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How to Publish on Amazon (with pictures)

(A slightly more detailed/revised version is available in my Tips for Writing Guide. I've left this one here because the link has been shared so much).

So, you've written a book, and you'd like to try and sell your story. Self-publishing is a time-consuming, but viable option if you don't want to go through the querying and revision processes with traditional publishers.

There are many different sites, but let's say you decided to go with Amazon (kdp.amazon.com), but then comes questions, where do you start? What do you do?

I'm hoping this chapter will help explain a lot of what initially confused me. Please note that I've only used Amazon once so far, so this is a general guide, and I highly recommend asking more experienced authors. 

(Printscreens are at the bottom to show what each step on Amazon looks like)

I used to recommend visiting the Wattpad forums for advice, but they are closed as of Aug 2020, and I haven't heard of an ETA for the new ones. There are various articles on Google, and a large number of books on this site by published authors. I also made a very short write up in my Tips for Writing on Wattpad guide (www.wattpad.com/929120910-tips-for-writing-on-wattpad-just-the-basics).

So, how do you go about publishing on Amazon? (Explanation of work beforehand, then printscreens of the setup pages).

1. Edit your manuscript (Story): Even if you think your story is edited, edit it again. Even have a friend or two read it, or check the Wattpad comments on your book for any points of confusion.

I advise using the free version of Grammarly or ProWritingAid to double check your spelling and grammar (not all their suggestions are accurate, but it helps flag things to double check.)

Also check things like chapter lengths, two spaces where there should only be one, etc. Even print it for the last round of editing (change the margins so it lines up differently - which catches some issues).

Add the front-matter between the cover and story (title page, copyright page, dedications, etc) and a back page if you like.

2. Format your manuscript: This will vary between ebook and print. You can either Do-It-Yourself or hire it out to a formatter. (If you hire it out, tell them if it's for ebook or print, as well as which size you prefer)

For print, the most popular smaller sizes for novels are: 5x8, 5.25x8, 5.5x8.5, and 6x9. (See the Kindle Create page for other common sizes). If you wish to do it yourself, I highly suggest using Kindle formatting tool or their pre-formatted word templates:

Pre-formatted word templates (paperback): kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834230  (Note all the formatting steps are also on this page for you - headers, page numbers, etc. I advise printing it out and checking off the steps as you do them)

Kindle Create: www.amazon.com/kindlecreate

Kindle Previewer: kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=G202131170  Note: the create and Previewer are for formatting and viewing - not editing. If you try editing in these, ensure they upload correctly.

(Ensure copyright page with all editors, cover designers, cover alterations, and final publish date are correct)

3. If you want, get an ISBN number (Amazon will provide one free of charge if you plan to leave your story on Amazon.) (They're free in Canada, so I just did the paperwork for one)

If you provide your own ISBN (how to obtain them varies by country), use the 13 digit on both in the form and in your manuscript - if you have the 10 digit one on the copyright page - remove it. It creates a verification error when Amazon checks your story before publishing.