How to Publish a Book On Amazon

Today, self-publishing has revolutionized the industry, giving authors complete control over their work, creative decisions, and earnings. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow authors to publish and sell globally, on their own terms, without gatekeepers or lengthy approval processes.

And the best part? Self-published authors are making real money. In 2022 alone, Amazon KDP paid out a staggering $522 million in royalties, a 16% jump from the $450 million distributed in 2021.

Amazon’s massive reach, powerful recommendation algorithms, and built-in marketing tools make it the go-to platform for self-publishers. Whether you’re a first-time writer or a seasoned author looking to maximize your profits, selling your book on Amazon puts you in control.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to publish and sell your book on Amazon, maximize your royalties, and make your mark in the publishing world, without needing a publisher.

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How to Set Up An Amazon Seller Account

To sell your book on Amazon, you need an Amazon Seller account. This is where you’ll manage everything—book listings, pricing, and payments. The setup is simple, and whether you’re publishing one book or multiple titles, Amazon gives you the tools to handle everything yourself.

How to Create an Amazon Seller Account

1. Go to Amazon Seller Central – This is Amazon’s platform for managing book sales.

2. Choose Your Account Type – There are two options:

• Individual Account – If you plan to sell fewer than 40 books per month, this is the most cost-effective choice. There’s no monthly fee, but Amazon takes a per-book selling fee.
• Professional Account – If you expect higher sales, this plan charges a monthly fee but removes per-item fees and gives access to advanced tools, like bulk listing and Amazon Ads.

3. Enter Your Personal Information – Your name, email, and a password are required to create your account.

4. Provide Business Details – If you’re publishing under your own name, you can enter your personal details. If you have a business, you’ll need to add your company name and address.

5. Submit Tax Information – Amazon needs your Tax Identification Number (TIN) for tax reporting.

• If you’re a sole proprietor, you can use your Social Security Number (SSN).
• If you have a business entity, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

6. Set Up Your Payment Details – Enter your bank account information so Amazon can deposit your Amazon book publishing royalties. Make sure everything is correct to avoid delays in getting paid.

Choosing the Right Selling Plan

If you’re only selling a single book or making occasional sales, the Individual Plan makes the most sense. If you’re publishing multiple books or plan to sell consistently, the Professional Plan is a better choice since it includes bulk listing tools, inventory management, and access to Amazon’s advertising services.

Getting your Amazon Seller account set up correctly ensures that payments arrive on time and that your book appears in Amazon self-publishing listings without issues.

Self Publishing Amazon Royalties: How Much Can You Earn?

Royalties on Amazon depend on book format, pricing, and distribution choices. Understanding how Amazon pays authors helps in setting the right price and maximizing author earnings while keeping books competitive in the marketplace.

Amazon Ebook Royalties (Kindle Direct Publishing – KDP)

If you’re publishing a Kindle ebook, Amazon offers two royalty options:

70% royalty option

• Available for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99
• Distribution must include select territories (like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia)
• A small delivery fee is deducted based on file size (usually a few cents per book)

35% royalty option

• Available for books priced below $2.99 or above $9.99
• No delivery fees apply
• Works in all Amazon territories

For most authors, the 70% royalty option is the best choice, as it allows for higher earnings per sale. A book priced at $4.99 will earn about $3.40 per sale under the 70% plan, compared to $1.75 per sale under the 35% plan.

Amazon Paperback Royalties

Paperback royalties are different from ebooks because printing costs are involved.

• Amazon pays 60% of the list price for paperback sales.
• Printing costs are deducted before royalties are calculated.
• The total royalty amount depends on page count, paper type, and book dimensions.

For example:

• A 200-page paperback priced at $12.99 would generate approximately $4.55 in royalties after printing costs.
• A 350-page book priced at $14.99 would earn around $4.10 per sale, as printing costs are higher.

Amazon’s Print Cost Calculator helps estimate how much you’ll earn per book.

KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited Earnings

Authors who enroll their book in KDP Select can earn additional income through Kindle Unlimited (KU) and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL).

• Readers can borrow your book, and you earn money based on how many pages they read.
• Amazon pays from the KDP Global Fund, which varies each month.
• On average, authors earn $0.004 to $0.005 per page read.

A 300-page book fully read in KU could earn around $1.20 to $1.50 per reader. This is often more than what a sale at a low price would generate, making KDP Select a valuable option for high-engagement genres like romance and thrillers.

How to Format Your Book for Amazon Publishing

Before uploading your manuscript to Amazon, it’s important to ensure that it’s properly formatted for both Kindle and paperback versions. Proper formatting ensures that your book looks professional and provides a better reading experience for your audience.

Formatting for Kindle Ebooks

• Amazon recommends using .mobi or .epub files for Kindle ebooks.
  
• Ensure your manuscript has clean formatting, with properly sized images, correct margins, and consistent fonts.
  
• You can format your book manually using tools like Microsoft Word or use software like Scrivener or Reedsy to make the process easier.

Formatting for Print (Paperback)

• For paperback versions, your manuscript should be formatted according to Amazon’s print specifications.
  
• Amazon’s Print Previewer tool helps you check if the print file matches their specifications.
  
• You will also need to upload a cover designed to Amazon’s specifications, which can be done manually or using Amazon’s Cover Creator tool.

Choosing the Right Price for Your Book on Amazon

Pricing your book correctly is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. For Kindle ebooks, Amazon offers two royalty options: 70% for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and 35% for books priced outside this range. 

To maximize your earnings, it’s typically best to price within the $2.99–$9.99 range. Researching your genre will help you find a competitive price point.

When pricing a paperback, you must consider printing costs, which Amazon deducts before calculating your royalties. A 200-page paperback priced at $12.99, for example, will yield around $4.55 in royalties after printing costs. 

Use Amazon’s Print Cost Calculator to estimate your potential earnings based on your book’s dimensions, page count, and paper type.

How to Market Your Book on Amazon

Effective marketing is key to selling your book on Amazon. By focusing on your book’s genre and relevant interests, you can increase visibility and attract readers. Here are several ways to boost your book’s visibility:

Amazon Ads:

• Create pay-per-click (PPC) ads to target specific keywords, genres, and reader interests.
  
• Ads help drive traffic and increase visibility on Amazon.

Amazon Author Central:

• Set up a dedicated author profile with a bio, photo, and links to your social media.
  
• Engage with readers and build your author brand.

Encourage Reviews:

• Ask readers to leave reviews in your book’s back matter.
  
• Positive reviews help build credibility and attract new readers.

KDP Select Promotional Tools:

• If enrolled in KDP Select, you can access Kindle Countdown Deals or free promotions to increase visibility.
  
• These tools work particularly well in high-engagement genres like romance and thrillers.

Managing Your Book’s Performance and Sales

Once your book is published, monitoring its performance is key. Amazon’s KDP Dashboard provides detailed reports showing your book’s sales, royalties, and payment history. By regularly reviewing these, you can make informed decisions about adjusting pricing, running ads, or exploring new marketing tactics.

If your book isn’t selling as expected, you can consider tweaking your price or promoting it more through additional channels, such as social media or email marketing. You can also adjust your Amazon Ads campaigns based on performance to fine-tune your marketing strategy.

Also, keep track of reader reviews. Not only can they provide valuable feedback, but they can help you assess what works and what doesn’t in your book, enabling you to improve future projects.

FAQ: How to Publish on Amazon