Self-Publishing on Amazon: A Beginner’s Guide (2025 Edition)
If you’ve finished your first novel (congratulations!) or are planning ahead, you might be wondering: How do I actually publish my book on Amazon?
I’m Brandon Rohrbaugh, author and self-publishing coach. I’ve published books for myself and helped dozens of writers go from manuscript to marketplace. With today’s tools, anyone can self-publish and find their readers—all you need is a simple roadmap.
This guide will show you exactly how to self-publish on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform, even if you’ve never done it before. Ready? Let’s turn your draft into a published book!
Table of Contents
What is Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)?
Step 1: Prepare Your Manuscript
Step 2: Format Your Book for Kindle
Step 3: Design a Great Cover
Step 4: Set Up Your KDP Account
Step 5: Upload Your Book to KDP
Step 6: Choose Pricing and Royalties
Step 7: Launch and Market Your Book
Pro Tips for Self-Publishing Success
Related Resources
Conclusion & Call to Action
What is Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)?
Amazon KDP is a free, easy-to-use self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish eBooks and paperbacks and sell them to millions of readers worldwide. There’s no upfront cost, and you keep control over your rights, pricing, and distribution.
Step 1: Prepare Your Manuscript
Before you upload, make sure your book is finished, edited, and proofread.
Use professional editing tools (like Grammarly or ProWritingAid).
Format your document in Microsoft Word or Google Docs—keep things simple (11- or 12-point font, double-spaced, page breaks between chapters).
Save your final manuscript as a .doc, .docx, or PDF.
Pro Tip: Print out your book or read it aloud to catch last-minute typos.
Step 2: Format Your Book for Kindle
Formatting ensures your book looks professional on every device.
Use Kindle Create (free from Amazon) to convert your document into Kindle-ready format (.kpf).
Add a clickable table of contents.
Start each chapter on a new page.
Avoid fancy fonts or images that may not display well.
Want a step-by-step formatting checklist? Download my free Self-Publishing Toolkit!
Step 3: Design a Great Cover
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood: https://www.pexels.com/photo/four-assorted-title-books-3248644/
Your cover is the first thing readers see—make it count!
Use Amazon’s free Cover Creator, or design with Canva, BookBrush, or hire a pro on Fiverr.
For eBooks: Ideal size is 1600x2560 pixels (JPG or TIFF).
For print: Use KDP’s cover template for your book’s page count.
Cover tips: Bold fonts, clear images, and genre-appropriate style always win.
Check out my guide to DIY Cover Design for inspiration.
Step 4: Set Up Your KDP Account
Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account (or create one).
Add your author/publisher information.
Enter your tax and payment details.
Review KDP’s terms of service.
This only takes a few minutes—then you’re ready to publish!
Step 5: Upload Your Book to KDP
Click “Create a new Kindle eBook” or “Create Paperback.”
Enter your book title, subtitle, author name, and description (write a blurb that sells!).
Add keywords and categories—think about what your readers will search for.
Upload your manuscript and cover files.
Preview your book using KDP’s online tool.
Step 6: Choose Pricing and Royalties
Set your eBook price (most first-time authors start between $2.99–$4.99).
Select your royalty rate (70% for most books priced $2.99–$9.99, otherwise 35%).
Decide if you want to enroll in KDP Select (gives you access to Kindle Unlimited and extra marketing tools).
Pro Tip: Start with eBook only, then add paperback after you’ve worked out any kinks.
Step 7: Launch and Market Your Book
Announce your book launch to your email list, social media, and website.
Consider a discounted or free launch promo to get early reviews.
Use Amazon Author Central to set up your author page and add editorial reviews.
Reach out to book bloggers, run giveaways, and ask friends to help spread the word.
Need a marketing roadmap? Check out my Book Launch Checklist!
Photo by Markus Winkler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/scrabble-tiles-spelling-author-on-wooden-surface-30945617/
Pro Tips for Self-Publishing Success
Get honest feedback before you publish—beta readers are gold.
Focus on your book description and keywords—this helps readers find your book.
Don’t stress about being perfect. You can always update your manuscript or cover later!
Keep writing. One book is just the beginning—most self-published authors see results with a series or multiple titles.
Related Resources
Conclusion & Call to Action
Self-publishing on Amazon KDP is easier than ever—and you don’t need a huge budget or a tech background to get started. With a little patience, attention to detail, and the right support, you can share your story with the world.
Are you planning to self-publish your novel? Drop your questions or launch date in the comments—I’d love to cheer you on!
Ready for more support? [Download my free toolkit] or [join the First Novel Challenge] for step-by-step guidance and a writer-friendly community.
Happy publishing!
Brandon Rohrbaugh | Author, Writer, and Indie Publishing Advocate
