The Complete Amazon KDP Upload Guide for First-Time Authors

Before opening the KDP form

Store this information in one upload record. Consistency matters across the cover, interior, metadata, and other editions.

• Final approved manuscript or interior for the chosen format
• Final cover using the exact format specifications
• Title, subtitle, author, contributors, series, and edition details
• Description, keywords, and category candidates
• Publishing rights, territories, AI disclosure classification, and ISBN decision
• Price scenarios and expected royalty for relevant marketplaces

Step 1: Enter the book details

From the KDP Bookshelf, choose the format and language, then enter the title, subtitle, series, edition, author, contributors, and description. Answer publishing-rights and audience questions accurately. Select keywords and categories that represent the actual book.

Check every field against the approved record. Some identity changes can be difficult or require a new edition after publication.

For the broader publishing workflow, continue with Amazon KDP Publishing Checklist: Manuscript to Live Book.

Step 2: Upload the content and cover

Complete the ISBN or identifier step appropriate to the format and project. Answer KDP's current AI-generated content question accurately. Upload the manuscript or interior and a cover that uses the final page count and print specifications.

Allow files to process fully. A successful upload message does not prove that the layout is correct.

Step 3: Use the preview tools

• Review every automated warning and error.
• Inspect front matter, chapter starts, tables, images, exercises, references, and final pages.
• Check margins, bleed, spine, barcode area, and cover alignment for print.
• Check navigation, links, image scaling, and reading order for eBooks.
• Return to the source file for corrections and upload a new version.

For the closely related decision, read How to Format a Paperback for Amazon KDP.

Step 4: Choose rights, distribution, and price

Select the territories where you hold rights. For eBooks, decide whether KDP Select's current benefits and exclusivity fit the publishing plan. For print, review distribution choices and their royalty implications.

Set marketplace prices using current minimums, maximums, royalty options, delivery costs, and print costs. Review the displayed estimated royalties; do not assume every marketplace produces the same amount.

Step 5: Submit and monitor review

Before clicking Publish, compare the complete setup against the upload record one final time. Amazon then reviews the title under its current process. Timing and requested corrections vary.

If Amazon raises an issue, correct the underlying file or metadata rather than trying random resubmissions. Preserve the correspondence and final approved version.

Before moving to the next stage, use How to Start Amazon KDP: A Realistic Beginner Workflow as a practical follow-through.

Step 6: Verify the live book

1. Open the product page

   Confirm title, cover, author, description, format, price, and availability.

2. Check edition linking

   Where relevant, confirm eBook, paperback, and hardcover formats are associated correctly.

3. Inspect the sample

   Review the visible opening pages and navigation for a reader-facing defect.

4. Order or download a copy

   Validate the delivered customer file or physical book, not only the prepublication preview.

5. Save the baseline

   Record identifiers, URLs, files, metadata, prices, and publication dates for later changes.