Self-Publish With KDP: The 3 Simple Steps

Official Amazon KDP Guidelines: the three steps to self-publish with KDP, in plain words. This is what KDP's own help page says, not a blog opinion.

By Gundi Gabrielle

4 min read

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To self-publish with KDP, you follow three simple steps: prepare your manuscript and cover files, publish in print and digital formats, and promote your book to readers. KDP says it's "simple to publish and sell your book around the world on Amazon." Its page is titled "Publish with us."

Step 1: How do I prepare my manuscript and cover files?

Format your manuscript file and create your front, body, and back matter. That means things like your title page, table of contents, and author bio. Kindle Create can help you format your books.

For your cover, use KDP's free Cover Creator tool, download a template, or create your own cover file. KDP also has guides to preparing your manuscript for eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

Step 2: How do I publish in print and digital formats?

• ✦Enter book details such as the title and the author.
• ✦Upload and preview your prepared manuscript and book cover.
• ✦Select your publishing rights and list price.

KDP says: "We'll make your eBook available in Kindle Stores, and we'll print and ship your paperback and hardcovers on demand to customers around the world." KDP also has a page to learn more about book formats.

Step 3: How do I promote my book to readers?

Use KDP's free marketing tools to help readers find your book:

• ✦KDP Select: offer your eBook on Kindle Unlimited by enrolling in KDP Select.
• ✦Author page: create an author page to share information about yourself and your books.
• ✦Amazon Advertising: set up customized ads to reach more readers (subject to availability per country).
• ✦A+ Content: enhance your book detail page with custom images, text, and tables.
• ✦Expanded Distribution: make your paperback available to bookstores, libraries, and other retailers (US and UK only).

KDP also has a page to learn more about promoting your book.

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What do KDP authors say?

KDP shares quotes from three authors in different countries, each with a link to their author page.

• ✦A romance author in Italy says KDP let her live her childhood dream of making a living as a writer, with a direct connection to thousands of readers.
• ✦A romance author in India says KDP is why she writes and publishes at the speed she does, and she loves being her own boss.
• ✦A fantasy author in Germany says that over 10 years later she can't imagine who she'd be without KDP, and urges authors to take unexpected opportunities.

What is Kindle Create?

A free formatting tool. KDP says: "Turn your manuscript into a beautiful book. Whether you're writing a comic book, cookbook, travel guide, or novel, our free formatting tool will help you prepare your manuscript."

What other free KDP tools are there?

"More free KDP tools to help publish your book":

• ✦Kindle Previewer: see how your eBook will look before you publish it.
• ✦Kindle Kids' Book Creator: turn your illustrated children's books into great-looking eBooks.
• ✦KDP Community: join the conversation with new and accomplished KDP authors and publishers.
• ✦Kindle Comic Creator: convert your comics, graphic novels, and manga into eBooks.

How do I join the community of authors?

Have a question about your account or how to market your book? Ask for help from fellow publishers or lend a hand to someone new, and connect with experts and fellow authors in the KDP Community.

What else does the page link to?

• ✦KDP Select: "Earn more money and reach new readers"
• ✦KDP Community: "Connect with experts and fellow authors"
• ✦CreateSpace: "Link your existing account to KDP"
• ✦Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX): "Indie audiobook publishing made easy"

What this means for you

• ✦Follow the three steps: prepare your files, publish, then promote, all from your KDP account.
• ✦Use KDP's free tools: Kindle Create for formatting, Cover Creator for your cover, and Kindle Previewer to check your eBook.
• ✦Expanded Distribution for paperbacks is only available in the US and UK.
• ✦Enroll in KDP Select if you want your eBook on Kindle Unlimited.

Related reading

• Start Publishing With KDP
• What Is Amazon KDP?
• How to Publish on KDP
• Amazon KDP Publishing Guidelines: Every Rule in One Place

To self-publish with KDP, prepare your files, publish in the formats you want, and promote with the free tools.

Ready to publish? Sign up for KDP and start for free.

Source: KDP: Self Publishing — checked October 13, 2026.

Created By

Gundi Gabrielle

Top 100 Business Author · Carnegie Hall Conductor · Founder of Golden Bestseller Empire

Hey, I'm Gundi, and for over a decade, I've helped thousands of everyday people turn what they know into a bestselling book.

Along the way, I sold over 350,000 books, and was listed in Amazon's Top 100 Business Author Charts, ahead of authors like Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Tim Ferriss, Robert Kiyosaki, or Brian Tracy.

No traditional publisher. No massive budget. Just understanding Amazon's algorithm and researching what readers actually want.

In my earlier years, I was a classical conductor & organist, touring the world, incl. Carnegie Hall & a performance for the Pope on St. Peter's Square.

These days, I love traveling as a Digital Nomad and orchestrating busy AI Agents 😎. Out of that came Golden Bestseller Empire — a complete AI-Powered Book Publishing Studio now helping authors around the world.

Can't wait to see you inside & help you publish your dream:

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