Amazon has become a dominant force in the ever-evolving world of book publishing. Known for its vast marketplace, Amazon offers various publishing platforms that allow authors to self-publish and reach millions of readers worldwide. Amazon Publishing is a game-changer for many authors, providing accessible and lucrative opportunities to publish and promote their books independently.
Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer, understanding how Amazon Publishing works is crucial to navigating the self-publishing landscape effectively. In this blog, we’ll dive into the different Amazon publishing platforms, their features, and how you can make the most of them to publish and promote your book successfully.
What is Amazon Publishing?
Amazon Publishing refers to the umbrella of services Amazon provides for authors to publish and sell their books directly on Amazon’s platform. These services are designed for both traditional and self-published authors, offering various publishing options, from eBooks to physical books. Amazon Publishing allows authors to retain creative control while benefiting from Amazon’s vast global reach and marketing tools.
Amazon offers multiple self-publishing platforms, the most popular of which are:
- Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
- Amazon Publishing (Traditional)
- Amazon’s Audible for Audiobooks
Let’s explore these platforms in detail.
1. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s most popular platform for self-publishing eBooks and paperbacks. It’s an easy-to-use service that allows authors to upload their books directly to Amazon’s marketplace, set their pricing, and choose between royalty options.
- Benefits of KDP:
- Global Reach: Amazon’s marketplace spans over 100 countries, meaning your book has the potential to reach a massive audience.
- Royalty Options: Authors may choose among 2 royalty options—35% or 70%. The 70% royalty option is available for eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 and requires your book to be enrolled in KDP Select (more on that later).
- Print and Digital: KDP enables authors for publishing eBooks & great paperback versions. It provides Print on Demand (POD) services, meaning there’s no upfront cost for printing physical books.
- Easy Setup: The process of uploading your book is quick and straightforward, with tools available for formatting, cover design, and manuscript upload.
- KDP Select:
KDP Select is an exclusive plan that provides Amazon the rights for selling your eBook for 90 days, with the potential for greater royalties & extra promotional elements such as Kindle Unlimited (KU) & Kindle Countdown options. However, you need to agree to distribute an eBook completely on Amazon for an enrollment in KDP Select.
2. Amazon Publishing (Traditional)
While KDP is a self-publishing place, Amazon Publishing refers to Amazon’s conventional publication arm. Unlike KDP, where authors maintain complete control, Amazon Publishing works more like a traditional publishing house. Authors sign a contract with Amazon Publishing, and Amazon takes care of the editorial, design, and marketing processes.
Amazon Publishing is divided into several imprints that specialize in various genres, including:
- Amazon Original Stories: For short-form fiction and non-fiction
- Montlake: Romance, thriller, and women’s fiction
- Thomas & Mercer: Mystery, thrillers, and crime
- 30 West: Literary fiction and non-fiction
- Benefits of Amazon Publishing:
- Expert Support: Amazon provides professional editing, cover design, marketing, and distribution, which can help authors produce a higher-quality product.
- Wide Distribution: Books published through Amazon Publishing benefit from Amazon’s vast global distribution network, including both physical bookstores and digital sales.
- Marketing and Promotions: Amazon Publishing offers various promotional tools and strategies, leveraging Amazon’s vast marketing resources to help authors gain visibility.
While Amazon Publishing can offer a more hands-off experience, authors must relinquish more control over their books and typically receive a lower royalty percentage than self-published authors using KDP.
3. Audiobook Publishing with Audible
Audible, owned by Amazon, is the largest audiobook distributor worldwide. Audiobooks are gaining popularity, and Amazon provides an easy way for authors to publish their audiobooks through ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange).
- Benefits of Audible/ACX:
- Global Distribution: Your audiobook will be easily available on Audible, Amazon & iTunes.
- Royalty Options: Authors can choose between a royalty share deal or a flat fee for audiobook narration. The royalty share option gives authors 40% of the royalties from audiobook sales.
- Easy Upload Process: ACX simplifies the audiobook production by connecting authors with professional narrators. Authors can select narrators or produce the audiobook themselves.
- Wide Audience: Since Audible is integrated with Amazon, your audiobook will benefit from Amazon’s global audience, helping to drive sales and visibility.
How to Succeed with Amazon Publishing
- Optimize Your Book Listings
When publishing on Amazon, optimizing your book listings to make them more visible to potential readers is crucial. You need to ensure that your book title, description & keywords are super compelling & relevant to your targeted audience. Make sure that you use the accurate categories & subcategories for increasing your chances to appear in the relevant searches. - Focus on Cover Design
Your book cover is the first thing potential readers will see, so make sure it looks professional. A visually appealing, genre-specific cover can significantly increase click-through rates and conversions. Amazon offers tools to design your cover or hire an experienced designer. - Get Reviews and Build Credibility
Book reviews are vital to the success of your Amazon Publishing efforts. Encourage your readers to leave great reviews on Amazon, as books with more great reviews perform better in search results & attract more new readers. - Use Amazon Advertising
Amazon offers various paid advertising options to help you get more visibility. Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) makes you run ads on Amazon & increase a reach of your book to the perfect audience. Sponsored product ads, display ads, and lock-screen ads are all viable options for increasing book sales. - Enroll in Kindle Unlimited (KU)
If you’ve enrolled in KDP Select, your book will be available on Kindle Unlimited (KU), Amazon’s eBook subscription service. KU readers consider borrowing books through their subscription & authors are paid depending on the number of pages read. This can help generate more exposure and income for your book. - Utilize Amazon’s Promotional Tools
Take advantage of Amazon’s promotional tools, such as Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions (available through KDP Select). These can help you increase sales and attract new readers by offering your book at a discount or for free for a limited time.
Conclusion
Amazon Publishing is a powerful tool for authors, whether self-publishing with KDP or seeking the professional support of traditional publishing through Amazon’s imprints. The platform’s reach, ease of use, and marketing resources make it an excellent choice for authors who want to publish and promote their books with minimal barriers to entry. Whether you’re releasing an eBook, paperback, or audiobook, Amazon’s publishing services provide the tools and resources you need to succeed in the competitive book market.
At Book Planets, we help authors navigate the complexities of Amazon Publishing. Whether you need assistance with formatting, cover design, or promotional strategies, our team is here to guide you through the process and ensure your book is positioned for success.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between KDP and Amazon Publishing?
KDP is a self-publishing platform where authors maintain complete control, while Amazon Publishing is a traditional publishing option that offers editorial support but with less author control.
2. Can I publish both eBooks and print books on KDP?
Yes, KDP allows you to publish eBooks and paperbacks, with print-on-demand services available for physical copies.
3. Is Kindle Unlimited worth enrolling in?
Kindle Unlimited can increase visibility and generate income through page reads, especially if your book is part of a popular genre or series.
4. How do I get my audiobook on Audible?
You can publish your audiobook on Audible through ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), where you can narrate the book yourself or hire a professional narrator.
5. What marketing tools does Amazon offer for authors?
Amazon offers different promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals, Free Book Promotions & Amazon Advertising for helping authors to market their books ideally.
