Imagine typing “publish a book on Amazon” into Google and feeling shocked by the number of results, pricing complexities, formatting nightmares, and strategic decisions—every step seemingly critical to success. That’s exactly how most authors feel.
This guide goes beyond checklists. It’s written to walk you through how to publish a book on Amazon in a friendly, step-by-step way. We’ll cover both eBooks and print editions, dive into cost breakdowns (even free options), explore how to make money, and share insider tips on marketing, pricing, and earning real royalties. Along the way, you’ll discover how Estorytellers can simplify the process with editing, formatting, marketing, and publishing expertise—so your creation isn’t just listed, it’s seen, read, and earned from.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear roadmap—from first draft to sales dashboard—and a better sense of what you need to bring your vision to bookstore-ready life.
1. Choosing Your Format: eBook, Paperback, or Both
eBook vs. Print vs. Bundle
Before you hit “publish,” ask: what format should your book take?
- eBook only: Great for low-cost entry and global reach—perfect for novels, self-help, fiction.
- Paperback/Hardcover only: Ideal for memoirs, cookbooks, gift items, or when you need a physical presence.
- Both formats: Best for serious authors wanting maximum reach.
Why offer both? Because each format captures different buyers. Some discover your eBook, love it, and want a printed copy. Others want the tactile experience and upgrade later. Offering both opens revenue streams, and Amazon is happy to make both versions available automatically.
2. How to Publish On Amazon KDP Basics: What’s Free, What’s Not
Kindle Direct Publishing – A No-Cost Platform
Publishing on KDP is free. You don’t pay to list your eBook or print copy. That’s why so many authors write “how to publish a book on Amazon for free.”
But there are costs:
- Optional costs: proofreading, editing, cover design, formatting, marketing.
- Print cost: for physical books, Amazon deducts printing fees before royalty.
- Royalty tiers: 35% or 70% royalty levels for eBooks depending on price and region.
While you can publish absolutely free, many authors—including Estorytellers clients—find that investing in editing, design, and marketing pays huge dividends in visibility and sales.
3. Manuscript Preparation: Formatting that Converts
eBook Formatting Essentials
eBooks are reflowable, so formatting looks smooth on Kindle devices and apps—but upload a messy file and you risk rejection or poor readability.
Here’s a clean checklist:
- Use Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) or EPUB.
- Remove manual page breaks or unnecessary tabs.
- Use Styles (Heading 1–5) consistently for chapter titles.
- Hyperlink table of contents to chapter headings.
- Add Front Matter: title page, copyright, dedication.
- Add Back Matter: author bio, author website, newsletter link.
Print Formatting Essentials
For paperbacks or hardcovers, formatting must match your trim size and include bleeds:
- Use a print-ready PDF.
- Set accurate page size, bleed, and margins.
- Embed your font files (e.g., Times New Roman).
- Insert header/footer for page numbers and running titles.
- Export at 300 dpi for print quality.
Estorytellers can format and export both versions for you, knowing exactly which settings Amazon demands, saving you time and ensuring a professional look.
4. Crafting a Book Cover that Sells
Why Covers Matter
Your cover is the face of your book. It shows up in tiny Amazon thumbnails and digital libraries—so it must catch the eye and communicate genre, tone, and quality instantly.
Cover Requirements
- eBook cover: Must be a JPEG or TIFF, sized between 1,000 and 2,560 px (ideally 1,600 × 2,560 px).
- Paperback cover: Includes front, spine, and back in one PDF; size depends on trim and page count.
DIY vs. Pro Design
Can you use stock templates? Yes. But custom is better. Good covers sell at scale. Estorytellers offers professional designers who create covers aligned to your genre while translating your story into visuals that drive clicks across digital and print formats.
5. Metadata, Categories & Keywords: The SEO Mechanics
What is Metadata?
- Title & subtitle: Make it searchable. Include your genre or hook.
- Book description: Amazon uses this as your “sales pitch.”
- Keywords: Up to 7 search phrases Amazon uses to recommend books.
- Categories: Pick two; add keywords to the backend for extra visibility.
SEO Tips
- Include main keywords in title/subtitle: How to Publish a Book on Amazon – Ebook & Print.
- Use strong Amazon category path: e.g., Writing Reference / Publishing & Books.
- For keywords: use tools like KDSpy or Amazon’s search suggestions to test long-tail phrases like “how to publish a book on Amazon and make money.”
Estorytellers helps you craft metadata that ranks and compels readers to buy.
6. Pricing Strategy & Royalties
eBook Royalty Tiers
- 70% royalty: priced $2.99–$9.99 (with delivery fee).
- 35% royalty: outside that range or in restricted countries.
Print Royalties
Print royalties depend on page count, ink, and distribution channel. Amazon offers a royalty calculator during upload.
Pricing Tips
- Launch an introductory price (99¢ to $2.99).
- Raise the price after launch, and notify your reader list or Amazon reviews.
- Match to genre standards: most fiction eBooks sell around $3–5, non-fiction between $7–15.
Estorytellers gives pricing advice based on genre benchmarks and Amazon data, so you price to sell and profit.
7. Uploading & Launch Setup
Step-by-Step KDP Process
- In KDP dashboard, click Create New Title.
- Choose eBook, paperback, or both.
- Upload your formatted manuscript and cover.
- Preview using the KDP online viewer.
- Enter title, subtitle, author name.
- Write your book description and bullet points.
- Choose categories and keywords.
- Upload ISBN (or use a free KDP ISBN for paperback).
- Set territories (e.g., world rights).
- Set pricing and royalty option.
- Click Publish.
After Publishing
It may take up to 72 hours for your book to appear live. Estorytellers can walk through this with you and help create a launch checklist with pre-scheduling for cover reveals, email blasts, or ad campaigns.
8. Marketing Tactics That Actually Work
Publishing is just one half of success. Marketing gets books discovered.
Launch Sequencing
- Soft launch: Share ARCs (advance review copies). Encourage early reviews.
- Launch week: Push promotions like Kindle Countdown Deals or price discounts.
- Post-launch: Sustain momentum through ads, interviews, and content marketing.
Building Your Author Platform
- Email list: Offer a free short story or 10% discount.
- Social media: Focus on reader hotspots (Goodreads, Instagram bookstagram).
- Blogging or podcasting: Talk about your writing process or genre.
Estorytellers helps with marketing, pre-launch strategy, copywriting, email campaigns, landing pages, and “coming soon” assets—so when launch day arrives, everything is ready.
9. Amazon Ads, KDP Select & Promotions
KDP Select Enrollment
Enroll gives 90-day exclusivity for your eBook in exchange for promotional access, like 5-day free days or Countdown Deals.
- Pros: Boost discoverability and page reads.
- Cons: No sharing your book on other stores during the period.
Estorytellers can help you with ad strategy and whether KDP Select aligns with your goals.
Amazon Advertising
Amazon Ads can be tricky. Our strategy includes:
- Automatic campaigns to test keywords.
- Manual campaigns targeting profitable keywords and categories.
- Optimize for ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sale): aim for <30%.
Estorytellers provides ad management support—so your ads pay for themselves and scale.
Tracking, Scaling & Earning
Monitoring Performance
Use the KDP Sales Dashboard (updated daily) and Reports (monthly) to:
- Track units sold and royalties
- See royalty statements (qualifying royalties paid ~60 days after sale)
- Monitor promotions and ad efficiency
Scaling Up
- Series writing builds evergreen income.
- Bundles and price promotions increase average order value.
- Translations and audiobooks open new revenue streams.
Estorytellers supports multi-format publishing, series planning, and launch scaling.
Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes
Here are typical issues new authors face—and how to solve them:
- Poor sales despite publishing? Check your cover, metadata, and launch sequence.
- Negative reviews on formatting issues? Revise formatting and offer updated versions.
- Ads too expensive? Pause campaigns, adjust bids, or optimize metadata.
Estorytellers helps diagnose underperformance and provides solutions—from editing to marketing to conversions.
Why Estorytellers Makes Everything Easier
Often authors plateau because they juggle dozens of complex tasks. Estorytellers consolidates those contents in one place:
- Creative feedback and editing
- Professional store-ready formatting
- Custom cover + KDP-ready interior
- Metadata optimization and launch planning
- Ad support and follow-up scaling strategy
We have helped hundreds of authors not just publish & market their books, but also grow their writing business sustainably.
14. Conclusion & Next Steps
Publishing on Amazon can feel like a marathon. You’re competing in a crowded marketplace, learning tech hurdles, and trying to promote with limited visibility.
But it can be done—and you don’t have to learn everything the hard way. This guide gives you both strategic clarity and practical steps, covering everything from how to publish an eBook on Amazon to pricing strategies, launch tactics, and beyond.
However, real success requires more than information—it requires action and support. That’s where Estorytellers fits in. They provide the knowledge, hands-on execution, and long-term guidance to ensure your book reaches readers—and earns as it deserves.
Your Next Move
- If you want to DIY: start formatting, draft that cover, set up your KDP account.
- If you want a smooth, professional path: talk to Estorytellers about their launch packages.
Go ahead—hit “Publish”! You’ve got a story in you worth sharing, and Amazon (with a little help) can make sure it’s heard.
