Self-Publishing: How to Self-Publish on Amazon – A Checklist for 2024

Self-Publishing Checklist – Publishing on Amazon in 2024

Self-Publishing: Recently I set up an account to Publish with Amazon.

As this is a popular and straightforward option for authors, I thought I would take a look and see if it’s an easy thing to do.

I was warned by my writing group members to check whether you retain all rights to your work. I am yet to get a conclusive answer to that question.

Here are the steps I recorded to self-publishing a book on Amazon. I did this through their Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform:

 

1. Create an Amazon Account:

• Sign up at www.amazon.com.

2. Prepare Manuscript:

 

• Format manuscript according to Amazon’s guidelines on their KDP website.
•  Ensure manuscript is edited and proofread.

 

3. Create Book Cover:

• Design a book cover that is eye-catching and represents the essence of the book.

   

• Amazon has specific cover size and quality requirements, so make sure cover meets those standards.

 

4. Sign into Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP):

 Go to https://kdp.amazon.com and sign in using your Amazon account credentials.

5. Add New Title:

•  Click on “Create a new Kindle eBook.

   

•  Enter the book details, such as title, author name, description, and keywords.

 

6. Upload Your Manuscript and Cover:

•  Upload formatted manuscript in .doc, .docx, .txt, .mobi, or .epub format.

   

•  Upload book cover according to Amazon’s specifications.

 

7.  Set Your Book Pricing and Royalty Options:

•  Choose the territories where you want your book to be available for sale.

   

•  Decide on the pricing of your book and the royalty option (e.g 35% or 70% royalty). Be aware that conditions apply for the 70% royalty rate, such as pricing restrictions and delivery fees.

 

8. Enroll in KDP Select (Optional):

• KDP Select is an optional program that allows your eBook to be available exclusively on Kindle for 90 days. In return, you can take advantage of promotional tools and reach a wider audience.

   

• Decide whether you want to enroll your book in KDP Select or make it available on other platforms too.

 

9. Choose Kindle eBook Categories and Keywords:

• Select the appropriate categories for your book. This helps your readers discover your book easily.

   

• Enter the keywords that readers may think relevant to search for a book like yours.

 

10. Review Your Book Details:

• Double-check all the information you entered to ensure accuracy.

   

• Preview your eBook to see how it will look on different Kindle devices.

 

11. Publish Your e-Book:

• Click the “Publish Your Kindle eBook” button to make your book available on Amazon.

   

• It usually takes a few hours to a day for your book to become live on the Amazon store.

 

12. Promote Your Book:

• After publishing, use social media, book promotion sites, author websites, and other marketing strategies to promote your book and reach potential readers.

 

BONUS: After publishing you can still update your book, it’s cover, and book details at any time. Yes, this is even after your book is finalized. 

Once done, watch your book’s performance and engage with readers to enhance your author journey. 

 

Best of luck with your self-publishing journey!

 

PS: This Checklist is not perfect as site changes can happen but can be used as a general rough guide

 

 

 

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