Did you know that over 1.4 million self published titles are released on Amazon KDP each year? You must be thinking why Amazon is so popular for self-publishing. Amazon pays out over $300 million in royalties to self publishing authors using KDP annually.
This staggering number highlights the incredible opportunities available on Amazon. In this article, we’ll find out how to self-publish a book on Amazon with tips on boosting your sales.
To help you choose between self publishing on Amazon or professional publishing, we have gathered the pros and cons of each.
Who is the Boss
When you self publish a book on Amazon, you are the boss of your work. While publishing with a traditional publishing house, you are the sidekick, who have to follow their instructions. They will also make changes according to their preferences to your cover art, title, or content.
For example, in the book "Through Stevie's Eyes", you want the cover to depict Stevie, the dog who inspired the story, in an emotionally charged and compelling manner. In traditional publishing, this would have required a back-and-forth procedure with a publisher, but with self-publishing, you are able to collaborate directly with a designer to bring your ideas to reality without delay or compromise.
Do you prefer a long process or a shortcut
One of the reasons why many choose self publishing is its short process of reaching the market.
On the contrary, traditional publishers may take months or even years to publish a book. With self-publishing, once your novel is complete, you could post it to platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and have it available to readers within 24-48 hours.
Which One Retain Higher Royalties
In the case of traditional publishing, you will only receive 7 to 15% of royalties. In contrast, self publishing a book on Amazon allows authors to keep a bigger percentage of the earnings. For example, on Amazon KDP, you can earn 70% royalties on eBook sales on a book that costs between $2.99 and $9.99.
This is much larger than the royalties you would receive from a traditional publisher, where the percentage would likely be much lower due to middleman fees.
Full Ownership and Control of Marketing
Marketing a book can be difficult, and traditional publishers often have a big influence on how a book is sold. They may delegate marketing tasks to their teams, but authors are still required to participate. However, when you self-published, you are in charge of all aspects of book promotion.
Better Fit for Niche or Specialized Genres
Many traditional publishers may be less inclined to take a chance on books in narrow categories because they concentrate on popular genres. If your work is in a niche market or offers a distinct viewpoint, established publishers may be reluctant to publish it.
Like "Through Stevie’s Eyes", which centers on the journey of a blind dog, would probably have been categorized as a niche book. Traditional publishers may refuse to publish it; however, if you are self-publishing on Amazon, you don't need to worry about genre.
How to Start Writing Your Book Draft: A Guide by Expert Writers
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Starting a book draft is the first and the most difficult task. Many authors drop writing books in this step. However, with the right approach, you can start your book’s draft easily. Let's discuss it step by step.
Clearly State Your Concept and Goal
Having a clear idea of the book is crucial before you start writing. Think about it:
- What message do I want to share?
- Who is my target audience?
- What problem does my book solve or what story does it tell?
If you're writing a novel, consider your protagonist's journey and the theme you want to tackle. Getting clear on the "why" behind your book will help guide your writing process.
Develop a Writing Plan
Expert writers sometimes recommend making a plan before beginning the writing process. This plan keeps you organized and motivated throughout the process.
- Define specific, attainable writing goals. For example, try to write 1,000 words per day or set weekly chapter goals.
- Plan to write at specified periods of the day or week. Treat it as an appointment and be consistent.
- Determine a goal word count for each session. Writers like Stephen King suggest writing at least 2,000 words per day to keep on track.
- While some authors prefer to work without a strict blueprint, most professional writers encourage some type of planning.
- Write down the important points or events that must occur in each chapter.
- If you're not sure where to begin, a mind map might help you visualize ideas and relationships.
- This is especially beneficial for nonfiction publications with multiple subtopics or intricate novel plots.
- If you're creating fiction, take the time to establish your characters, their backgrounds, and motives.
Avoid Getting Stuck in the Beginning
Don't worry if the first chapter feels challenging. Skip ahead to another part or chapter and return to it later. Sometimes hopping around helps.
Overcome Writer’s Block
Every writer encounters writer's block at some point. Sometimes taking a break from your work can provide you with the mental space you need to return with new thoughts.
If you're stuck, brainstorm ideas with a friend or fellow writer. Explaining the plot or characters to others can often provide new insights.
Keep Going—Don’t Stop Until You Finish the Draft
Writing a book is not a sprint, but a marathon. You may have days when it feels difficult but persevere by keeping to your writing schedule.
What are the Essential Parts of a Published Book
When you decide to self-publish a book on Amazon, it's critical to grasp the key components that make a book professionally appealing and reader-ready. Each section has a specific purpose, ensuring that the book is exciting, legible, and well-formatted.
Title and Subtitle
The title of your book is the first impression that potential readers will get. It should be straightforward, memorable, and relevant to the subject of your book. Many self-published authors use subtitles to provide further context, particularly for nonfiction books.
Tip for a strong title
- Keep it concise and descriptive.
- Include keywords to assist potential readers find your book.
- Make sure it's original and stands out. Example: Harry Potter and The Secrets of the Chamber.
Book Cover
Your book cover is an important marketing tool. A well-designed cover can draw attention and leave a lasting impression. It's the visual depiction of your book, and because readers judge books by their covers, it's critical to put effort into designing one that stands out.
Consider hiring a professional graphic designer from companies like Ace Book Writers, or make your own using internet tools like Canva or Adobe Spark. A good cover should reflect the genre and tone of the book.
Front Matter
The front matter of your book covers everything before the first chapter. This section is sometimes disregarded, yet it is critical for providing readers with the necessary context and setting the tone.
The Main Body (Chapters)
The essential content—the chapters that tell your tale or share your knowledge—makes up the majority of your book. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, the main body must be well-organized, concise, and compelling.
For fiction books, prioritize character development, story progression, and keeping the reader engaged throughout each chapter. For non-fiction books, make sure each chapter focuses on a certain theme or topic and is easy to understand.
Formatting Tip: If you are self-publishing a book on Amazon, ensure that your chapters are properly formatted for Kindle through Ace Book Writers. They include clear chapter titles, uniform font styles, and proper spacing.
Back Matter
The back matter is everything that follows the primary content and is comprised of:
- Author Bio: A brief paragraph about you, the author, which may include your qualifications, other works you've authored, or a personal anecdote.
- More Resources: If applicable, include connections or references to additional resources, websites, or things that will benefit your readers.
- Appendices: If your book contains charts, graphs, or other statistics, consider including an appendix to help keep the primary text organized.
- Index (Optional): Typically for non-fiction books, an index allows readers to rapidly locate themes inside the book.
- Acknowledgments: If you did not include this in the front matter, it can be added at the end.
How to Publish Books on Amazon
After organizing all the essentials of books, you can start the process of publishing. Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform allows you to simply self-publish a book on Amazon and reach millions of users. Here, we’ll discuss how to do it:
- After writing the book’s draft, you can edit the book.
- Make sure your final copy is edited and proofread.
- You can also hire a professional editor like Ace Book Writers to save time and give your book an expert touch.
- To publish it on Amazon, you have to format it properly for Kindle eBook and print.
- You can use free tools to format eBooks, but in print form, you have to be careful of margins and quality.
- If you do not have an Amazon KDP account, you will need to create one.
- For that, go to the KDP website and sign in with your Amazon account.
- Fill up the required information, including your author name, tax information (for royalty payments), and bank account information for direct deposit of revenues.
- Once you've created your KDP account, you're ready to begin uploading your books!
Amazon provides two primary self-publishing formats: eBook (Kindle) and Paperback. You can choose between publishing one or both, based on your interests.
- Now you can upload your book.
- For eBooks, Amazon accepts Word documents (.doc,.docx), PDFs, HTML files, or.epub files.
- When you upload your manuscript to Amazon's KDP platform, it will be immediately converted into Kindle format.
- For paperbacks, your text should be in PDF format and properly structured for printing.
- You can create your own book cover or utilize Amazon's Cover Creator tool.
- If you're designing your own cover, a high-quality image (minimum 300 DPI) is the proper size for eBook and paperback covers.
- After uploading your book, you'll need to set the price.
Amazon provides two royalties options:
- 35% Royalty Option: for books priced below $2.99 or over $9.99
- 70% Royalty Option: For books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 and sold in certain countries.
- Next, Amazon allows you to distribute your book worldwide. You can select the regions where you want your book to be available.
- Before clicking the "Publish" button, make sure to carefully review your book.
- Preview your eBook on Amazon through the Kindle Previewer tool that allows you to see how your eBook will appear on different Kindle devices.
How to Write and Publish a Book on Amazon by Genre
You must have read guides about how to write a book on Amazon. However, those are general steps. When it comes to writing books by genre, you need to take some extra steps. Let's see them.
How to Write a Children's book and Sell it on Amazon
For children’s books, determine your audience's age range, whether it's picture books for toddlers, early readers, or middle-grade novels.
Use Simple Language with Engaging Storylines
Children's books must be easy to read and fascinating. Focus on clear, simple language and an engaging plot that will keep their attention. For younger readers, images are essential. Children's books rely significantly on illustrations to convey the tale and keep readers interested. Also, books with rhyme, rhythm, and repeating content can be both entertaining and educational for children.
Tips for self publishing on Amazon a Children's Book
For picture books, ensure high-quality photos and Kindle-compatible formatting.
- Kindle Kids' Book Creator can be used to create illustrated eBooks.
- Next, the cover should be vibrant and eye-catching, reflecting the story's fun and informative tone.
- Consider enrolling in KDP Select to increase your visibility in Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program.
- This allows you to reach more parents and educators.
- To attract parents, schools, and libraries, children's books are typically priced lower, ranging from $0.99 to $5.99.
- You can publish your book on Amazon through Ace Book Writers expert services.
How to Write a Book and Sell it on Amazon: Thriller or Mystery Edition
The key to a good thriller or mystery is to create tension. Make sure your plot is engaging, with plenty of twists, turns, and surprise revelations. Readers of thrillers and mysteries enjoy strong, nuanced characters, particularly detectives, criminals, or victims who propel the plot.
Also, Thrillers require a quick pace and an exciting climax. Keep your chapters brief and punchy, with a suspenseful end.
Guide to Self Publishing on Amazon
- Thriller and mystery books demand precise formatting. Maintain the story's pace by ensuring proper chapter breaks and consistent formatting.
- Thriller and mystery covers should convey a sense of danger, intrigue, or suspense.
- Use dark, brooding colors and graphic elements to portray the tension in the plot.
- Enrolling in KDP Select might increase your book's exposure and make it eligible for Kindle Unlimited.
- Set a competitive price for your book. Thrillers normally sell well when priced between $2.99 and $5.99 for eBooks, with paperbacks typically costing more.
Amazon Self Publishing Guide on a Romance Novel
Romance books usually have several POVs, interior monologues, and intense love scenes. Before publishing, ensure that the formatting complements these aspects. Also, romance book covers typically depict a pair or a symbolic object that invokes romantic themes. You can consider employing soothing hues with a professional design.
Romance is one of Amazon's best-selling genres, and enrolling in KDP Select grants you access to additional promotional tools and the Kindle Unlimited service. Romance novels are typically priced in the $2.99 to $6.99 range for eBooks, depending on size and popularity.
Why wait for a publisher when you can self-publish on Amazon today?
Skip the gatekeepers and choose Amazon today for self-publishing your book. By following the step-by-step instructions in this tutorial, you will be able to take control of your publishing career. Amazon KDP's tools and methods make it easier than ever to share your work with readers all over the world. So why wait? Begin your road to becoming a published author today, and let your voice be heard.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you self-publish a book, you automatically own the copyright to your work once it is generated and fixed in a tangible form (such as a written manuscript). This means that there are no additional measures required to maintain copyright.
Yes, traditional publishers can accept self-published novels. It is not rare for self-published authors to catch the attention of major publishers, especially if their books have fared well in the market, attracted a large readership, or received positive feedback.
When you publish a book on Amazon, you get your book copyrights automatically. However, registering it with the Copyright Office affords further legal protection. If you intend to share your book with beta readers, editors, or other professionals before publishing, consider requesting that they sign an NDA to avoid unlawful use of your work.
If you're sharing a digital version of your book with others before it's published, apply a watermark or make the document read-only to prevent unauthorized distribution.
While the process itself is not particularly tough, the most challenging aspects are preparing your book, ensuring it is correctly formatted, producing a good cover, and maintaining marketing efforts after publication. To be successful in self-publishing, you need more than just uploading a file to Amazon.
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