Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the service provided by Amazon for content creators publishing paperback and hardback books as well as Kindle eBooks. Both fiction and non-fiction books can be published on the platform. The service is accessed via the KDP website at https://kdp.amazon.com where publications, earnings and online advertising information is presented in a clear and concise manner. KDP is a great platform for writers in terms of accessibility and freedom – a chance to distribute your content via a sophisticated, reputable website without the complexity of agents, negotiation or editors. However, the quality in terms of accuracy of information (in the case of non-fiction), grammar, spelling and structure are, for the most part, in the hands of the author and promoting your work can be challenging.
One of the key advantages of KDP is that it uses a Print-on-Demand (PoD) delivery system. Paperback and Hardback books are ordered online, printed at the nearest Amazon KDP facility and delivered as part of the cost to the reader. This means that, once the author has published the book Amazon does the rest of the work for you. The cost of printing is deducted from the royalty payout depending on the size, number of pages and paper quality. Royalty options for book sales vary depending upon the format and overall price. However, typical royalties for paperbacks are 60% and the calculation is as follows (royalty rate x list price) – printing costs = royalty. For example (0.60 x £26.00) – £6.33 = £9.27. See the KDP website for more about eBook pricing and paperback pricing.
Publishing
There are a variety of methods for preparing your manuscript for publication. The two most common are to use Kindle Create, Amazon’s free book creation software or upload a PDF. In terms of ease of use, Kindle Create automatically generates an upload package compatible with KDP’s technical requirements whereas PDFs require a much greater degree of technical knowledge to ensure that they are:
- The right size for print (including bleed if required) or Kindle screens
- The correct version of PDF with all transparency flattened and fonts included
- Adjusted using Kindle Create and Kindle Previewer to ensure eBooks function correctly
- Do not exceed the file upload limit (650Mb limit according to KDP documentation)
Creating PDFs
PDF is short for Portable Document File (ISO 32000) and is a format that effectively and efficiently combines text, vector graphics and bitmaps. The quality of text and vector graphics (shapes defined by mathematical calculations rather than individual pixels) are preserved whilst bitmaps (such as photographs) can be compressed in a variety of ways for faster delivery over the internet or remain uncompressed (retaining maximum quality) where large file size is not an issue. In addition, a PDF can contain forms, annotations, 3D objects, video and other data formats.
Exporting a PDF from a Desktop Publishing (DTP) application such as Adobe’s InDesign is one of the best ways to create a book with a professional layout but also requires more effort and skill, whereas Kindle Create offers an easier route to ‘press’ with design capability akin to that of Microsoft Word. Below are examples of pages created with Adobe InDesign and uploaded in PDF format as part of the Freelancer’s Handbook.
ISBN
Every paperback or hardback book published requires an 13 digit ISBN – this is an International Standard Book Number. Kindle Direct Publishing will provide a free ISBN for both your paperback and hardback books. It is possible to add an ISBN number to your Kindle eBook but it is not a requirement. Your ISBN is used to log and document the title of your publication and is only intended for monographic use, not photography or music. Note that they are also not used for academic journals or magazines unless the magazine issue is printed as a book rather than a periodical.
Creating Covers
The Kindle Direct Publishing website provides basic tools and a library of stock images to create cover designs. However, it is possible to generate designs with DTP (InDesign) or artwork creation tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create artwork, providing greater flexibility. The KDP system will add the ISBN and barcode to the book automatically once the uploaded cover file has been validated. Below are some examples – on the left, created with Adobe InDesign and on the right, created with KDP cover designer.
Disclaimers
It is possible to find yourself at the centre of a lawsuit or find your content distributed online without consequence unless a disclaimer is clearly defined at in the opening pages of your book. Fiction usually requires a disclaimer highlighting that any similarity to actual events or characters depicted in the book is not intentional. A non-fiction disclaimer usually focusses on the quality of content and advice contained within. One frequently asked question regarding the publication process is ‘where can I find examples of wording for a disclaimer?‘. A quick search for ‘book disclaimer templates’ on the internet will reveal numerous sites with examples including Kindlepreneur.com. By cross referencings several templates it is possible to optimise your own wording. Alternatively, contact a lawyer to assist you with your disclaimer.
Below is the disclaimer in the Freelancer’s Handbook:
Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.
The information in this book is not designed to replace detailed information on legal aspects of running a business or provide health and safety training. As with any activity involving electronic recording equipment and accessories, using these in public and private locations poses some inherent risk. The author and publisher advise readers to take full responsibility for their safety and apply both common sense as well as an understanding of the safety risks involved in any given circumstance, to both themselves and others around them. Before practicing the skills described in this book, be sure that your equipment is well maintained and ensure you adhere to appropriate laws related to both safety and privacy.
The images printed in this book have been used with kind permission of the copyright owner and are credited where appropriate. The inclusion of these images does not constitute endorsement or approval. Website screenshots have been included under a ‘fair use’ policy as they promote and highlight important sources of content for creative industries professionals.
– Freelancer’s Handbook by Peter Simcoe, Simcoemedia.
Summary
So is it worth releasing your material on Kindle Direct Publishing? If you are seeking to get a publishing deal for your material then you need to pursue a different course of action. If you are wishing to self publish (and likely give up the chance of any deal) then KDP remains a strong contender as a one stop publishing shop with reasonable financial return for your efforts. Kindle Create software is provided to assist you if you are not familiar with DTP packages and the initial financial outlay is only your time. Print-on-Demand and worldwide distribution via Amazon provides reliable and cost effective method of delivery for paperbacks or hardbacks and Kindle format delivery fees are dependent upon file size. It is also possible to set up paid adverts displaying your book when potential readers are searching the Amazon bookstore.
