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To publish a book on Amazon KDP, create your account, pick your book type (journal, coloring book, activity book or novel), prepare a print-ready interior PDF and a full cover at the right size, fill in the listing (title, description, 7 keywords, categories), set your price and hit publish. It costs nothing up front: Amazon prints each copy on demand and takes the printing cost out of your royalty. This guide covers every step, plus the rules that differ by genre.
Lire en français : Publier un livre sur Amazon KDP : le guide pas à pas
Table of contents
Which kind of book to publish on KDP
KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) handles paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle ebooks. At S.T.Designer I have published 6 notebooks and books there, and the genres I am most interested in next are history, fiction, coloring books for kids and adults, and educational activity books. Each follows slightly different rules.
| Type | "Low-content" for KDP? | ISBN | Best formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook, planner, journal | Yes | Optional | Paperback |
| Coloring book | No | Required (free from KDP) | Large paperback |
| Activity book | No | Required (free from KDP) | Paperback |
| Novel, history book | No | Required for print | Paperback, hardcover, Kindle ebook |
A common mix-up: according to KDP's help page on low-content books, coloring and activity books generally do not count as low-content. Only notebooks, planners, journals and fill-in templates do. A low-content book can go live without an ISBN, but then it cannot use Expanded Distribution or the "Look Inside" preview.
How to publish on KDP in 8 steps
- Create your KDP account at kdp.amazon.com with your Amazon login, then complete the tax and payment details.
- Pick the format: Kindle ebook, paperback or hardcover. A paperback is enough for coloring books and journals.
- Prepare the interior as a PDF at your trim size (for example 6 × 9 in for a novel, 8.5 × 11 in for a coloring book). If artwork runs to the page edge, add 0.125 in of bleed.
- Build the full cover: back cover, spine and front cover in one file. Spine width depends on page count and paper type, and KDP provides a calculator and templates.
- Fill in the listing: title, subtitle, author or pen name, description, 7 keywords and categories. Tick "Low-content" only for journals, planners and the like.
- Disclose AI where needed: KDP asks you to declare AI-generated text, images or translations, even after heavy edits. Using AI only to edit or proofread your own work does not need disclosure.
- Set your price and check the royalty shown for each marketplace.
- Review the online previewer, order a proof copy if you can, then publish. KDP's review can take up to 72 hours.
💡 Pro tip: keep the barcode area clear
If you publish without an ISBN (low-content journal), KDP prints a barcode in a 2 × 1.2 in white box at the lower right of the back cover. Keep that area free of text and images, or your file may be rejected or your artwork covered.
Genre-specific tips
Coloring books for kids and adults
- Print illustrations single-sided: a blank back page stops markers from bleeding into the next design.
- For kids: bold lines, simple shapes, big spaces. For adults: more detail, patterns and relaxing themes.
- Put the age range clearly in the title or subtitle.
Activity and learning books
- Target one age band (ages 3–5, 6–8) and one clear goal: handwriting, scissor skills, logic, numbers.
- Include an answer key for puzzles that need one.
- Proofread every instruction: errors in an educational book lead to bad reviews fast.
Novels and history books
- Publish both the ebook and the paperback: they reach different readers.
- Invest in layout (margins, line spacing, page numbers) and editing more than for any other genre.
- For the ebook, KDP Select gives you Kindle Unlimited in exchange for 90 days of digital exclusivity.
Typography has a big impact on perceived value: see my post on typography styles for journals, planners and low-content books.
How much you earn per book
For a paperback sold on Amazon, KDP's help center gives this formula:
(royalty rate × list price) − printing cost = royalty
- The rate is 60% at $9.99 and above on Amazon.com, and 50% below that.
- Through Expanded Distribution (bookstores and other retailers) it drops to 40%.
- Printing cost depends on page count and ink (black or color), not on trim size.
KDP's own example: a $15 paperback that costs $5 to print earns (0.60 × $15) − $5 = $4 per sale. For black and white coloring books, keep the page count sensible, since every page adds to the printing cost.
What about IngramSpark?
KDP sells mainly through Amazon. IngramSpark reaches far more bookstores and libraries. Many authors start on KDP, then add IngramSpark to get into physical stores.
Finding a book idea that sells
The method is the same as for t-shirts: a specific audience, proven demand and competition you can beat. My guide on how to find a print on demand niche works for books too.
To see what actually sells, I use Podly, which also tracks KDP books across six Amazon marketplaces. For example, a search for "coloring book" on Amazon.com on October 27, 2026 brought up "bold and easy" coloring books (thick lines, simple drawings) for adults and teens with cozy and seasonal themes, plus a scissor-skills activity book for ages 3–5. That kind of snapshot shows which styles work before you draw a single page.
FAQ
Is it free to publish on Amazon KDP?
Yes. Creating an account and publishing cost nothing. Amazon prints each copy on demand and deducts the printing cost from your royalty.
Do I need an ISBN for KDP?
For print books, yes, but KDP gives you one for free. Only low-content books (notebooks, planners, journals) can be published without one, with some limits.
Is a coloring book a low-content book on KDP?
No. According to KDP's help center, coloring and activity books generally are not low-content. They are published with an ISBN, like any other book.
Can I sell AI-generated coloring books on KDP?
Yes, but KDP requires you to disclose AI-generated images when you publish, even if you edited them. Check every page carefully too: blurry or inconsistent lines lead to poor reviews.
Key takeaways
Publishing on Amazon KDP is free and open to anyone: choose your genre, prepare an interior and cover at the correct size, write a precise listing and set a price that covers printing. Start with a simple format, then expand to other genres and platforms.
Lire en français : Publier un livre sur Amazon KDP : le guide pas à pas
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