Start Publishing With KDP: What You Can Publish and Where
Official Amazon KDP Guidelines: what you can publish and how to start, in plain words. This is what KDP's own help page says, not a blog opinion.
Formats
eBook, paperback, and hardcover, all free to publish
Not Allowed
Magazines, periodicals, calendars, spiral-bound books
KDP Select
Makes your eBook exclusive to Amazon
By Gundi Gabrielle
3 min read
To start publishing with KDP, you set up your KDP account, then self-publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books for free, with full rights to your book. KDP gives you direct access to your book on Amazon and lets you create a product detail page for it.
KDP also gives you "the option to expand your book's availability on a global scale, making it more accessible for readers around the world." And publishing with KDP "gives you full rights to your book, which is not something a traditional publishing house typically allows."
How do I get started?
Finish setting up your KDP account. KDP says: "If you haven't already, make sure to finish setting up your KDP account," and points to its Set up your KDP account page for more help.
What types of content can I publish through KDP?
eBooks (Kindle) and print books (paperback and hardcover). KDP does not allow the creation of magazines, periodicals, calendars, or spiral bound books.
Content types typically published through KDP include, but are not limited to:
- Novels
- Book series
- Children's books
- Comics
- Cookbooks
- Journals
- Poetry
- Textbooks
Can I use KDP for content that's already published elsewhere?
Yes, if you own the rights to your book. You can publish through KDP a book that was published elsewhere before.
- If your book has an existing ISBN from a different publisher, it must have the same title, author name, and binding type on KDP to keep using that ISBN.
- Any change to your book's details makes it a new edition with a new ISBN.
- For more on publishing rights, KDP points to its Intellectual Property Rights Frequently Asked Questions page.
- The only time your book can't be sold on other platforms is if you enroll your eBook in KDP Select, which makes it exclusive to Amazon. KDP has a KDP Select page with more.
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Which publishing requirements and guidelines should I read?
KDP points to four pages:
- Content Guidelines
- Accessibility for eBooks
- Supported eBook Formats
- Publishing Public Domain Content
Which helpful resources does KDP list?
For more specific information about publishing with KDP:
- Create A Book: "Ready to start publishing? Learn more."
- Royalties: learn more about pricing and royalties.
- Set up your KDP Account: learn how to set up your account with KDP.
What this means for you
- Finish setting up your KDP account first.
- You can publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers, but not magazines, periodicals, calendars, or spiral bound books.
- If your book already has an ISBN from another publisher, keep the same title, author name, and binding type to keep using it.
- Only KDP Select makes your eBook exclusive to Amazon.
Related reading
- KDP Content Guidelines
- How to Publish on KDP
- What Is Amazon KDP?
- Amazon KDP Publishing Guidelines: Every Rule in One Place
Start publishing with KDP by finishing your account setup, then choosing eBook, paperback, or hardcover.
Ready to publish? Sign up for KDP and start for free.
Source: KDP Help: Start publishing with KDP — checked October 13, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I publish with KDP?
You can publish eBooks (Kindle) and print books (paperback and hardcover). KDP does not allow magazines, periodicals, calendars, or spiral bound books.
Can I use KDP for a book published elsewhere?
Yes, if you own the rights. If it has an existing ISBN from another publisher, it must have the same title, author name, and binding type on KDP to keep using that ISBN.
Can I sell my KDP book on other platforms?
Yes, unless you enroll your eBook in KDP Select, which makes it exclusive to Amazon.
What do I do before I start publishing with KDP?
Make sure you've finished setting up your KDP account.
Sources & Citations
This page is maintained independently and is not affiliated with Amazon. Always double-check the latest numbers inside your own KDP account before making pricing decisions.
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Created By
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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