Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the largest self-publishing platform and the default choice for most first-time authors. It handles ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers.
Other options include IngramSpark for wider bookstore and library distribution, and aggregators like Draft2Digital that send your ebook to Apple Books, Kobo and others.
Many authors start on KDP and expand later.
Get the manuscript genuinely ready
Readers can tell when a book was rushed. Before publishing:
- Complete at least two full revision passes
- Get feedback from beta readers in your target audience
- Hire a copy editor or proofreader if your budget allows
- Read the final file on an e-reader or phone, not just your computer
Invest in the cover
Your cover is your main advert. On a store page it appears as a small thumbnail, so it must read clearly at tiny sizes.
Study the bestsellers in your category. Your cover should signal the same genre while still standing out.
Understand the AI rules
This is the area that catches new authors out most often in 2026.
Amazon asks authors to disclose AI-generated content when they publish. The rules distinguish between content created by AI, such as text or images, and content you wrote yourself with AI tools assisting, for example with editing or brainstorming.
Getting this wrong can lead to removed listings or account problems. Before you upload, read a clear breakdown of the Amazon KDP AI disclosure policy so you know exactly which boxes to tick.
A simple rule of thumb: if AI produced words or images that appear in the final book, you likely need to disclose it.
Set the right price
Ebook pricing affects your royalty rate on KDP. Many debut authors price ebooks between 2.99 and 4.99 USD to qualify for the higher royalty band while staying attractive to new readers.
Paperback prices depend on page count and printing costs. KDP shows you the minimum price before you publish.
Write a strong book description
The description is your sales pitch. Keep it short and focused:
- A hook in the first line
- The main character or core promise
- The central conflict or question
- A clear sense of genre and tone
Avoid summarising the whole plot.
Plan basic marketing
Publishing is the start, not the finish. Low-cost first steps include:
- Telling your existing network, school or community
- Asking early readers for honest reviews
- Choosing accurate categories and keywords on KDP
- Starting an email list for your next book
Keep writing
The most reliable way to sell more books is to publish another one. Each new title introduces readers to your earlier work.
Treat your first book as a learning project. Every step you take now makes the next launch easier.
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