KDP accepts files and distributes them. It does not evaluate quality. It does not improve your cover, fix your formatting or tell you which categories to choose. The factors that determine whether a book sells on Amazon are entirely outside of KDP's platform. This is where most self-published books fail — not on KDP, but before KDP.
KDP allows two Browse categories but additional categories can be requested through KDP support. The right categories place your book on the bestseller lists that your target readers browse. We research category competition, bestseller velocity and reader browsing behaviour to select the categories with the highest discoverability potential for your specific book.
The book description is the primary sales copy on the world's most important book marketplace. Most authors write their own description and produce something that accurately summarises the book but does not make a reader want to buy it. A professionally written description hooks the reader's attention in the first sentence, builds emotional or intellectual investment, and ends with a call to action. We write it. You approve it.
KDP provides seven keyword slots that are searchable on Amazon. These are different from categories — they determine whether your book appears in specific search results. The right keywords are the exact phrases readers type when looking for a book like yours. We research actual Amazon search behaviour and populate all seven slots with high-intent, low-competition phrases specific to your book's topic, genre and audience.
Your cover must convert at 80 pixels wide. That is the size a potential reader sees your book in Amazon search results. If the title is unreadable, the genre is unclear or the image becomes an unrecognisable smear at that size, your cover will not perform on Amazon regardless of how it looks at full resolution. Every cover we design is evaluated at thumbnail size before delivery.
KDP pays 70% royalties on eBooks priced $2.99 to $9.99 and 35% on all other prices. The right price is not simply the highest price that maximises per-sale royalty — it is the price that maximises total revenue by balancing royalty rate, conversion rate and sales volume. Genre expectations, competitor pricing and your marketing strategy all inform the optimal price point. We advise on pricing during the listing setup.
KDP Select requires 90-day eBook exclusivity to Amazon in exchange for Kindle Unlimited inclusion and promotional tools. Wide distribution means simultaneously publishing to Apple Books, Kobo, Nook and all other platforms. The right choice depends on your genre, your audience and your long-term strategy. We advise on the optimal approach for your specific book and set up accordingly.
| Format | Royalty Rate | Example: $14.99 book | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBook ($2.99–$9.99) | 70% | $4.89 at $6.99 price | Delivery fee deducted (~$0.06/MB) |
| eBook (other prices) | 35% | $5.25 at $14.99 price | No delivery fee deducted |
| Paperback (US) | 60% minus print cost | ~$5.14 (250 pages) | Print cost varies by page count and trim |
| Hardcover (US) | 60% minus print cost | ~$6.50 at $24.99 | Higher print cost than paperback |
Royalty rates apply to sales in qualifying Amazon markets. Rates vary slightly for expanded international markets. All royalties are paid monthly with a 60-day payment delay after the sale month.
