books on Amazon: A Beginner’s Guide
Step 1: Prepare Your Book for Sale
Understand Amazon’s Publishing Options
Amazon offers two primary avenues for selling your books: Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for eBooks and print-on-demand paperbacks/hardcovers, and Amazon Seller Central for selling physical copies you already possess (e.g., used books, inventory from a traditional publisher). For authors publishing their own work, KDP is the standard. KDP allows you to reach a global audience without upfront printing costs, as books are printed only when a customer orders them. Familiarize yourself with the differences: eBooks are digital files (MOBI, EPUB), while print books require specific interior and cover dimensions and bleed settings. Most new authors will focus on KDP for both digital and print versions.
Format Your Manuscript and Cover Art
For eBooks, Amazon recommends using a well-formatted Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) or a filtered HTML file. Ensure your manuscript has a clear table of contents, proper paragraph breaks, and consistent heading styles. Avoid excessive custom fonts or complex layouts that may not render well across different Kindle devices. For print books, KDP requires a PDF for the interior. Set your page size (e.g., 6×9 inches for a novel), ensure margins are adequate for binding (inner margin often larger than outer), and check for proper bleed if images extend to the edge of the page. KDP provides templates for common sizes. Your cover art is crucial: for eBooks, a single JPEG or TIFF file at least 1000 pixels on the shortest side (ideally 2560 pixels tall by 1600 pixels wide) is needed. For print, you’ll need a full cover PDF that includes the front cover, spine, and back cover, precisely sized to your book’s dimensions and page count, with a 0.125-inch bleed on all edges. KDP offers a Cover Creator tool if you don’t have professional design software, but custom designs are generally preferred.
Step 2: Set Up Your Amazon KDP Account
Create Your KDP Account
Navigate to kdp.amazon.com and click “Sign up.” If you already have an Amazon customer account, you can use those credentials. Otherwise, you’ll need to create a new Amazon account first. Once logged in, you’ll be prompted to complete your account information. This includes your author name (which can be a pseudonym), contact details, and agreement to the KDP Terms and Conditions. It’s important to use accurate information, especially for payment and tax purposes, to avoid delays in receiving royalties.
Complete Your Tax and Payment Information
After creating your account, KDP will require you to provide tax information and banking details for royalty payments. For U.S. residents, this typically involves completing a W-9 form digitally within the KDP dashboard. Non-U.S. residents will complete a W-8BEN or similar form, which determines the withholding tax rate on your royalties (often reduced or eliminated with a valid tax treaty between your country and the U.S.). For payment, you’ll need to link a bank account. KDP supports direct deposit to bank accounts in many countries. If direct deposit isn’t available for your country, payments are made via wire transfer, which may incur fees. Ensure all banking details (account number, routing number, bank name) are entered correctly to prevent payment issues.
Step 3: Publish Your Book on KDP
Enter Your Book Details
From your KDP dashboard, click “+ Create a New Title” (or “Paperback” / “Hardcover” / “Kindle eBook”). You’ll be guided through several screens. On the first screen, “Kindle eBook Details” (or “Paperback Details”), you’ll enter your book’s title, subtitle (optional), series information (if applicable), edition number, author name, contributors, and a compelling book description. The description is crucial for enticing readers and should include relevant keywords. You’ll also select categories (genres) for your book (up to two primary categories) and up to seven keywords that readers might use to find your book. Finally, choose your target audience (age range) and declare publishing rights (usually “I own the copyright and I hold necessary publishing rights”).
Upload and Preview Your Manuscript and Cover
On the next screen, you’ll upload your formatted manuscript file (e.g., .docx for eBook, .pdf for print) and your cover image file (e.g., .jpeg for eBook, .pdf for print). After uploading, use the “Launch Previewer” tool. This is a critical step to ensure your book displays correctly on various devices (for eBooks) or that the print layout is perfect (for print books). Check for formatting errors, missing pages, incorrect margins, and ensure your cover appears as expected. For print books, pay close attention to the spine text and bleed areas. Make any necessary adjustments to your original files and re-upload until the preview is satisfactory. On the final page, set your pricing and royalty options. For eBooks, you can choose between a 35% or 70% royalty plan based on price and other criteria. For print books, royalties are typically 60% minus printing costs. Select territories where you hold distribution rights (usually worldwide) and click “Publish Your Kindle eBook” or “Publish Your Paperback Book.” The book will then go through a review process, which can take up to 72 hours, before becoming live on Amazon.
Step 4: Promote and Manage Your Book
Utilize Amazon’s Marketing Tools
Once your book is live, leverage KDP’s built-in marketing tools. The “Promote and Advertise” tab on your KDP dashboard offers several options. You can enroll your eBook in KDP Select, which grants exclusivity to Amazon for 90 days in exchange for access to Kindle Unlimited (KU) and Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL), plus promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions. Kindle Countdown Deals allow you to offer your eBook at a discount for a limited time while still earning 70% royalties. Free Book Promotions make your eBook free for a few days, which can boost visibility and reviews. Additionally, consider Amazon Ads (formerly AMS ads). You can create sponsored product ads targeting specific keywords or categories, or product display ads targeting similar books. Start with a small budget and monitor performance to optimize your campaigns.
Monitor Sales and Royalties
Regularly check your “Reports” tab on the KDP dashboard. This section provides detailed information on your sales, royalties earned, pages read in Kindle Unlimited, and more. You can view data by title, marketplace, or date range. Understanding these reports is crucial for making informed decisions about your marketing efforts and future publications. For instance, if you see a spike in sales after a specific promotion, you know that strategy was effective. Royalty payments are typically made approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which royalties accrued, provided you meet the minimum payment threshold (e.g., $100 for wire transfers, lower for direct deposit). Keep track of your earnings and expenses for tax purposes.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take for my book to appear on Amazon after publishing?
A: After you click “Publish,” your book typically goes through a review process that can take anywhere from a few hours to 72 hours. Once approved, it usually appears on Amazon within 24 hours, though sometimes it can be faster.
Q: Can I publish both an eBook and a print version of my book on KDP?
A: Yes, absolutely. KDP allows you to publish separate versions for Kindle eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You’ll go through a similar publishing process for each format, linking them together on your KDP dashboard so readers see them as different formats of the same title on your Amazon product page.
Q: Do I need an ISBN for my book if I publish through KDP?
A: For eBooks published through KDP, an ISBN is optional; Amazon assigns a unique ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) for internal tracking. For print books (paperback and hardcover) published through KDP, Amazon will provide a free KDP ISBN. If you wish to purchase your own ISBN (which gives you more control over the publisher of record and broader distribution outside of Amazon), you can do so and enter it during the publishing process.
Q: What are the best ways to get reviews for my book on Amazon?
A: Encourage readers to leave reviews by including a polite request at the end of your book. Promote your book on social media, your author website, and email newsletters, gently reminding readers that reviews are helpful. Participate in author communities or Goodreads groups where review swapping is sometimes done ethically. Avoid incentivizing reviews or asking for 5-star reviews, as this violates Amazon’s terms of service and can lead to your reviews being removed or your account being penalized.
