How to Upload Your Book to Amazon KDP
Complete step-by-step guide to uploading your formatted book to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is the most popular self-publishing platform. This guide will walk you through uploading both your ebook and print book files, setting up your metadata, and getting your book live on Amazon.
1Before You Start
Make sure you have everything ready before beginning the upload process.
💡 Pro Tips
- Your formatted interior files (PDF for print, ePub for ebook)
- Your book cover files (separate front cover for ebook, full wrap for print)
- Book description written and formatted
- Keywords researched (7 keyword phrases)
- Categories selected (2 main categories)
- Author bio and photo
- ISBN (optional for ebook, optional for print if using KDP's free ISBN)
2Creating Your KDP Account
First-time setup for Amazon KDP.
Go to kdp.amazon.com
Navigate to the KDP website and click "Sign up"
Use Your Amazon Account
Sign in with your existing Amazon account or create a new one
Complete Your Profile
Fill in your author name, country, and contact information
Set Up Tax Information
Complete the tax interview (required before you can publish)
Add Payment Method
Enter your bank details for royalty payments
⚠️ Important
- Tax information must be completed before you can publish
- Use your legal name for tax purposes, even if you publish under a pen name
3Creating a New Kindle Ebook
Step-by-step process for uploading your ebook.
Click "Create New Title"
From your KDP dashboard, select "+ Kindle eBook"
Enter Book Details
Fill in title, subtitle, author name, and description
Add Keywords
Enter 7 keyword phrases that readers might search for
Select Categories
Choose 2 categories that best fit your book
Upload Cover
Upload your ebook cover (JPG, at least 1600x2560 pixels recommended)
Upload Manuscript
Upload your ePub file (or Word doc if you don't have ePub)
Preview Your Book
Use the online previewer to check how your book looks
Set Pricing
Choose your price and royalty option (35% or 70%)
Publish
Click "Publish Your Kindle eBook" - it will be live within 72 hours
💡 Pro Tips
- Use the 70% royalty option for books priced $2.99-$9.99
- Preview on multiple devices using the online previewer
- Your book description can include HTML formatting for bold and italics
4Creating a Paperback Book
Step-by-step process for uploading your print book.
Click "Create New Title"
From your KDP dashboard, select "+ Paperback"
Link to Ebook (Optional)
If you already created the ebook, you can link them to share metadata
Enter Book Details
Fill in the same information as the ebook (or it auto-fills if linked)
Choose ISBN Option
Use KDP's free ISBN or enter your own
Select Trim Size
Choose your book size (e.g., 6x9", 5.5x8.5")
Choose Paper Type
Select white or cream paper (cream is more expensive but looks premium)
Upload Interior
Upload your print-ready PDF interior file
Upload Cover
Upload your full cover wrap PDF (includes front, spine, and back)
Preview Your Book
Use the 3D previewer and download the PDF proof
Set Pricing
KDP shows minimum price based on page count - set your retail price
Order Proof (Recommended)
Order a physical proof copy to review before approving
Approve and Publish
Once satisfied, approve your proof and publish
⚠️ Important
- Always order a physical proof before approving - screens don't show everything
- Check the spine width calculator to ensure your cover file is the right size
- Bleed settings must be correct or your cover/interior may be rejected
5IMPORTANT: Selecting Bleed Settings Correctly
This is the #1 reason KDP rejects files! Most authors miss this step and have to resubmit. Here's exactly what to do:
Find the "Bleed Settings" Section
After uploading your interior PDF, scroll down to find "Bleed Settings"
Check Your File Name
Look at your PDF filename - if it says "with Bleed" or "Bleed", select "Bleed". If it says "without Bleed" or "No Bleed", select "No Bleed"
When to Select "Bleed (PDF only)"
Choose this if your book has images, colors, or design elements that extend to the edge of the page. We provide a "with Bleed" file for this.
When to Select "No Bleed"
Choose this if your book is text-only with no elements extending to page edges. We provide a "without Bleed" file for this.
Verify in the Preview
The preview on the right will show how your selected option looks - make sure it looks correct!
💡 Pro Tips
- We provide BOTH versions (with bleed and without bleed) in your delivery
- Use the "with Bleed" file if your book has any images or design elements
- Use the "without Bleed" file for text-only books
- The preview window shows you exactly how it will look - use it!
- If you get an error about bleed, try the other bleed option
⚠️ Important
- CRITICAL: Selecting the wrong bleed option is the #1 reason for KDP rejection
- If KDP rejects your file, check the bleed setting first
- Match the bleed setting to the file we provided (check the filename)
- When in doubt, contact us at info@hmdpublishing.com - we'll tell you which setting to use
6Understanding Your Print Options
KDP gives you several choices for your print book. Here's what each option means:
Ink and Paper Type
Black & white interior with white paper (most common and cheapest) OR Black & white with cream paper (premium look) OR Standard color OR Premium color
Trim Size
Select the exact dimensions we formatted your book for (check your order confirmation or ask us)
Paperback Cover Finish
Matte (no gloss, professional look) OR Glossy (shiny, eye-catching)
💡 Pro Tips
- Most fiction books use: Black & white interior, white or cream paper, matte finish
- Most non-fiction books use: Black & white interior, white paper, matte finish
- Color interiors significantly increase printing costs
- Cream paper costs slightly more but looks more premium
- Matte finish is more popular and hides fingerprints better
7Using the KDP Previewer
How to check your book before publishing.
Launch Previewer
After uploading files, click "Preview" or "Launch Previewer"
Check Multiple Devices
Use the device dropdown to see how your book looks on Kindle, tablet, and phone
Test Table of Contents
Click TOC links to ensure they work correctly
Check Images
Verify all images display clearly and are properly sized
Download PDF Proof
For print books, download and review the PDF proof carefully
💡 Pro Tips
- The previewer shows exactly how readers will see your book
- Check the first and last pages carefully - these are most likely to have issues
- For print, zoom in on the PDF to check text clarity near the gutter (spine)
8Common Upload Errors and Fixes
Solutions to the most common KDP upload problems.
"File is Corrupted" Error
Re-export your file and ensure it's a valid PDF or ePub. Try opening it on your computer first.
"Cover Doesn't Meet Requirements"
Check dimensions - ebook covers need to be at least 1600px on shortest side. Print covers must match spine width exactly.
"Interior Has Quality Issues"
Usually means low-resolution images. Images should be at least 300 DPI for print.
"Page Count Mismatch"
Your cover spine width doesn't match your interior page count. Recalculate spine width.
"Content Violates Guidelines"
Review KDP content guidelines. Common issues: excessive keywords in description, prohibited content.
9After Publishing
What happens next and what to do.
Wait for Review
Ebooks: usually live within 24-72 hours. Print: 24-72 hours after proof approval.
Check Your Book Page
Once live, search for your book on Amazon to see your listing
Verify "Look Inside"
Amazon's "Look Inside" feature may take a few extra days to activate
Order Author Copies
You can order print copies at cost (no royalty) for yourself
Set Up Author Central
Claim your author page on Amazon Author Central to add bio and photo
💡 Pro Tips
- You can update your book anytime - changes go live within 72 hours
- Track your sales in the KDP dashboard (updates daily)
- Royalties are paid 60 days after the end of the month of sale
Uploading to KDP is straightforward once you know the steps. Take your time with each section, use the previewer thoroughly, and don't hesitate to order a proof copy for print books. Once your book is live, you can always make updates if needed. Congratulations on publishing your book!
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