Tutorial

How to Self-Publish on Amazon KDP with AI in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

BY EBOOKBAZAR EDITORIAL2026-02-2710 min read

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is the world's largest self-publishing platform — and in 2026, AI tools have made it easier than ever to go from zero to published author. Here's the complete walkthrough.

What You Need Before You Start

  • An Amazon KDP account (free at kdp.amazon.com)
  • Your AI-generated ebook — we'll use eBookBazar for this tutorial
  • A book cover (Canva or a freelance designer will do)
  • 15-30 minutes of your time

Step 1: Generate Your Ebook with AI

Don't start with KDP — start with your manuscript. The biggest mistake new publishers make is spending weeks writing when AI can produce a publish-ready draft in minutes.

  1. Go to eBookBazar's Create page
  2. Enter a specific topic. Example: "A beginner's guide to indoor herb gardening for apartment dwellers with no outdoor space"
  3. Review the generated outline, tweak chapters if needed
  4. Hit Generate — your full manuscript will be ready in under 5 minutes
  5. Export as EPUB (Kindle's preferred format) and PDF (for your records)

For the full generation tutorial, read: How to generate an ebook in 5 minutes.

Step 2: Create Your KDP Account

If you don't have a KDP account yet:

  1. Visit kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account
  2. Complete your tax information (required for payouts)
  3. Add your bank details for royalty payments
  4. Choose your marketplace (US, UK, DE, IN, etc.)

Pro Tip: If you're in India, use your PAN card for tax details and add an Indian bank account. Amazon KDP pays royalties in INR directly to Indian accounts.

Step 3: Upload Your Manuscript

  1. Click "Create New Title""Kindle eBook"
  2. Fill in Title, Subtitle, Author Name
  3. Write a compelling book description (tip: use bullet points and bold text)
  4. Select 7 keywords — these are crucial for Amazon search. Use keywords like your topic + "guide," "for beginners," "2026"
  5. Pick 2 categories that best match your book's topic
  6. Upload your EPUB file from eBookBazar
  7. Upload your cover image (minimum 1600x2560px, 300 DPI)

Step 4: Set Your Pricing

KDP has two royalty options:

  • 70% Royalty: Books priced $2.99–$9.99. You keep 70% of each sale.
  • 35% Royalty: Books priced $0.99–$2.98 or $10.00+. You keep 35%.

Recommended strategy for new publishers: Price at $2.99–$4.99 to maximize the 70% royalty tier while keeping the price impulse-buy friendly.

Step 5: Publish and Promote

Hit "Publish" — your book goes live in 24-72 hours. Then:

  • Share the Amazon link on social media and relevant Reddit communities
  • Run a free promotion in KDP Select for 5 days to get initial reviews
  • Consider creating an audiobook version with eBookBazar to list on Audible
  • Repeat the process weekly to build a portfolio — read our passive income strategy guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic topics: "A book about cooking" won't rank. Be hyper-specific.
  • Skipping editing: AI output is 80% there. Always proofread and add your voice.
  • Bad covers: Readers judge books by covers on Amazon. Invest in a professional design.
  • Ignoring keywords: Your 7 KDP keywords determine discovery. Research them carefully.

Ready to publish your first AI-powered book on Amazon? Start with eBookBazar for free — generate, export, and list on KDP in under an hour.