How to Publish on Amazon KDP 2025: Fast Track from Manuscript to Live

Amazon KDP Publishing Guide 2025: Launch Your Book in 24 Hours with Step-by-Step Tutorial

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing continues to redefine author independence in 2025, offering unparalleled global distribution without upfront costs. As the landscape evolves with new features and requirements, beginners need a current, actionable roadmap to navigate the publishing process efficiently.

This comprehensive tutorial delivers precisely that - a meticulously crafted, step-by-step framework that transforms your manuscript into a professionally published eBook and paperback. We'll guide you through critical stages often overlooked by newcomers: the mandatory tax interview, 2025's formatting specifications, strategic keyword implementation, and intelligent royalty selection. Follow this structured approach to bypass common pitfalls and activate your Amazon publishing presence within a single day.

Step 1: KDP Account Registration

To get started, you need an account on the Kindle Direct Publishing platform.

How to create a KDP account

Go to kdp.amazon.com and click "Sign up." You can use an existing Amazon account or create a new one.

When registering, you will need to provide: first and last name (or name of the publisher), residential address, telephone number, and email address for communication.

After basic registration, please complete your tax and payment information. Without this, you will not be able to receive payments.

Tax interview for authors from the CIS

Amazon is required to collect tax information from all authors. For residents of Russia, Ukraine, and other CIS countries, please complete form W-8BEN.

Please indicate in the form that you are not a U.S. tax resident. This will reduce or avoid U.S. withholding taxes on your royalties.

The process takes 5-10 minutes. Once your tax information is verified, your account is ready to be published.

Step 2: Manuscript Formatting for 2025 on Amazon KPD

Amazon KDP accepts files in several formats. Proper manuscript preparation is critical to the high-quality presentation of your book.

File formats for e-books

Recommended formats: EPUB, DOCX, KPF (Kindle Create). The MOBI format will no longer be supported after 2025.

DOCX is suitable for simple text books. Amazon automatically converts the file. For books with complex formatting, use EPUB or create the file using the free Kindle Create program.

Manuscript Requirements

Check your text for errors. Use Grammarly or LanguageTool for automatic checking. Format headings, paragraphs, and lists.

Add the required elements: a title page with the title and author's name, a table of contents with active links (for navigation in the e-book), and an about the author page (optional).

Remove page numbers - they are not used in e-books.

Step 3: Bestseller Cover Design: Amazon KDP

The cover is the main factor influencing clicks and sales. A poor-quality cover can ruin even a great book.

Amazon Cover Requirements

Minimum size: 1000 pixels on the short side. Recommended size: 2560 x 1600 pixels. Aspect ratio: 1.6:1. File format: JPEG or TIFF.

The cover must contain the book title and author's name. The text must be legible even in thumbnail form.

Where to create a cover

Canva is a free online editor with Kindle cover templates. Book Bolt is a paid service with professional tools for KDP.

For your first book, Canva is enough. Choose a template, change the text and images, and download as a JPG.

Alternative: Order a cover from a designer on Fiverr for $20-50.

Step 4: Book Listing Optimization: Amazon KPD

Once you've prepared your materials, proceed to publishing in the KDP control panel.

Kindle eBook Details section

Fill in the book information:

• Language - select the language of the book text.

• Title - Use keywords for SEO.

• The subtitle is an additional opportunity to add keywords.

• Series - indicate if the book is part of a series.

• Author - your name or pseudonym.

• Description – a sales text of up to 4,000 characters. Describe what the book is about and why it's worth reading.

Keywords and categories

Amazon allows you to specify seven keywords. Use phrases that readers enter when searching for books. Research your competitors and use tools like Publisher Rocket.

Choose two categories for your book. The right categories increase your chances of reaching the top and earning the bestseller badge.

Step 5: File Submission Protocol on Amazon KPD

In the Kindle eBook Content section, upload your manuscript and cover.

Uploading the manuscript

Click "Upload eBook manuscript" and select the file. Amazon will review and process the document. The process takes 1-5 minutes.

After downloading, use the Kindle Previewer to check the display. View the book on different devices: phone, tablet, and Kindle.

Setting up DRM

DRM (Digital Rights Management) is copy protection. Since 2025, DRM-free books have been available for download in EPUB and PDF formats.

Enable DRM to protect against piracy. Disable it if you want maximum accessibility for readers.

Step 6: Pricing Architecture: Royalty Analysis (35% vs. 70%) & Market Positioning

The last section is Kindle eBook Pricing.

KDP Select Program

KDP Select grants Amazon exclusivity for 90 days. In return, you get access to Kindle Unlimited (pay-per-page), the ability to run free promotions, and a 70% royalty increase in select markets.

For your first book, we recommend including KDP Select for maximum coverage.

Setting the price

Choose a royalty rate: 35% or 70%. To receive 70%, the price must be between $2.99 and $9.99.

Set the price for your primary market (usually Amazon.com ). For other markets, you can use automatic pricing or set prices manually.

First book recommendation: $2.99-4.99 to build reviews and reader base.

Step 7: Publication Protocol: Understanding Amazon's 72-Hour Review Cycle

Click "Publish Your Kindle eBook." Amazon will submit your book for review.

Moderation deadlines

Standard processing time: up to 72 hours. Most books are reviewed within 24-48 hours. This may take longer during holidays.

Amazon checks content for compliance with platform rules, file quality, and copyright compliance.

After publication

You'll receive a confirmation email. The book will appear on Amazon and become available for purchase. You'll see the "Live" status in your KDP dashboard.

Step 8: Print Edition Expansion: Paperback Setup via KDP Print

After the e-book, please add the paperback version.

Preparing files for printing

For a printed book you will need: a manuscript in PDF format with correct margins, a cover including the spine (use Amazon's calculator).

Kindle Create automatically generates a printable PDF. For the cover, use the Amazon template with calculated dimensions.

The price of a printed book

The minimum price depends on the number of pages and the printing cost. Amazon displays the minimum price in the publishing panel.

Starting in June 2025, the royalty rate for books under $9.99 will be 50%. For books over $9.99, the royalty rate will be 60%.

Publishing on Amazon KDP is a simple process accessible to any author. Register, prepare your manuscript and cover, fill out the book information, and click "Publish."

The entire process takes 2-4 hours. Within 24-72 hours, your book will be available to millions of Amazon readers worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to publish a book on Amazon KDP?

Publishing a book on Amazon KDP is completely free. You don't pay for registration, file uploads, or hosting. Amazon earns a commission on sales—you receive a royalty of 35-70% of the ebook price and 50-60% of the print price.

How long does it take for a book to be moderated on KDP?

Book moderation on Amazon KDP takes up to 72 hours. Most books are reviewed within 24-48 hours. This may take longer during holidays. Once approved, you'll receive an email, and your book will appear on Amazon with "Live" status.

Can I publish to Amazon KDP from Russia?

Yes, authors from Russia can publish books on Amazon KDP. When registering, please complete the W-8BEN tax form. Payments are available via bank transfer or check. Please be aware of any bank restrictions on international transfers.

What file format is best for publishing on KDP?

The recommended formats for e-books on Amazon KDP are EPUB, DOCX, or KPF. The MOBI format will no longer be supported as of 2025. For simple text books, DOCX is sufficient. For complex formatting, use EPUB or Kindle Create.