Course 8: KDP Step by Step (Kindle, Paperback and Hardback, UK and US) (PDF Guide)
A 36-page printable PDF guide for UK and US self-publishers with a finished book: publish a Kindle ebook, paperback and hardback on Amazon KDP, with account, tax interview, royalty and pricing rules explained step by step.
It is part of Self-Publishing: From Beginner to Pro, a ten-course series of printable PDF guides from Long Room Learning. Written in plain UK English with UK and US rules side by side. Facts, prices and platform rules were checked on the official websites on 27 October 2026. Screens are described by task name, so the guide stays useful when buttons move.
What you'll learn
- Account details, bank details and the tax interview, UK and US side by side
- Every task page for a Kindle ebook (Details, Content, Pricing) in the order KDP shows them
- Every task page for a paperback or hardback (Details, Content, Rights & Pricing)
- Ebook royalties: 35% or 70%, price bands (including the July 2026 change on Amazon.com), delivery costs and worked examples
- Print royalties: the £7.99 and $9.99 thresholds, current printing costs, minimum prices and worked examples
- KDP Select: what you gain, what you give up, Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions
- Expanded Distribution: what it pays, who it suits and when to leave it unticked
- Pre-orders, scheduled print releases, proofs and author copies
- After you publish: timelines, checking your live page, what locks, new editions and getting paid
Four printable handouts, including a pricing and royalty calculator sheet
Who it's for
First-time self-publishers in the UK or the US who have a finished book and want to publish it on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Who it's not for
It does not cover formatting your files, designing a cover, choosing ISBNs, IngramSpark or launch marketing and advertising (those have their own courses). It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and it makes no promises about sales.
Common questions
How do I publish a book on Amazon KDP?
KDP is free to use. Set up your bank and tax details first, then set up each format separately: a Kindle ebook has three tasks (Details, Content, Pricing) and a paperback or hardback has Details, Content and Rights & Pricing. Order a printed proof before publishing print. Course 8 walks through every task page in order.
How much royalty does KDP pay?
Ebooks earn 35% or 70%. In the UK the 70% option needs a list price between £1.77 and £12.99, and on Amazon.com, since July 2026, $2.99 to $12.99. Paperbacks and hardbacks earn 60% at £7.99 and above on Amazon.co.uk (50% at £7.98 and below; the US line is $9.99), minus printing costs. Checked 27 October 2026; Course 8 has worked examples.
Do I need to do the KDP tax interview if I live in the UK?
Yes. KDP asks for your legal name, a bank account and a tax profile. Without a completed tax profile, non-US publishers can have 30% US tax withheld from US sales. Course 8 sets out the UK and US differences side by side (general information, not tax advice).
Should I tick KDP Expanded Distribution?
It offers your paperback to other shops and libraries at a 40% royalty. Do not tick it if you also plan to use IngramSpark with the same ISBN. Course 8 explains who it suits.
What can't I change after publishing on KDP?
Title, subtitle, author, edition, ISBN, imprint and trim size cannot simply be edited later, so check them twice before you press Publish.
How long does KDP take to publish a book?
Up to 72 hours. Formats can take up to a week to link on one product page, and Expanded Distribution can take up to eight weeks.
What you get
An instant-download A4 PDF (36 pages) to read on screen or print, including four printable handouts: a Kindle ebook set-up checklist, a print set-up and proof checklist, a pricing and royalty calculator sheet, and a KDP Select decision record.
Digital download (PDF). General information only; not legal, tax or financial advice. Rates, prices and rules were checked on KDP's official help pages on 27 October 2026 and can change at any time, so always check the official pages before you publish. Long Room Learning is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Amazon or Kindle Direct Publishing. No level of sales or income is promised.
