Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s self-publishing platform that lets authors publish and sell books directly to readers.

You can publish ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers without working with a traditional publisher. Amazon KDP is free to use, and Amazon prints physical books only after customers order them, so you do not need to buy or store inventory upfront.

You start by preparing your manuscript and cover, then upload the files to KDP. You choose your book’s title, description, keywords, categories, territories, and price before submitting it for publication.

Once approved, Amazon makes the book available through its supported stores, allowing readers to purchase the digital or printed version.

Your income comes from royalties on book sales. KDP currently offers a 35% or 70% royalty option for eligible ebooks. For paperbacks and hardcovers, the standard royalty rate can be 50% or 60%, depending on the book’s price and marketplace, with printing costs deducted from the royalty.

You can also enroll eligible ebooks in KDP Select. This can include your book in Kindle Unlimited, where authors earn from pages read through the KDP Select Global Fund.

KDP gives you control over your books, but publishing a book does not guarantee sales. You still need a useful topic, good writing, an appealing cover, and a clear book description. Finding readers can also require marketing, keyword research, and building a collection of books over time.

If you enjoy writing or can create useful books for a specific audience, KDP can become a long-term source of royalty income. It is especially useful for people who want to sell books without dealing with printing, storage, or shipping themselves.

Recommended Reading: Best Platforms to Sell Digital Products and Start Earning.