The uploading process is streamlined with KDP’s user-friendly interface. The following steps are based on a comprehensive guide from selfpublishing.com, supplemented by official KDP resources.

• Step 1: Convert Your Word File with Kindle Create:
  • Download Kindle Create at https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GUGQ4WDZ92F733GC.
  • Follow prompts to convert your Word file, add features, preview, and save as a .kpf file.
• Step 2: Prepare to Self-Publish on Amazon KDP:
  • Gather: formatted Word/.kpf file, book title/subtitle, cover image (minimum 625x1000 pixels, best 2560x1600, TIFF/JPEG), description (≤4,000 characters), category, up to 7 keywords, and financial info.
  • Use tools like KDSPY at https://selfpublishing.com/kdspy-review/ for optimization.
• Step 3: Start the Steps to Self-Publish on KDP Publishing:
  • Log into KDP at https://kdp.amazon.com/.
  • Click "Kindle eBook" or "Paperback" on the dashboard to begin.
• Step 4: Enter Your Book Details:
  • Fill in language, title, subtitle, series, edition, author/contributor names, description, keywords, categories (use Publisher Rocket at https://publisherrocket.com/?affiliate=selfpublishing), age/grade range, and release option (now or pre-order via Amazon’s pre-order service).
• Step 5: Upload Your Files:
  • Upload your manuscript (Word/.kpf file) and cover image.
  • Use Cover Creator or upload a cover (TIFF/JPEG, minimum 625x1000, best 2560x1600).
  • Preview with Launch Previewer, save, and continue.
• Step 6: Establish Rights and Pricing:
  • Verify territories (recommend Worldwide), set pricing using KDP Pricing Support beta.
  • Consider Kindle Matchbook, Book Lending, and KDP Select at https://selfpublishing.com/what-is-kdp-select/ for higher royalties.
• Step 7: Set Your Book’s Price on Amazon KDP:
  • Check suggested price, set list price, review currency prices, and exclusions.
  • Save and publish, or save as draft. Book goes live in ~12 hours (English) or 48 hours (non-English).
  • Order author copies via Bookshelf > "Order Author Copies" when live.
• Royalties and Payments:
  • eBooks: 35% or 70% royalty, depending on price ($2.99–$9.99 for 70%).
  • Paperbacks: 60% royalty.
  • Payments are made monthly, ~60 days after month-end, once minimum threshold is met.

Additional Helpful Information and Best Practices

To ensure success, consider the following, drawn from KDP resources and third-party guides like publishing.com:

• Marketing Your Book:
  • Use Amazon’s built-in marketing options like price promotions, Kindle Countdown Deals, and Free Book Promotions (if enrolled in KDP Select).
  • Consider pre-orders to build anticipation, counting sales on release day for ranking boosts, as per top Amazon book marketing strategies.
  • Track performance using KDP Reports at https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GVTTXHKHVPAPBEDQ, monitoring units sold, royalties, Amazon ranking, and Kindle Unlimited page reads.
• Quality Control:
  • Ensure top-notch book quality for good reviews and sales, using tools like Kindle Previewer and Print Previewer to catch formatting issues.
  • Follow KDP’s Content Guidelines for AI-generated content disclosure (text, images, translations) and avoid prohibited content like hate speech or pornography.
• Community and Support:
  • Join communities like the KDP Community at https://kdpcommunity.com/ or AI Publishing Academy for support, live Q&A, and 24/7 assistance, starting with video introduction.
  • Consider hiring professionals for formatting or cover design if needed, finding service providers at KDP’s Book Formatting Page.
• Best Practices for Success:
  • Optimize metadata (title, description, keywords, categories) for discoverability, using specific, targeted keywords rather than generic ones, as per best keywords for Kindle publishing.
  • Use professional book covers reflecting content, visually appealing, and meeting technical requirements; consider Canva or custom designs at how to create book cover for Kindle.
  • Write compelling descriptions to hook readers, highlight main points, and include a call to action, as per how to write a description for a book.
  • Test pricing strategies, aiming for 70% royalty range ($2.99–$9.99 for eBooks), using pricing strategies for Kindle book.
  • Keep metadata consistent across formats (e.g., eBook and paperback) and update keywords/descriptions regularly to reflect trends and reader behavior.