Do you have a book in the works but don’t know where to start? Amazon Self Publishing Print on Demand is an easy and affordable way for authors to self-publish their work.
Take the example of Jane, an aspiring author with a novel she’s been working on for years. With Amazon’s KDP platform, Jane was able to customize her book cover, format it correctly, and set her own pricing.
In no time at all, her book was available on the site and ready for purchase—all without having to go through a traditional publisher.
Key Takeaways
- There are four book release options based on age categories: 0-4, 5-7, 8-12, or 13+.
- Authors can choose between pre-order and post-order options for customer purchases.
- DRM rights can be set up to protect against content theft and unauthorized access.
- When uploading a book, authors should ensure the file format is compatible and check for errors or typos before publishing.
Overview of amazon self publishing print on demand
You can use Amazon self-publishing print-on-demand to make your book available to readers worldwide. This service allows you to easily create a professional quality finished product for distribution via the Amazon platform.
You can design your own book cover with an online stencil, or upload an existing one. As an Amazon seller, you can even sell print on demand books through your own store.
With this business model, there are no upfront costs and no inventory required; instead, books are printed only when purchased by customers on the platform.
Amazon self publishing print on demand is a great way to quickly get your book out into the world!
Benefits of Amazon Print on Demand
- By utilizing Amazon’s Print on Demand, you can reap the benefits of quick turnaround times and cost savings. From hardcover book covers to Kindle ebooks, Memullen prints your product fast and efficiently with minimal overhead costs.
- With Amazon’s print-on-demand journals, you can benefit from a low upfront cost while still getting a high-quality product.
- And when it comes to printing on demand with Amazon, there is no better option than their reliable service.
How Long Does it Take to Publish a Book on Amazon
It typically takes about 48 hours for your book to be available on Amazon after you submit it. Getting the details right is key, as Chris Memullen explains in his blog post about selling print on demand books on Amazon.
From filing the correct tax forms to formatting your book correctly for POD (print-on-demand) distribution, every step must be followed precisely. As long as everything is completed properly, you can expect your book to go live within two days of submission.
How to Publish a Book on Amazon KDP (Amazon Self-Publishing)
- The world of digital publishing has seen remarkable growth, and central to this is Amazon’s platform, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), which provides an avenue for self-publishing.
- Through this medium, independent writers, by utilizing KDP’s design tools, can create both e-books and print versions of their work.
- The beauty of this system lies in its flexibility, where Amazon’s Print-on-Demand service ensures high-quality production without the need for large initial print runs.
- Additionally, as a testament to its global reach, KDP’s distribution options open up opportunities for authors to access global marketplaces, making their works available to readers worldwide.
- Lastly, for those keen on maximizing their earnings, KDP’s royalty system outlines the financial benefits for every sale made.
Step 1. Create an Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Account
To begin leveraging Amazon for your print on demand publishing needs on Amazon Kindle Print On Demand (KDP), you’ll need to create an account. Setting up your KDP account is easy!
All you need to do is:
- Visit kdp.amazon.com
- Click the ‘Sign Up’ button
- Fill in the required information
- Agree to the terms and conditions
- Verify your new KDP account via email or phone number
And that’s it, you’re ready to start publishing!
Step 2. Add a new Kindle ebook (a “new title”)
Now that you’ve created a KDP account, it’s time to start publishing your Kindle ebooks.
- To add a new title, select “Kindle eBook Actions” and click on the blue “Create New Title” button. This will open up a 3-column and 5-row table with the following fields: Title, Author Name, Language, Rights & Pricing Options, File Upload.
- Fill in each field by providing relevant details of your book before uploading the file to complete the process.
Step 3. Set Your Primary Language
You’ll need to select your primary language before you can complete the publishing process. It’s important to make sure that all of your content is written in a language you’re comfortable with and one that readers will understand.
- You can choose from a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and more.
- Once you have picked your language, any text or images associated with it must all be in the same language as well.
Make sure you double-check your work for accuracy before submitting it!
Step 4. Enter your book title and subtitle
Entering your book title and subtitle is the next step in the self-publishing process. It’s important to ensure accuracy here, as this will be used across Amazon for customers searching for your book.
Think about keywords related to your topic that you may want to include in either the title or subtitle. Be sure to double check spelling and grammar before submitting, as these can’t be changed after publishing.
Keep it brief but memorable – make sure readers know what they’ll find inside!
Step 5. Enter the Author name
Next, you’ll need to enter the author’s name exactly as it appears on the copyright page. Make sure to double check spelling and use of capitalization, as this can’t be changed after publishing.
To ensure accuracy:
- Locate the copyright page in your book file.
- Read carefully and note any punctuation or capitalization rules for authors’ names.
- Enter the name exactly as it appears on the copyright page in Amazon KDP Self-Publishing Print On Demand form fields.
Step 6. Enter your book description
You must now write a book description to get your readers interested in your work.
- Describing the plot, characters, and themes of your book is essential. Make sure you give enough detail to draw people in, but not too much that they can predict the entire story.
- Focus on crafting an engaging description with compelling language that will make readers want to pick up your book.
- Avoid typos or grammar errors at all costs – this is one of the first impressions readers have of you and your work!
Step 7. Verify your publishing rights
Now that my book description is complete, I’m ready to verify my publishing rights. This is a crucial step in self-publishing on Amazon. It ensures that the content I’m publishing doesn’t infringe upon anyone else’s copyrights or trademarks.
In order to do this, I need to make sure all of the text and media in my book are either mine or used with permission. Once I’ve done this, I can confirm that right on the page before submitting my book.
Step 8. Choose your keywords
Choosing the right keywords for your book is an important step in getting it seen by potential readers.
| Keywords | Relevance | Popularity |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Writing, Fiction, Fantasy | High relevance to book’s topic and genre. | Used often by others searching for similar books. |
Selecting keywords that are both relevant and popular will help your book appear on more searches.
Step 9. Choose two categories for your book
Selecting two categories for your book is an important step in getting it seen by potential readers. It will help Amazon’s search engine to sort books accurately and give customers the best selection possible.
Additionally, selecting two categories helps improve visibility and discoverability for each book.
- Choose a primary and a secondary category that best describe your book’s content.
- Check the list of available categories and make sure they are relevant to your genre.
- Make sure you only select two categories.
- Don’t choose a category if it doesn’t accurately reflect what’s inside your book.
- Ensure both chosen categories are consistent with other elements of your book.
Step 10. Choose the right age range (if this applies)
If applicable, it’s important to pick the right age range for your book. This information is used by retailers and libraries to determine if a book should be placed in a certain section or not. The age range you choose should reflect the content of your book and its intended audience.
- To ensure accuracy, consider factors such as reading level, language complexity, themes, and other aspects that might impact how a reader would perceive the material.
- When selecting an age range for your book on Amazon’s KDP platform, you can pick from four options: 0-4; 5-7; 8-12; or 13+.
Make sure to choose wisely!
Step 11. Choose your book release option
Deciding how to make your book available is an important step in self-publishing. Amazon offers two options for releasing your book: pre-order or post-order.
Pre-order allows customers to order the book before its release date, while post-order allows customers to purchase the book after it releases. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to weigh them carefully when making your decision.
When creating a pre-order, you’ll need to enter a release date which will be visible on the product page. This helps build anticipation for your upcoming title!
Step 12. Select DRM rights
You need to choose whether you want Digital Rights Management (DRM) rights for your book or not. DRM allows you to control how customers can view, copy, and print your book. It prevents unauthorized access to the digital version of your book.
- Setting up DRM ensures that no one can steal or copy content from your book.
- It also helps ensure that readers cannot download it in an unauthorized format.
- You’ll be able to set limits on how many devices people can use for reading the book.
- DRM will protect against illegal file sharing of your work online.
- You’ll be creating a secure environment for customers who purchase and read your self-published books.
Step 13. Upload your book
Now, upload your book to KDP.
- Navigate to the “Upload” page and select the file you want to upload.
- Make sure it’s in a format compatible with KDP and meets all formatting requirements.
- Once it’s uploaded, review your book for any typos or errors before continuing.
- You can also preview the interior of your book before publishing.
- When you’re satisfied with its content, click “Next” to continue.
Step 14. Upload your book cover
Upload your book cover to KDP and make sure it meets all the requirements. Your cover is an important part of your book, so take the time to make sure you create something eye-catching and professional.
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| File Type | JPEG or TIFF |
| Resolution | 300 dpi minimum |
| Dimensions | At least 1000 x 1600 pixels |
| Color Space | RGB |
Step 15. Preview your book
- Once you’ve uploaded your book cover, it’s time to preview your book.
- You can check the overall look of the cover, make sure there are no typos or other mistakes, and ensure your content looks as intended.
- Use the zoom bar to see how it appears in print quality and make any necessary adjustments.
When everything looks perfect, you’re ready for self-publishing success!
Step 16. ISBN and Publisher
Now that you’ve previewed your book, it’s time to add an ISBN and publisher.
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique numeric identifier for each edition of a book. It can be purchased through a variety of sources.
- You will then need to choose a publisher name that will appear on the copyright page of your book. This is usually the author’s name but could also be a company, organization, or pen-name.
- Finally, you must enter all this information into the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) system before your book can be published.
Step 17. Skip KDP Select for now (You can add it later)
- You don’t have to enroll in KDP Select right away; you can always add it later. This will give you the ability to continue to publish your book without any restrictions, and make it available for purchase through other outlets such as Amazon’s Kindle Store, Apple Books, and other retailers.
- You won’t need to worry about meeting specific requirements for sales or exclusivity when using Print On Demand either. Once you’re ready, you can easily add KDP Select at any time during the publishing process.
With this option, you’ll be able to take advantage of features such as Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL).
Step 18. Choose your territories
Next, select the countries you’d like to make your book available in. Amazon offers three options:
- Worldwide Rights, which allows readers from any country to purchase your book;
- Territories Rights, which lets you choose specific countries;
- US/Canada Rights, which restricts sales of your book only to those two countries.
Listing in all three can ensure that you reach as many potential readers as possible. For more control over where your books are sold, choose Territories Rights and list the individual countries of interest. Here are three examples:
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- India.
Step 19. Choose your royalty and pricing
Choose the royalty and pricing option that best suits your book and its potential readers. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offers several options when it comes to setting your royalty rate, ranging from 35% to 70%.
You can also set a price for your book in individual countries, allowing you to maximize exposure and make sure that readers get easy access at an affordable cost.
Consider carefully what works best based on the type of book you have written, as well as the demands of the market.
Step 20. Add the book to matchbook and book lending
Opt in to Matchbook and Book Lending to make your book more accessible to readers. This feature allows customers who buy a Kindle version of the book from Amazon to get the corresponding paperback version at a discounted price.
Customers can also borrow Kindle books from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library if they are Amazon Prime members.
To enable this, you will need to opt in when setting up pricing for your book on KDP. Doing so will ensure that all eligible customers can take advantage of these programs without any extra effort on your part.
Step 21. Save to draft until you’re ready
You can save your book to draft until you’re ready to publish. This will allow the author time to review and update the content when necessary. To save to a draft, select Save as Draft in the ‘Actions’ menu on the upper right corner of your screen.
- Ensure book meets Amazon’s guidelines for publication standards and quality assurance checklists are complete
- Confirm all information is accurate on the Book Details page before saving as draft & publishing your book (author bio, title, etc.)
Step 22. Self-publishing your print book (formerly CreateSpace)
Once you have saved your book as a draft, it’s time to self-publish your print book, previously known as CreateSpace.
Amazon offers a platform for authors to easily get their books printed and distributed worldwide. Once you’ve set up an account and added all the necessary information about your book, you can choose which type of printing process you’d like to use from three different options.
After setting up the quality control process, pricing details, and other preferences, simply hit publish and wait for your orders to start rolling in!
Maximizing Your Profits with Amazon Self-Publishing
Making money with Amazon self-publishing requires understanding the basics of print on demand. To maximize profits, you need to price your book competitively, create a compelling cover, and promote it through Amazon’s marketing services.
You can also use third-party vendors for additional distribution channels. Utilizing these strategies will help make sure your book reaches its target audience.
Understanding key concepts like royalties, formatting, and ISBNs is essential for successful self-publishing on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
To conclude, Amazon Self-Publishing Print on Demand is a great way for authors to get their work out into the world. With this service, you can easily create and format your book, set your own prices, and have complete control of the production process – all without having to go through a traditional publisher.
It’s like taking the reins of your destiny and riding off into the sunset with your masterpiece in tow; it’s empowering!
So if you’re an author with a dream of seeing their work in print, Amazon Self-Publishing Print on Demand is definitely worth exploring.
If you have any questions or would like to read more about benefits of using Amazon for print on demand, or how to know ways for running a print on demand business, Kindly drop them at wlo-usa.org to get help. We’re happy to accompany all of you anytime you need.
