How to Self-Publish on Amazon KDP with AI in 2026 (Step-by-Step)
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.
- Go to eBookBazar's Create page
- Enter a specific topic. Example: "A beginner's guide to indoor herb gardening for apartment dwellers with no outdoor space"
- Review the generated outline, tweak chapters if needed
- Hit Generate — your full manuscript will be ready in under 5 minutes
- 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:
- Visit kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account
- Complete your tax information (required for payouts)
- Add your bank details for royalty payments
- 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
- Click "Create New Title" → "Kindle eBook"
- Fill in Title, Subtitle, Author Name
- Write a compelling book description (tip: use bullet points and bold text)
- Select 7 keywords — these are crucial for Amazon search. Use keywords like your topic + "guide," "for beginners," "2026"
- Pick 2 categories that best match your book's topic
- Upload your EPUB file from eBookBazar
- 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.