In the past, publishing a book meant finding a literary agent, pitching to publishing houses, and waiting months—or even years—for someone to say yes. These days, that’s no longer the case. Thanks to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), anyone can share their book with the world. Whether you’re a novelist, a children’s author, or you’ve written a personal story or guidebook, you can publish it on Amazon and have people reading it within days. The process is free, straightforward, and designed for everyday people, not just industry professionals.
Why Amazon KDP Is the Top Choice for Authors
Amazon KDP is the leading self-publishing platform globally. Millions of authors use it because of its reach, simplicity, and author-friendly features. Once your book is uploaded, it becomes available in Australia and overseas—including the US, UK, Canada, and more. Readers can buy it as a Kindle eBook or even as a print-on-demand paperback. Amazon handles the printing, shipping, and customer service. You focus on your book and your readers.
What You Need to Have Ready Before You Start
To make the process as smooth as possible, prepare all necessary items in advance. First, your manuscript should be finished, proofread, and formatted. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it should be clean and consistent—the same fonts, clear paragraph breaks, and proper headings. A Microsoft Word document is best, but Amazon also accepts PDFs and ePub files.
You’ll also need a title, a subtitle (if you want one), your author name (use a pen name if you prefer), and a short book description. Think of the description as your book’s sales pitch—it should tell readers what your book is about and why they’ll enjoy it. You’ll also want to come up with a few keywords that relate to your book’s topic or genre and choose two relevant categories (e.g. Fiction > Romance or Nonfiction > Health & Wellness).
Creating Your Kindle Direct Publishing Account
Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your existing Amazon account, or create a new one just for your author work. You’ll be asked to provide basic details, including your full name, address, bank account information (so you can receive payments), and tax information (Amazon requires this for legal and payment purposes). Setting up your KDP account usually takes less than 15 minutes and only needs to be done once.
Starting a New Book Project
Once you’ve logged in, click “Create” to start your new project. Choose whether you want to publish a Kindle eBook, a paperback, or a hardcover. If you’re unsure, starting with a Kindle eBook is the easiest and cheapest way to go. Later, you can reuse the same manuscript and cover file to create a print version.
You’ll fill in basic details like your book’s name, author name, and book description. You’ll also enter keywords to help Amazon’s system show your book to the right people and select two categories that best match your book’s topic or genre.
Formatting and Uploading Your Manuscript
Formatting doesn’t have to be fancy—but it does need to be clean. Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Garamond, in 12-point size. Break your book into chapters, include page breaks between sections, and use clear headings. Avoid tabs and excessive spacing, as they can make your eBook appear messy on Kindle screens.
When you’re ready, upload the manuscript directly to Amazon. KDP accepts .docx, PDF, and ePub formats. If you’re not confident in formatting, some affordable tools and freelancers can help get it Kindle-ready.
Designing or Uploading Your Book Cover
Your cover is the first thing people see—and it needs to make an impression. If you have graphic design experience, you can create your own using tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator. Just make sure it meets Amazon’s size and resolution requirements.
If you don’t have a cover yet, don’t stress. Amazon offers a free Cover Creator tool that walks you through building a simple, clean-looking cover using templates and images. While it’s basic, it serves as a good starting point until you’re ready to invest in a custom design.
Previewing and Checking Your Book
Before your book goes live, you’ll be able to use Amazon’s online preview tool to see exactly how your book will look on different devices. This step is important. Carefully check for formatting issues, page breaks, and how your text looks on screen. Make sure your chapter headings are clear and your images (if any) are displaying properly. This is your last chance to fix anything before the book goes public.
Setting Your Price and Royalty Options
Amazon gives you control over how much to charge for your book. For eBooks, you’ll choose between a 35% and 70% royalty rate. The 70% option is available if you price your eBook between AUD 2.99 and $9.99 (or the equivalent in other currencies). You’ll set the price for your main marketplace, such as Amazon.com.au, and can choose to adjust for other countries automatically.
Choosing the right price depends on your goals. A lower price may attract more readers, especially if you’re new. A higher price can mean higher royalties per sale. Take a look at other books in your category to see what readers expect.
Deciding on DRM and Distribution
You’ll be asked whether you want to enable Digital Rights Management (DRM). This prevents people from copying and sharing your book without permission. It’s optional, and there’s no “right” answer—some authors prefer to leave DRM off to allow readers more flexibility, while others use it to protect their content.
You’ll also choose whether you want your book available just on Amazon or through expanded distribution (for paperbacks only), which includes other online bookstores, libraries, and distributors. Keep in mind that expanded distribution offers lower royalties but can give your book more reach.
Publishing Your Book and Going Live
The “Publish” button should be clicked once all content has been uploaded and verified. In most cases, Amazon will review your book between twenty-four to seventy-two hours. As soon as your book is accepted, it will be uploaded to Amazon’s website and will be available for purchase. You are going to be provided with a link to the product page for your book, which you can then begin to share with your intended audience.
Making Your Book Look and Feel Professional
First impressions matter. Readers can usually tell when a book has been rushed or poorly presented. To boost your chances of success, focus on presentation. That includes a well-designed cover, clean formatting, and a clear book description. If possible, invest in a professional editor—even if it’s just for a final polish. These details make your book look more credible and trustworthy, which can help it earn better reviews and sales.
Promoting Your Book After Publishing
After the book’s release, promotion is the next step. Share your publishing experience with friends and family, post on social media, and reach out to various communities that might be interested in the topic. Regarding the launch week, one way to create interest and reviews may be by offering discounts on your book. If you’re a member of KDP Select, then Kindle Countdown Deals or Free Book Promotions may be another option since Amazon markets these deals.
Creating an email list or launching a minimal author website can work out for you; in the long run fewer readers you have to begin with, the more building blocks you acquire that could potentially be grown over time with a slow but steady pace.
Final Thoughts
By making use of the self-publishing platform offered by Amazon, you will have the opportunity to share your ideas, your story, or your experience with readers located in different parts of the world. An agency or a contract is not required; all you need is your book and the motivation to complete writing it. Having a contract or an agency is not necessary. There have been thousands of authors from Australia who have achieved this goal, and you, too, can accomplish it. It is there where you will locate the tools. The audience can be reached if one makes the effort. This moment, it is your turn to speak.