Uploading a Book to KDP

The purpose of this document is to provide direction and guidance in creating and uploading paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats to Amazon’s KDP platform.

Creating a Paperback or Hardcover Book

KDP’s book setup makes it easy for you to upload, enter, and modify a book before publishing. The information entered during this setup will be used in creating the book’s Amazon detail page. The detail page is where readers go to buy the book. If you want to sell the book as an eBook, hardcover, and paperback, be sure to create all formats in your KDP account and link them together.

Step 1: Enter book details.

Entering your book details is the first step towards publishing your book. These details directly correlate with what shows up on the Amazon detail page for your book. You have full control over what is displayed.

However, keep in mind that some of these fields can't be modified once your book is published. We recommend paying extra close attention to ensure all of these details are correct. Below are the details that cannot be changed for both eBook and paper formats.

The title, subtitle, author name, series information, and ISBN in your manuscript file must match the details you enter during title setup. Kindle eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books are linked automatically if the author name and book title of both editions match exactly. During the publishing process, KDP tries to match book details like title and author name to other editions available in the Amazon catalog.

For low-content books, you can choose to either use your own ISBN or publish without an ISBN. Learn more about low-content books.

Entering your book details is the first step of the setup workflow. To begin, follow the steps below:

Go to your Bookshelf.
Click the “+ Create” button.
Click to choose which type of book to create.
Select the language that the book will be in.
Enter the book title and subtitle as they appear on the cover, entered into Bowker, and assigned to the ISBN.
If the book is a part of a series, be sure to identify that as necessary.
Enter the author's details (first name, middle name or initial if necessary, last name, and any credentials they’d like added if applicable).
Note any contributors if applicable. Often, this pertains to illustrations, photos, etc.
Enter the book description and format as necessary.
Select the correct publishing rights option. It will almost always be the option that states “I own the copyright and I hold necessary publishing rights.”
Enter the keywords identified into each of the 7 available boxes.
Select the two categories that make the most sense for the book based on category research. We will be requesting that Amazon update the categories for the book once it’s published as well.
Select the low-content or large-print book options if applicable. If not, leave the checkboxes blank.
Select the correct option for adult content. Important to note that Amazon will not allow advertising for books with content they deem inappropriate.
Click ‘save and continue’ if you’re ready to go to the next step or ‘save as draft’ if you still need to collect more information/collateral.

Step 2: Uploading and previewing a book.

The next step in the setup workflow is to upload and preview your book. Here, you can upload your manuscript and preview it to see exactly what your book will look like.

This section of the setup workflow also contains information about your book’s ISBN. You will need a unique ISBN for each format of your book: eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

Entering the content of the paperback or hardcover is the next step in getting the book set up. To begin, follow the steps below:

Select whether you want a free KDP ISBN (note: you will only be able to publish the book on KDP with that option), or click ‘use my own ISBN’ to enter the ISBN details of the book. This should not be changed and must match the information input into Bowker.
Fill out the imprint field (imprint: Self Publishing).
Set the publication date to the current date.
Select the ink and paper type. There are four options: Black & white interior with cream paper, black & white interior with white paper, standard color interior with white paper, or premium color interior with white paper. The selection here will impact the cost to print as well so make sure the correct option is selected.
Select the correct trim size for the book being published.
Determine the bleed settings for the book and select the correct option.
Select the correct cover finish (matte or glossy).
Upload the paperback or hardcover manuscript in PDF form.
Upload the book cover in PDF format and be sure to check the box underneath the upload button if there’s already a barcode on the cover file.
Once everything is uploaded, you will need to preview the files to make sure there are no errors or issues. If there are, KDP will provide details on the errors that will need to be corrected prior to moving forward. If there are no errors, you will click ‘approve’ on the preview screen. To preview the book, click ‘launch previewer.’
Once complete, click ‘save and continue’ to go to the next step or ‘save as draft’ if there are additional details to be collected.

Step 3: Entering pricing for a book.

Now that all of the details have been entered and materials for the book have been uploaded, it’s time to set the pricing for the book and if necessary, order proof copies.

Setting pricing is rather simple. To complete this section of the setup, follow the steps below:

Select the correct territories for which distribution rights are held (this will almost be ‘all territories’).
Select the primary marketplace for the book being uploaded.
Enter the price to be listed on Amazon.com into the box in USD and once entered, click out of the box. The rest of the pricing boxes will be populated at that point.
If you’re ready to publish the book now, click the ‘publish your ‘insert book type here’ now’ button.
To request a proof copy, you can click the ‘request proof’ button.
To save this as a draft to come back to and publish later, click the ‘save as draft’ button.

Creating an eBook

Step 1: Enter book details.

For low-content books, you can choose to either use your own ISBN or publish without an ISBN. Learn more about low-content books.

Entering your book details is the first step of the setup workflow. To begin, follow the steps below:

Go to your Bookshelf.
Click the “+ Create” button.
Click to choose which type of book to create.
Select the language that the book will be in.
Enter the book title and subtitle as they appear on the cover, entered into Bowker, and assigned to the ISBN (note: using an ISBN for a Kindle eBook is optional).
If the book is a part of a series, be sure to identify that as necessary.
Enter the author's details (first name, middle name or initial if necessary, last name, and any credentials they’d like added if applicable).
Note any contributors if applicable. Often, this pertains to illustrations, photos, etc.
Enter the book description and format as necessary.
Select the correct publishing rights option. It will almost always be the option that states “I own the copyright and I hold necessary publishing rights.”
Enter the keywords identified into each of the 7 available boxes.
Select the two categories that make the most sense for the book based on category research. We will be requesting that Amazon update the categories for the book once it’s published as well.
Select the low-content or large-print book options if applicable. If not, leave the checkboxes blank.
Select the correct option for adult content. Important to note that Amazon will not allow advertising for books with content they deem inappropriate.
Enter the age and grade range if applicable here as well.
Click ‘save and continue’ if you’re ready to go to the next step or ‘save as draft’ if you still need to collect more information/collateral.

Step 2: Uploading and previewing Kindly eBook Content.

The next step in the setup workflow is to upload and preview your book. Here, you can upload your manuscript and preview it to see exactly what your book will look like.

To begin, follow the steps below:

Click the ‘upload eBook manuscript’ button to upload the .epub or .kpf file of your manuscript.
Upload your Kindle eBook cover in PDF format.
Once everything is uploaded, you will need to preview the files to make sure there are no errors or issues. If there are, KDP will provide details on the errors that will need to be corrected prior to moving forward. If there are no errors, you will click ‘approve’ on the preview screen. To preview the book, click ‘launch previewer.’
Enter the ISBN details.
Fill out the imprint field (imprint: Self Publishing).
Click save and continue.

Step 3: Entering pricing for an eBook.

Now that all of the details have been entered and materials for the book have been uploaded, it’s time to set the pricing for the book and if necessary, order proof copies.

Setting pricing is rather simple. To complete this section of the setup, follow the steps below:

Check the box to enroll the eBook in Kindle Select.
For launch, the eBook royalty will need to be 35% as it will be priced at $0.99. To fit into the 70% royalty, the eBook must be priced at $2.99 or above.
Select the correct territories for which distribution rights are held (this will almost be ‘all territories’).
Select the primary marketplace for the book being uploaded.
Enter the price to be listed on Amazon.com into the box in USD and once entered, click out of the box. The rest of the pricing boxes will be populated at that point.
If you’re ready to publish the book now, click the ‘publish your ‘insert book type here’ now’ button.
To request a proof copy, you can click the ‘request proof’ button.
To save this as a draft to come back to and publish later, click the ‘save as draft’ button.