Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing on Amazon KDP

Publishing a book has never been easier — thanks to Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). Whether you’re an author, illustrator, or self-publisher, KDP allows you to share your work with readers across the world in just a few clicks.

But to publish successfully, you need more than a great story — you need to understand the process from start to finish.
This detailed guide walks you through how to publish a book on Amazon KDP step by step, ensuring your children’s book, novel, or eBook looks professional and reaches the right audience.

✏️ Step 1: Create Your Amazon KDP Account

The first step is to set up your KDP account at kdp.amazon.com.
You can sign in using your existing Amazon account or create a new one specifically for publishing.

Once you log in, KDP will ask for some basic information:

• Your full name or business name

• Payment and tax details

• Bank account information for royalty payments

Make sure all details are accurate — this is how Amazon will pay you for your book sales.

📚 Step 2: Choose What Type of Book You Want to Publish

Amazon KDP supports two main formats:

1. Paperback or Hardcover: Printed physical copies available to customers worldwide.

2. eBook (Kindle): A digital version that can be read on Kindle devices, tablets, and apps.

You can publish either one or both. Many authors release both versions together to reach the widest audience possible.

🎨 Step 3: Prepare Your Manuscript

Before uploading your book, make sure your manuscript is properly formatted.

If it’s a children’s picture book, prepare the interior pages as a print-ready PDF in the correct trim size (e.g., 8.5x8.5 inches).
For text-based books, format your manuscript in Word or InDesign, ensuring:

• Consistent fonts and spacing

• Page numbers where needed

• Proper margins and bleed areas (if images extend to the edge)

For eBooks, save your file as .docx, .epub, or .kpf using Kindle Create — Amazon’s free formatting tool.

🖼️ Step 4: Design a Professional Book Cover

Your cover is the first thing readers notice — and it can make or break a sale.
A professional cover should look clean, readable, and genre-appropriate.

Include:

• A clear, bold title and author name

• High-contrast colors that stand out in thumbnails

• A back cover with blurb, barcode, and author bio (for paperbacks)

Amazon provides a KDP Cover Template Generator, which helps you create the correct dimensions based on your trim size and page count.

If you’re not confident designing it yourself, consider hiring a professional book cover designer. Whimsy Studio, for instance, creates custom children’s book covers perfectly sized for KDP and IngramSpark.

📖 Step 5: Set Up Your Book Details

In your KDP dashboard, click “Create a New Title.” Choose either Kindle eBook or Paperback and fill in the book details carefully.

This includes:

• Book title and subtitle: Keep it catchy and keyword-rich.

• Author name: Exactly as you want it to appear on Amazon.

• Description: Write an engaging summary using emotional language.

• Keywords: Add 7–10 phrases readers might search for (e.g., children’s bedtime stories, picture book about kindness).

• Categories: Choose the most relevant two categories, such as Children’s Picture Books or Early Learning.

• Age and grade range: For children’s books, select the appropriate audience (e.g., Ages 3–7).

These details help Amazon’s algorithm display your book to the right readers.

📂 Step 6: Upload Your Manuscript and Cover Files

Once your details are ready, KDP will prompt you to upload:

• Manuscript (interior) file — PDF for print books, EPUB for eBooks.

• Cover file — PDF or JPEG in exact KDP dimensions.

Use the Previewer Tool to check how your book looks on screen and in print.
Make sure text isn’t cut off, images align correctly, and margins are balanced.

For full-bleed picture books, verify that artwork extends to the page edge without white borders.

💲 Step 7: Choose Pricing and Royalties

KDP lets you set your own list price.

For eBooks, you’ll choose between:

• 35% royalty: Available for books priced below $2.99 or above $9.99.

• 70% royalty: Available for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 in eligible regions.

For print books, you earn a fixed royalty (usually 60% of list price minus printing costs).

To decide on pricing, research similar books in your genre. For children’s picture books, most prices range between $8.99 and $12.99.

🌎 Step 8: Select Distribution Options

When you publish on KDP, your book automatically appears on Amazon.com and its global marketplaces (like Amazon UK, Canada, and Australia).

You can also enable Expanded Distribution for paperbacks. This makes your book available to libraries and bookstores through distributors like Ingram.

If you’re planning to sell through IngramSpark separately, you may choose to disable expanded distribution on KDP to avoid duplication.

🧾 Step 9: Preview, Proof, and Publish

Before clicking “Publish,” take time to review every detail.

Check that:

• Metadata (title, author, categories) is correct

• Images and fonts display properly

• There are no typos or layout errors

You can order a physical proof copy to see how the book looks in print. This step is especially important for illustrated books — colors and alignment can appear slightly different on paper.

Once everything looks perfect, click “Publish Your Paperback” or “Publish Your eBook.”

Your book will usually go live within 24 to 72 hours.

📈 Step 10: Market Your Book

Publishing is only the beginning — marketing brings your book to life.

Promote your book through:

• Amazon Ads: Run small keyword-based ad campaigns to increase visibility.

• Social Media: Share artwork, behind-the-scenes sketches, and reviews on Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok.

• Author Website: Create a landing page with a purchase link and blog content.

• Email List: Collect reader emails to share updates and new releases.

Encourage early buyers to leave reviews — they’re critical for building trust and boosting your ranking.

💡 Bonus Tips for Success

• Always proofread and double-check your files before publishing.

• Keep your KDP dashboard organized by naming files clearly (e.g., “BookTitle_Final_v2.pdf”).

• Use KDP’s free tools like Kindle Create or Cover Creator if you’re just starting out.

• Continue updating your keywords and description to improve visibility over time.

🌟 Conclusion

Publishing on Amazon KDP is an empowering journey.
It allows independent authors and illustrators to reach readers worldwide — without needing a publisher or big budget.

With careful planning, professional design, and smart marketing, you can transform your story into a book that inspires, entertains, and sells.

The key is to focus on quality — from your illustrations and formatting to your description and cover design. When your book looks professional, readers notice.

✏️ Publish Your Story with Whimsy Studio

At Whimsy Studio, we specialize in children’s book illustration, cover design, and KDP formatting to make your publishing journey effortless.
From vibrant artwork to print-ready files, we help authors create beautiful books that meet Amazon’s exact publishing standards.

Let’s bring your story to life and share it with the world through KDP — one colorful page at a time.