Guide to Self-Publishing on Amazon KDP

May 26, 2025

Lecture on Self-Publishing with Amazon KDP

Introduction

  • Speaker: Stephen James from Project Life Mastery
  • Topic: Self-publishing books on Amazon using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
  • Objective: Guide through the process of publishing both Kindle and paperback versions of your book

About Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

  • Free service: Allows anyone to publish a book on Amazon
  • Accessibility: Global reach, no need for expertise, traditional publishers, or large inventory
  • Print on Demand: No need to store inventory; Amazon prints and ships the book upon purchase

Steps to Self-Publish on KDP

Sign Up & Account Setup

  • Use an existing Amazon account or create a separate business account
  • Dashboard Overview:
    • Bookshelf: View published books
    • Reports: Sales and royalties data
    • Community and Tools: Explore marketing tools and community

Publishing Process

Kindle eBook

  • Requirements:
    • Book file in doc, docx, epub, or KPF format
    • Flat cover image in JPEG or PNG format
  • Title Selection:
    • Important to be catchy and keyword-optimized
  • Description:
    • Up to 4000 characters
    • Should be engaging, informative, and include a call-to-action (CTA)
  • Rights and Keywords:
    • Determine publishing rights
    • Use up to 7 keywords for Amazon search optimization
  • Categories:
    • Select up to two categories for better visibility and ranking
  • Pre-order Option: Available for creating anticipation

Paperback Version

  • Additional Requirements:
    • ISBN (provided free by KDP)
    • Back cover and spine for the book
  • Print Options:
    • Interior types: Black & white or color
    • Trim size and cover finish: Options for customizing appearance

Marketing and Optimization

  • Keyword and Category Selection:
    • Essential for search optimization and sales
    • Tools available for keyword research
  • Pricing and Royalties:
    • 35% or 70% royalty options
  • KDP Select Enrollment:
    • Exclusivity on Amazon with promotional benefits

Resources for Design and Writing

  • Cover Design:
    • Recommended platforms: Fiverr and 99 Designs
  • Writing and Editing:
    • Fiverr for inexpensive options
    • Upwork for hiring writers, proofreaders, and ghostwriters

Additional Learning and Resources

  • Courses Offered:
    • Mastering Book Marketing
    • Mastering Book Publishing
  • Additional Content:
    • YouTube channel and playlists on Amazon book publishing

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to explore KDP
  • Invitation to subscribe and follow more content on related topics

These notes summarize the key points presented by Stephen James on how to self-publish a book on Amazon using KDP, helpful for authors and publishers looking to leverage Amazon's platform.

Full transcript