You finished your book.
Now you’re staring at Amazon, trying to figure out what actually happens next. What to click. What matters. What doesn’t. And how not to accidentally mess something up after all that work.
Because publishing on Amazon isn’t hard. But it is easy to do wrong.
There are a few steps that really matter. A few decisions that quietly affect your book’s chances. And a bunch of spots where most authors rush, guess, or gloss over things they shouldn’t.
So in this updated guide for 2026, I’m going to walk you through the exact process you’ll see inside Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), from the moment you log in to the moment your book goes live.
We’ll cover how to upload your files, how to set up your book’s details, how pricing and royalties actually work, and what to double-check before you hit publish.
Let’s get into it.
What You Will Need: Publishing Essentials
Before you even open KDP and start clicking around, there are a few things you should already have figured out.
(After all, stopping mid-upload to guess at stuff is how mistakes happen.)
These are the pieces you’ll be filling in as you go, so it helps to have them ready.
1. The Title and Subtitle
At this point, you should know what you’re calling the book. And not just from a creative standpoint. Your title plays a role in how your book gets found on Amazon. That matters more than most people realize.
If you need help, see our articles about how to title a book, and how to choose a subtitle that sells.
2. Your Author Name
Real name, pen name, whatever you’ve chosen (just be consistent).
This is what readers will see, and it’s what Amazon will attach to your books going forward.
If you need inspiration, check out our article about how to choose a good pen name.
3. Your Book Description
Think of your book description more like a miniature sales page rather than a summary.
Most authors treat it like an afterthought, then wonder why their page doesn’t convert. Formatting matters here. Line breaks matter. Emphasis matters.
If you don’t want to mess with HTML yourself, use the free Kindlepreneur Book Description Generator to format it before you paste it into KDP.
And if you need some pointers, we have an article on how to write a fantastic book description.
4. Your Categories
You’ll be able to choose up to three, but choose carefully.
Some categories are easy to rank in. Some are impossible. Some look real but are “ghost categories” that aren’t actually browsable by shoppers. You want the ones that real people can find.
Figure this out before you upload so you’re not guessing. Publisher Rocket will help.
Our in-depth article on selecting Amazon categories will help too.
5. Your Keywords
This is where you tell Amazon what your book should show up for (the actual search phrases people use, not just vague ideas).
Most people rush this part and type in whatever comes to mind. That’s a mistake. Do a little research. Think in phrases. If you want help validating demand and competition, tools like Publisher Rocket exist for a reason.
Our guide on choosing Kindle keywords is a great resource you should read.
6. Your eBook File
You’ll need a clean, valid file. EPUB is best, but KDP also accepts DOCX and KPF.
Our guide on the different eBook file types goes over each if you're unfamiliar with any.
Whatever you use, preview it before uploading. Don’t assume it looks fine.
And if you'd like to make things easier on yourself, use a formatting tool (not just Google Sheets or Microsoft Word). We recommend Atticus, which beyond helping you create amazing eBooks, will also help you format print books.
More on that next.
7. Your Print File
If you’re publishing print versions, you’ll need properly formatted PDFs. Tools like Atticus make this easier, but the key thing is that the files are truly print-ready.
You can add print editions after your eBook is live, so don’t stress if you’re starting with digital.
8. Your Book Cover
This matters more than most authors want to admit.
KDP has a basic cover creator, but very few books stand out when they use it. Have a real cover file ready. This is the first impression.
If you need pointers, our guide on book covers will help.
9. Your ISBN (Optional)
For print books, you can use your own ISBN or let Amazon assign one. Using your own means you’re listed as the publisher. Some authors care about that. Some don’t.
If you aren't sure, our guides on what an ISBN is and how to get an ISBN will help.
Kindlepreneur also has a free ISBN barcode generator, which is handy.
10. Your Price
Have a general idea before you start. Look at other books in your genre. See what the typical price point is for books in your genre inside Publisher Rocket. Kindlepreneur's free sales calculator can help too.
Think about what you’re trying to do with this release. You can change your price later, but it helps to go in with a plan.
Setting Up Your KDP Account
Okay, first things first…
If you haven’t already, you need a Kindle Direct Publishing account. That’s where all your publishing happens.
Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your regular Amazon login if you already have one. If you don’t, go ahead and create one first. You can make a new Amazon login just for publishing, or use your everyday one (up to you.)
Once you’re in, KDP will ask you to fill a few things out before you can publish:
Complete your profile info
This is your name, address, and phone number. Nothing fancy, just the basics so Amazon knows who you are.
Set up payments
You’ll be asked for your bank account and routing number (or whatever the equivalent is where you live) so Amazon can send you royalties.
Handle your tax info
You’ll need to enter tax info that applies to your situation. In the U.S. that’s your Social Security number or EIN. If you’re outside the U.S., you’ll enter your local tax info so Amazon doesn’t hold back extra withholding.
Here’s the thing about this part: if you skip any of it, Amazon will remind you later when you try to publish. And honestly, it’s just easier to get it squared away first than to stop midway through an upload.
Once all that’s done, you’ll land on the KDP dashboard (your Bookshelf) and that’s where the real fun begins.
Starting Your First Book in KDP
Once your account is set up, you’ll land on your KDP dashboard. This is your home base. It’s where all your books live, and where you’ll start every new upload.
To add a new book, click Create and you’ll see a few options:
• Kindle eBook
• Paperback
• Hardcover
For this guide, we’re going to start with the Kindle eBook option.
We’re starting with the ebook because it’s the most straightforward version to upload. And once your ebook is live, you can add a paperback or hardcover version right from your dashboard. The steps are almost identical.
So if your plan is to publish in multiple formats, don’t worry. You’re not locking yourself into anything here.
You’re just starting with the easiest version first.
Once you click Create Kindle eBook, Amazon will take you through three main pages:
- Kindle eBook Details
- Kindle eBook Content
- Kindle eBook Pricing
We’ll walk through each of those next.
Step 1: Kindle eBook Details
This is the first real screen where Amazon starts building your book’s page.
Everything you enter here becomes public-facing in some way, and a lot of it influences how your book gets found. So don’t rush through it.
Let’s go top to bottom.
Language
Pick the language your book is written in. Simple.
Book Title and Subtitle
Enter your exact title and subtitle here.
No experimenting. No “I’ll change this later.” This is what readers will see, and it’s what Amazon indexes.
Series (if applicable)
If this book is part of a series, this is where you link it. You’ll enter the series name and the book’s number in that series.
If it’s a standalone, skip this.
Edition Number
This is only for new versions of an already-published book. If this is your first time publishing it, leave this alone.
Author
Enter your author name or pen name exactly how you want it to appear on Amazon.
Contributors
This is where you can credit editors, illustrators, translators, and co-authors.
Most people can skip this unless it’s truly relevant to your book.
Description
This is one of the most important fields on the entire page.
This is your pitch.
People skim. They don’t read. Formatting matters. Big blocks of text get ignored.
KDP uses basic HTML here, which means you can add line breaks, bolding, italics, and lists.
If you don’t want to touch HTML, use the free Kindlepreneur Book Description Generator. It lets you format everything visually and then paste the code in.
Publishing Rights
If you wrote the book, you own the rights. Select that option.
Public domain only applies if the work is genuinely in the public domain.
Categories
You’ll be able to choose up to three categories for your book.
At this stage, the goal isn’t to explore or experiment. You should already know which categories you’re using and why. This is about applying the decision you made earlier, not making it on the fly.
Pick categories that fit your book and give it a realistic shot at visibility. Then move on.
Keywords
You get seven keyword slots to tell Amazon what your book should appear for in search results.
These work best when you think in phrases, not single words. Focus on how real readers search when they’re looking to buy a book like yours.
Be sure to take time to research what people are actually typing into Amazon, and choose keywords that match both your book and reader intent. Guessing here usually leads to missed visibility.
Age and Grade Range
This is mostly for when you're publishing children’s books. If it doesn’t apply to you, skip it.
Pre-order
This is where you decide whether your book goes live immediately or on a future date.
If you choose pre-order, readers can buy your book before it’s released.
Choose the option that fits your situation.
Once you’ve filled everything out, hit Save and Continue.
Now we move on to the next page.
Step 2: Kindle Ebook Content
This is the part where you upload the actual pieces of the book.
There are a few decisions here, but most of them are more straightforward than they look.
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
You’ll be asked whether you want to enable DRM.
DRM is meant to limit copying and sharing of your ebook. There are reasonable arguments on both sides, and this isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision.
In general, Amazon currently recommends enabling DRM for most ebooks, especially with recent changes to how Kindle files are handled. If you’re unsure, it’s worth understanding what DRM does before deciding. Our article on Amazon's DRM changes goes into more detail, so check it out if you'd like to learn more about Digital Rights Management.
One important note: You can change your DRM selection for future uploads in KDP, but not for a version that’s already live.
Upload Your Manuscript
This is where you upload your eBook file.
EPUB is the preferred format, but KDP also accepts DOCX and KPF files. Use whatever you created your book in, as long as it’s clean and properly formatted.
Once the file uploads, Amazon will process it. If there are errors, you’ll see warnings here. Don’t ignore them.
Kindle eBook Cover
Next, you’ll choose how your cover is added.
You can either use KDP’s built-in Cover Creator or upload your own cover file.
The Cover Creator works, but it’s limited. Most authors who care about how their book looks upload a professionally designed cover instead. If you have one, this is where it goes.
Launch Previewer
Before moving on, open the Kindle Previewer.
This lets you see what your book looks like on different Kindle devices and in the Kindle app. Scroll through it. Click around. Look for formatting issues.
This is your last easy chance to catch problems before readers do.
ISBN
You’ll see an ISBN field here.
ISBNs are not required for Kindle ebooks. You can leave this blank.
(ISBNs matter for print books, which we’ll cover later.)
Once everything looks good, click Save and Continue to move on to pricing.
Step 3: Kindle eBook Pricing
This is the final page before your book goes live.
You’re not uploading files here. You’re making distribution and pricing decisions.
KDP Select
First, you’ll see the option to enroll in KDP Select.
This determines whether your eBook is exclusive to Amazon for 90 days. Enrolling gives you access to things like Kindle Unlimited and promotional tools. The trade-off is that you can’t sell the eBook anywhere else during that period.
Some authors use it. Some don’t. It depends on your goals. If you'd like to learn some of the pros and cons, check out Dave's breakdown article on it.
Jake sure you understand what you’re agreeing to before checking the box.
Territories
Next, you’ll choose where Amazon has the right to sell your book.
Most authors select worldwide rights. If you have a specific reason not to, you’ll know it.
Pricing and Royalties
Now you’ll set your price and choose your royalty option.
This isn’t something to rush. Look at other books in your genre. Pay attention to what readers expect to pay. Amazon will also show you how different price points affect your royalty.
There’s no perfect number here. You’re making a judgment call based on your goals for the book.
If you see a warning about missing account information at any point, stop and fix it. Amazon won’t let you publish until everything is complete.
Once you’re satisfied, click Publish (or Submit for Pre-order, if that’s what you chose earlier).
After You Publish
Once you submit your book, Amazon takes it from there.
Your eBook will go into review. This usually takes up to 72 hours, though it’s often faster.
You’ll get an email when your book is live.
When that happens, go to your book’s Amazon page and look it over. Check the description. Click the preview. Make sure everything looks the way you expected.
If something’s off, fix it now while you’re still close to the process.
Once everything looks right, you’re done. Your book is live.
Adding Paperback and Hardcover Editions
Once your ebook is live, you can add print editions right from your KDP dashboard.
Instead of starting from scratch, you start from the book you already uploaded.
On your Bookshelf, you’ll see options to create a Paperback or Hardcover version next to your eBook. Click one and KDP will walk you through a familiar process.
Most of the details are already filled in, which makes this part easier than the first upload.
There are a few things that are specific to print:
Print Files
Print books use different files than eBooks.
You’ll need a print-ready interior PDF and a cover file built specifically for print. Print covers are full wraps — front, spine, and back — sized to match your trim size and page count.
These files are usually created by formatting software or a designer, not by exporting your ebook.
If you’re not sure whether a file is print-ready, stop and double-check. This is one of the most common places authors run into issues.
Trim Size, Bleed, and Paper Settings
This is where you choose the physical details of the book.
Trim size is the finished size of the book in a reader’s hands. Bleed refers to whether any text or images extend all the way to the edge of the page. Paper type affects thickness and color.
If those terms are new to you, don’t panic. KDP provides explanations for each option, and most books use standard settings. The important thing is to make sure these choices match how your interior and cover files were created.
When in doubt, stop and double-check before moving on.
Proofing Matters
Use the print previewer carefully. Look for page breaks, margins, and any odd spacing. This is also where ordering a physical proof can make sense before publishing.
The rest of the flow (pricing, territories, and publishing) will feel familiar.
Once approved, your paperback or hardcover will appear on the same Amazon product page as your eBook, grouped together as different formats.
Setting Up a Series Page
If your book is part of a series, KDP lets you group those books together on a dedicated series page.
This is optional, and it’s not something you need to do right away (especially if you’re publishing your first book). It becomes more useful once you have more than one book available.
When you create a series, there are a few fields you’ll see:
Series Title
This is the name of the series as readers will see it on Amazon. Keep it consistent with how you reference the series elsewhere. Changing it later can cause confusion.
Reading Order
You’ll assign each book its place in the series. This helps Amazon display the books correctly and helps readers know where to start.
Series Description
This is a short explanation of what the series is about. It doesn’t need to be long or clever. Its job is to give readers context when they land on the series page.
Series Image
You can upload an image for the series page. Many authors use a variation of the cover design or a simple branded graphic. This is optional and not something you need to overthink.
You can create or manage a series from your KDP dashboard at any time. You don’t need every book published to set one up, and you can always come back and adjust this later.
If you’re publishing a standalone book or your first book in what might become a series, it’s perfectly fine to skip this for now.
Video: How to Upload a Book to Amazon
For a nice summary of this article, along with a few personal thoughts on the subject, be sure to check out this video on how to format upload your book to Amazon.
Want more videos like this? Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly videos!
You’re Ready to Publish
At this point, you know how the process works.
You know what to prepare, where to click, what to slow down for, and what not to overthink. That alone puts you ahead of most first-time authors.
Once your book is live and everything looks right, the next step is figuring out how you want people to find it. That’s where marketing comes in, and it’s a separate conversation entirely.
When you’re ready to think about what comes after publishing, Authorpreneur Academy is one option worth looking at.
It’s built for authors who want a clearer path — not just for getting a book live, but for understanding how writing, publishing, and visibility actually fit together. It walks through the process in order, focuses on what matters most at each stage, and helps you avoid the detours that tend to slow people down.
Some authors like figuring things out one piece at a time. Others prefer fewer open questions and a more complete picture.
If you’re in that second camp, having a structured framework can make the publishing side of things feel a lot less uncertain (especially after you’ve just gone through your first KDP upload).
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An earlier version of this article was authored by Jason Hamilton. It has been rewritten and expanded for freshness and comprehensiveness.
