How to Self-Publish Your First Book on Amazon KDP and Start Making Money (Beginner Guide 2026)
How to Self-Publish Your First Book on Amazon KDP and Get It Live Amazon KDP lets first-time authors publish an ebook and paperback without a traditional publisher. The process is manageable when you handle it in order: prepare your files, complete the book listing, upload each edition, set pricing, submit for review, and plan your marketing. New authors often worry about bad formatting, confusing upload fields, missing payment details, and unclear royalty rates. This guide takes you from a finished manuscript to a live Amazon listing, including AI disclosures, KDP Select, paperback setup, sales reports, and post-launch promotion. Prepare Your Amazon KDP Account and Publishing Files Good preparation prevents many delays. Before opening the KDP dashboard, finish your manuscript, cover, and payment setup. Finish the Manuscript, Cover, and File Formats Proofread your manuscript and format it for the edition you plan to publish. An ebook may use an EPUB file or a supported Word docum...