This page will be mostly oriented towards KDP / Amazon.
I'm trying to publish something on Amazon, and this is a list of topics and potential pitfalls. Whenever I find more or useful information - or the amount of information gets too much - I'll add a post to the blog with that information and / or relevant links, and update this table accordingly.
If I haven't addressed some entry then I suggest to Google for the listed topic. Everything can be found on the Internet, after all, and that information might be better than what I found or provided...
This page is currently under construction, and will be updated 'as I go and learn'...
Working Title
Something to keep this story / part / work separate from all the other magnificent projects you're working on. This might not be the same as your final title, but then again, it might.
I. Writing
I believe that a reader deserves all the attention he / she can get. So I believe a real writer should care about the reader - not only as a potential customer and source of revenue, but as a real person who is willing to give a slice of their live to read your work.
Such a person deserves proper spelling and correct punctuation. Treat your readers like you want them to treat you.
1. Your stance on AI
Personally I think this is important. Not because I have a very strong opinion on AI, but because your readers might!
2. Target demographic
Who is your audience? Who are your readers? You may not have decided yet, and might just decide to figure it out after completing your story, and there's nothing wrong with that. But if you have a certain 'target group' in mind, then you should adjust your writing style and word choice to suit your audience.
3. Language
4. Style
5. Writing
6. Edit
7. Proofread
8. (External) Editor
II. Exposure
You need to understand your audience. Where and what do they buy? How would they consume your story? How do you pitch your story?
1. Your stance on AI
2. Target demographic
Now that your story is done it's time to figure out your potential readers. That - in combination with the actual story - will define things like how to distribute, describe your work, how your blurb / pitch should read, and how your cover might look.
You may decide on targeting a subset of your previous target demographic (compared with the previous section).
It's also time to assign your book to a 'genre' now, if possible.
3. Region / channel
What geographic regions do you want to sell your work? Do you want to sell eBooks, limit yourself to Amazon, use other formats such as paperback and hardcover, or even use other channels such as Kobo or a local printshop?
KDP
You can sell eBooks and physical books elsewhere, as long as you do not use your Amazon ISBN. (Each book / channel may require its own ISBN.) Some pricing limitations may apply.
Note that Amazon does change terms and conditions now and again, so always check.
Kindle Unlimited / Kindle Select
This is a subscription based service that offers people unlimited reads from qualifying books for a fixed fee per month.
Only Applies to eBooks. Your eBook must be exclusive to KDP / Amazon. You can still sell physical copies to other channels.
4. Genre / Category
At least think about it at this stage.
5. Title
The actual title of your book
6. Tagline
A promotional line of text to attract the attention of the reader.
7. Summary / Synopsis
Can you summarize your story / book in a few lines? Perhaps one or two paragraphs? This is not the same as the 'description' used by Amazon KDP on the product page, but more of a 'synopsis', a way to condense the essence of your book in a few lines. This may be helpful in describing your book for a library or publisher. This isn't a pitch!
You'll end up with a Summary, a Description (Amazon), a Pitch, and a Blurb. They're all related, but not the same.
8. (Amazon Product) Description
This is the product description as shown on Amazon.
This is more a 'miniature sales page' than a summary. Where you catch / hook the reader
Study other book descriptions for more information. You can add some custom formatting to this section. See here.
9. (Amazon) Series description
If your book is part of a series you also need a description of the series (you'll need this for Amazon in section IV below). Otherwise you can skip this one.
10. Pitch
Can you write a pitch to promote your story using only a few lines? Perhaps a single line?
This is the shorter version of the Amazon Product Description.
11. Blurb
The 'Blurb' is the short text on the backside of your book, which aims to drag in your potential readers and buyers. It sists between Description and Pitch in length, and is what most potential buyers read when they picked up your physical book.
12. Cover
See the note on AI.
If you plan to have your book printed as well, then you may have to adjust your cover image to whatever Amazon requires. Note that the spine size will depend on the thickness (number of pages) of your book.
13. Frontmatter & Backmatter
III. Technical
1. Book size (words and pages)
2. Size (physical)
Let's assume each page has 275 words, then a 50k novella would be approx. 181 pages.
According to Amazon KDP - Paperback Printing Costs all regular books (smaller than 6.12" x 9") have the same fixed cost price, regardless of size. So, the number of pages will be the primary driver. 5" x 8" and 5.5" x 8.5" are common sizes for mass market paperbacks.
On the Amazon KDP - Print Options page they show the limits (in pages) for each format. No problems for a regular print size (24 to 776 pages in black ink on creme paper).
Obviously, more pages mean higher printing costs.
The Amazon Printing Costs and Royalty Calculator tells me the minimal list price is $6.34, which results in a royalty of exactly $0.00. At $8.99 it's sold at €7.67 on Amazon.nl, which leaves a whopping 90 eurocents per sold book. Keep in mind that this is a Novella, and that the margins on eBooks are better.
Summarizing: if you stick to regular formats, the number of pages becomes the cost driver. 5" x 8" or 5.5" x 8.5" will do for shorter works. If you have a massive book to sell, you may increase the size and decrease line spacing and / or font to keep costs under control.
3. Cover for physical books
The cover calculator will show the width of the spine, and can generate a template. The cover must be provided as a single .PDF file (back, spine and front combined) of maximal 650 MB.
4. Format (eBook)
Consider Atticus.
5. Cover for eBooks
6. LCCN / ASIN / ISBN
Most likely you do not need an LCCN.
If you want to distribute your book through other channels than Amazon you probably need an ISBN. If you go Amazon only you don't need an ISBN, as Amazon will provide you with an ASIN as well as an ISBN.
You are expected to (read: must) buy your ISBN numbers in the region where you live (or publisher resides). If you want to be listed as the publisher an ISBN is required.
You need a new ISBN if you change the medium, size, cover, distribution channel, or make essential changes to the contents. You do not need a new ISBN if you just fixed typos etc.
For the Netherlands, the official registrar is https://isbn.nl/
7. Copyright
Although you own the copyright on your work automatically, you cannot file a claim (in the US) if you have not registered your copyright. (Personally I think this is a bit weird, but that's the way it is.)
IV. Marketing
1. Target Demographic
Anything that changed? Probably not, but it's a good moment to reconsider before spending hard earned money...
2. Promotion
How would or will you promote your book?
3. Online presence (homepage, Facebook, Tik Tok, ...)
Do you have a homepage / website? A Facebook page? Do you stream on Tik Tok?
4. Author Central (Amazon)
5. Mailing List
6. Advertising
7. Pricing
V. Amazon
Most of these entries are steps in the Amazon KDP publishing process, or fields found on the pages involved. Some of these entries use information gathered / created during the items listed in sections I to IV on this page.
1. Amazon account
Create an Amazon account on https://amazon.com
2. Add Series
If your book is part of a series then:
2. Bookshelf3. Create new title or series4. Enter a description
3. Add Book
1. https://kdp.amazon.com
2. Bookshelf3. Create eBook4. Language5. Title
A title on an Amazon page consists of two parts, separated by a colon. There's the title (the bit before the colon) and the subtitle (the bit after the colon).
You cannot change a title or subtitle after publication.
6. Subtitle (optional)
The bit after the colon. This part is optional. Some say you need it, some say you don't. Lots of fiction novels do not use a subtitle.
You cannot change a title or subtitle after publication.
7. Series
8. Edition Number (optional)
9. Author (Pen Name)
10. Contributors
11. Description
12. Publishing rights
13. Primary Audience14. Primary marketplace15. Categories
16. Keywords
17. Pre-order
V. More
Links to other sources / pages, some step by step
- Jovana Lukitch on Reddit
- Reedsy - Guide to DKP
- Kindlepreneur - Step by step - Some good information but EXTREMELY annoying pop-ups
This page is under construction.
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