What Is Amazon KDP?
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon's self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish both digital (Kindle) and print-on-demand books. It's one of the most powerful publishing platforms in the world, giving authors direct access to millions of Amazon customers globally.
The platform is free to use — Amazon makes money by taking a percentage of your royalties rather than charging upfront fees.
Getting Started With KDP
Creating Your Account
Setting up a KDP account is straightforward. You'll need a standard Amazon account, bank account information for royalty payments, and tax information (W-9 for US authors, W-8BEN for international authors).
Understanding Royalty Structures
KDP offers two royalty options for Kindle books:
- 35% royalty for books priced below $2.99 or above $9.99
- 70% royalty for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 (in most markets)
For print books, KDP uses print-on-demand technology. Your royalty is the list price minus Amazon's printing costs and their percentage.
Formatting Requirements
This is where many new authors struggle. KDP has specific formatting requirements for both Kindle and print books.
Kindle Formatting
Kindle books are reflowable, meaning readers can adjust font size and the text reflows accordingly. Your manuscript should be formatted without complex page layouts. Use styles rather than manual formatting in Word, or use dedicated software like Vellum or Scrivener.
Print Formatting
Print books require precise formatting with specific margin sizes, bleeds, and page dimensions. The interior layout needs to be a print-ready PDF. This is significantly more complex than Kindle formatting and often requires professional help.
Keywords and Categories
Your book's discoverability on Amazon depends heavily on your keyword selection and category placement. Research relevant keywords using tools like Publisher Rocket or Amazon's own search suggestions. Choose your categories strategically — being a bestseller in a niche category is more achievable and still carries the "bestseller" badge.
Common KDP Mistakes to Avoid
- Publishing before your manuscript is fully edited and formatted
- Choosing a cover that doesn't meet professional standards
- Pricing your book at extremes without testing
- Ignoring your book description — this is your sales pitch
- Not enrolling in KDP Select if you're exclusive to Amazon (you lose 70% royalties on some sales)
Let Aero Publishing Guide You
Navigating KDP successfully requires both technical knowledge and publishing expertise. At Aero Publishing, we handle the entire KDP setup process for our authors — from formatting and cover design to keyword research and category selection. We ensure your book launches on the right foot.
Written By
Aero Publishing Team
Publishing Experts · Aero Publishing
Our team of publishing experts has helped hundreds of authors bring their books to life through professional editing, design, and global distribution.
