So, you’ve written a book. Congratulations!
Whether it’s a gripping fantasy adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a thrilling mystery, it’s your brainchild! Well done! And now you want to share it with the world. But the traditional publishing route is not appealing to everyone, with the endless waiting, rejections, and compromises. If this is you, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), could be your gateway to self-publishing success.
Self-publishing on Amazon might seem overwhelming at first. After all, you’re not just the author anymore, you’re the publisher, marketer, and distributor. But the good news is, Amazon makes the process straightforward, and the rewards are well worth the effort.
Here’s what this article will cover;
How To Optimise Your Amazon Book Listing
How To Choose The Right Categories
How To Design an Eye-Catching Cover
Your book’s cover is the first thing potential readers will see on Amazon, so it needs to be compelling and professional. You can design it yourself using FREE tools like Canva. Canva also offers a paid plan which unlocks a lot more features, but you can do just fine with the free plan.
When designing your book cover, remember first impressions matter, and in the world of self-publishing on Amazon, a cover can make or break a book. So start by thinking about the themes in your book; are they quite dark and mysterious? Or adventurous and uplifting? This should influence the colour pallete you choose for your cover. Next think about the characters in your book and the setting of the story. What is so unique about them? Incorporate these unique elements into the book cover. And remember, children are drawn to bright colours and sparkles!
How To Sign Up for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
With your book completed and the editing out the way, you can now start the publishing! The beauty of Amazon’s KDP is that it’s free and offers a global audience. You can self-publish both eBooks and paperbacks, set your own prices, and earn royalties of up to 70%. Creating an account is simple. Just head to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and sign in with your Amazon account, and you’re ready to start.
How To Format Your Book for Kindle
Formatting can be tricky, but thankfully, Amazon provides resources to help you get it right. Use tools like Kindle Create to format your manuscript for both Kindle eBooks and print. This process can take time but it is very important.
Here are the steps;
Prepare Your Manuscript
Use a Word document and keep all your fonts simple e.g. Times New Roman or Arial.
Apply The Styles
Use "Heading" styles for chapter titles, and use proper paragraph formatting with "Normal" style for body text.
Insert Page Breaks
Add page breaks at the end of each chapter (Ctrl + Enter).
Format Front & Back
Include a title page, copyright, dedication, and "About the Author" sections.
Add a Table of Contents
Use automatic Table of contents feature for navigation links.
Check Images and Links
Ensure any images are in the proper format (JPEG or PNG) and that all hyperlinks work correctly.
Save as .docx
This is the preferred format for uploading to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Not PDF.
Use Kindle Previewer
Upload your manuscript to Kindle Previewer, and check how it appears on different devices. This is a crucial step.
Adjust and Upload
Make any necessary adjustments, then upload your manuscript to KDP.
Remember, you want the reader’s experience to be seamless, whether they're reading your book on kindle or paperback.
How To Price Your Book
Pricing your book can be tricky. Amazon lets you choose between a 35% or 70% royalty option for eBooks, depending on your price range. Most self-published authors find success pricing their eBooks between £2.99 and £4.99. This range is affordable enough to attract readers while still providing decent royalties. For paperbacks, you need to take printing costs into account, Unfortunately these have increased significantly in the last year and so many authors are finding their eBooks to be more profitable. Something to consider.
When choosing a price, it is also a good idea to research prices of other books in your genre so you can stay competitive.
How To Optimise Your Amazon Book Listing
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial when listing your book on Amazon. Your book needs to be easily discoverable for your customers. To do this you need to optimise the title, the subtitle, and most importantly, the description. Each of these must contain relevant Amazon keywords. Here you'll find keyword tips, best practices, and even keywords to avoid.
When deciding on your keywords, don't skip out the obvious; What is the genre of your book? Sci-fi? Romance? This is an essential keyword that your readers will likely be searching for. Also think about the themes your book covers, these will be relevant. Once you've got your keywords, you can use tools like Publisher Rocket to research high-traffic keywords related to your book, these are popular keywords that readers are searching. You can then incorporate them into your book’s listing to boost your discoverability again.
Examples of keywords for a children’s fantasy novel; “middle-grade fantasy,” “children’s adventure book,” “fantasy chapter books for kids”. Keywords like these can help your book appear in more search results.
How To Write a Compelling Book Description
Your book description on Amazon is what seals the deal. It really needs to hook readers, giving them just enough of the plot to entice them, but leaving enough mystery to make them want more. Use short, punchy sentences, and focus on your book’s unique selling points. When it comes to the layout, be sure to break it up into bullet points, this will make it easier for customers to read. A large block of text can be off putting. It is also a good idea to mention who the book is suitable for, such as 'A coming-of-age fantasy for both reluctant readers and bookworms' this can help the customer to feel like this book is for them! Don’t forget to end with a 'call-to-action', this is you telling the customer what to do next e.g. “Buy now and get lost in this unforgettable adventure!”
Here's an example of an amazon book description;
A Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure for Kids Aged 8+
Benedict Bagshaw is having the weirdest day of his life. From mysterious creatures appearing in his bedroom to being pulled into a magical world, nothing is as it seems. Benedict is not your typical hero....he's anxious, insecure, and completely unprepared. Yet, through strange adventures, battles with emotions, and unexpected challenges, he discovers strength he never knew he had.
Perfect for fans of fantastical worlds, heart-warming friendships, and thrilling quests, this middle-grade fantasy will captivate children who love epic adventures.
Action-Packed Fantasy: Follow Benedict through mysterious portals, epic challenges, and magical creatures.
Relatable Hero: A perfect read for kids who feel unsure, anxious, or are still discovering their own bravery.
Beautifully Written: A heart-warming emotional journey about friendship, self discovery, and courage.
Ideal for Ages 8-12: A coming-of-age fantasy for both reluctant readers and young bookworms.
Perfect Gift: A great choice for birthdays or Christmas for kids who love magical worlds and adventure.
Buy Now and get lost in this new realm!
How To Choose the Right Categories
When uploading your book, Amazon will ask you to select two categories. These are critical to your book’s visibility. Be specific, don’t just choose broad categories like “Fiction” or “Fantasy.” If your book is a historical fantasy for children, choose something like “Children’s Historical Fiction” or “Fantasy Adventure for Kids.” The more niche your category, the better your chances of ranking high as the competition will be lower. It will also help you reach your target audience.
How To Launch Your Book
Once you have completed all these steps, don’t just hope for the best. Ideally you need a launch plan. In order to give your book the best possible start, you need to build anticipation at least a few weeks before your launch date.
Here’s how:
Pre-orders
KDP allows you to set your book for pre-order up to 90 days in advance. Pre-orders can help you build momentum and create buzz around your book.
Social Media
Share snippets of your book, behind-the-scenes stories, and cover reveals to build excitement. Engage with your followers, and make them feel like part of your book’s journey.
Book A Launch Team
Gather a group of early readers, friends, family, or influencers, who can help promote your book on launch day by leaving reviews and sharing your book with their networks.
How To Market Your Self-Published Book
Once your book is live, marketing is key to getting those sales rolling in. Amazon has its own marketing tools, like Amazon Ads, which can help drive traffic to your book. But you don’t have to rely solely on paid advertising, there are several organic ways to promote your book, too:
Author Website
Build a simple author website that showcases your book, shares your story, and provides readers with a way to stay connected (think newsletter sign-ups!).
Email List
If you’ve been building an email list, now is the time to use it. Send your subscribers a launch email, offer exclusive content, or run a limited-time discount.
Social Media
Platforms like Instagram, X, and Facebook are perfect for engaging directly with your readers. Use hashtags, create visual content (think book trailers or quote graphics), and most importantly, engage!
Conclusion
Self-publishing on Amazon is an exciting journey that puts you in control of your creative destiny. With the right strategies—like keyword optimization, compelling book descriptions, and a solid marketing plan—you can reach a global audience and build a successful author career. So, polish that manuscript, upload it to KDP, and start sharing your story with the world. The readers are out there waiting!
Click for more on how to self publish your book on KDP.