How to Publish a Book on Amazon for Free: Keywords, Pricing, Royalties, Publishing Time and More

You’ve done the hard work. You’ve written your manuscript, formatted it, created your cover, uploaded your files, and prepared your Amazon book description. But there’s one problem.

Your book can be perfectly published and still struggle to get discovered. Why?

Because publishing and getting found are two different things.

Amazon has millions of books. Your book needs to be placed in front of the right readers, at the right price, with the right information. That’s why the next steps matter.

In this section, I’ll show you how to choose Amazon keywords, price your book, understand royalties, know how long publication takes, avoid common beginner mistakes, and publish from outside the United States.

Before we start you may need to check How to Publish a Book on Amazon KDP For Free: Format, Upload, Keywords & Description Guide (2026)

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How Amazon Keywords Work

Let’s start with one of the most misunderstood parts of KDP.

Keywords help Amazon understand what your book is about and what kinds of searches may be relevant to it.

Think about what happens when a reader goes to Amazon.

They might type:

Christian prayer book

Or:

personal finance for beginners

Or:

how to start a small business

Or:

daily devotional for women

The words they type are search terms.

Your job as an author is to understand how your ideal reader searches and use relevant phrases when setting up your book.

Amazon currently allows KDP authors to enter up to seven keywords or keyword phrases during book setup. Amazon recommends using words or short phrases that accurately describe the book and reflect what readers are likely to search for.

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Keywords Are Not Just Random Words

This is where beginners often make a mistake.

Suppose your book is:

Personal Finance for Beginners

You might think your keywords should be:

• money
• finance
• saving
• debt
• budget
• investing
• retirement

Those aren’t necessarily bad words.

But they are very broad.

Instead, think about phrases a real person might type into Amazon.

For example:

• personal finance for beginners
• how to manage money
• budgeting for beginners
• money management for beginners
• how to save money
• beginner investing guide
• financial planning for beginners

Notice that these phrases communicate search intent much better.

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Step-by-Step: How to Choose Your KDP Keywords

Step 1: Identify Your Ideal Reader

Before researching keywords, ask:

Who is this book for?

Suppose you wrote:

A Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Small Business

Your ideal reader might be:

• First-time entrepreneurs
• Aspiring business owners
• People with business ideas
• New entrepreneurs
• People starting businesses from home

Now ask:

What would this person type into Amazon?

That’s where your keyword research begins.

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Step 2: Search Amazon Yourself

Go to Amazon and start typing a phrase related to your book.

For example:

small business

Amazon may show suggestions such as:

• small business ideas
• small business management
• small business for beginners
• small business accounting
• small business marketing

These suggestions can reveal how people are actually searching.

Don’t blindly copy every suggestion.

Ask:

Does this search phrase accurately describe my book?

If yes, consider it.

If no, move on.

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Step 3: Look at Competing Books

Search Amazon for your primary topic.

Open several books that are similar to yours.

Study:

• Their titles
• Subtitles
• Categories
• Descriptions
• Topics
• Reader language

You’re not copying their keywords.

You’re trying to understand how the market talks about the subject.

For example, if successful books repeatedly use phrases such as:

money management

budgeting for beginners

financial freedom

that tells you something about the language readers may recognize.

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Step 4: Use Long-Tail Keywords

A long-tail keyword is usually a more specific search phrase.

Compare:

budget

with:

how to create a monthly budget

The second phrase is more specific.

Another example:

prayer

versus:

powerful morning prayers for protection

The second tells you much more about the reader’s intent.

For many beginner authors, specific phrases can be more useful than trying to target extremely broad terms.

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Step 5: Don’t Stuff Keywords

Don’t enter irrelevant keywords simply because you think they might bring traffic.

For example, if you wrote a Christian devotional, don’t use:

romance novel

just because it has lots of searches.

That’s misleading.

Your keywords should accurately describe your book.

Amazon explicitly advises authors to use relevant keywords and avoid misleading or inaccurate information.

Your objective isn’t:

Get the most searches possible.

Your objective is:

Get discovered by the right readers.

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How Many Keywords Should You Use?

KDP gives you seven keyword fields.

Don’t leave them empty.

Use the available fields strategically.

For example, a book called:

How to Build a Website for Your Small Business

might consider phrases such as:

1. small business website
2. website design for beginners
3. build a business website
4. website for small business
5. online presence for business
6. business website guide
7. website development for beginners

Again, only use phrases that genuinely describe your book.

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A Very Important SEO Lesson

Don’t obsess over repeating the exact keyword everywhere.

Instead, create a complete topical picture.

If your book is about personal finance, naturally cover related concepts such as:

• budgeting
• saving
• debt
• emergency funds
• investing
• financial goals
• retirement
• money management

This gives Amazon and readers a much clearer understanding of the book.

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How to Price Your Kindle eBook

Now let’s talk about money.

This is where many new authors become nervous.

They ask:

“How much should I charge?”

There isn’t one universal answer.

Your price should depend on:

• Genre
• Book length
• Audience
• Author brand
• Competition
• Book quality
• Reader expectations
• Format
• Market

A 40-page devotional shouldn’t necessarily be priced like a 400-page business book.

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Don’t Choose Your Price Based on Your Effort

This is an important lesson.

You might have spent six months writing your book.

That doesn’t automatically mean you should charge $25.

Readers don’t know how long it took you.

They’re comparing your book with alternatives.

Instead, think:

What does my target reader expect to pay for a book like this?

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Step-by-Step: How to Choose Your eBook Price

Step 1: Search Similar Books

Go to Amazon.

Search your book’s topic.

For example:

Christian spiritual warfare prayers

Look at comparable books.

Record their:

• Prices
• Page counts
• Reviews
• Covers
• Descriptions
• Author reputation

You are trying to understand the market.

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Step 2: Look at Your Author Position

If you’re a brand-new author with no reviews, don’t automatically price your book like a bestselling author.

You don’t have the same level of trust yet.

A new author may benefit from making the first purchase easier.

As your author platform grows, your pricing strategy can evolve.

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What About the 70% and 35% eBook Royalty Options?

KDP currently offers two primary eBook royalty plans:

35%

and

70%

The 70% option has eligibility requirements and isn’t available for every situation or marketplace. Under the 70% option, Amazon also deducts applicable delivery costs from the royalty calculation.

So don’t assume:

“I will always receive exactly 70% of my list price.”

You need to look at the specific royalty calculation displayed in KDP.

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Suppose your eBook is priced at:

$4.99

If your book qualifies for the 70% royalty option, the basic royalty calculation starts from the list price, subject to the applicable rules and delivery costs.

The actual amount you receive can therefore be lower than simply multiplying:

$4.99 × 70%

The important lesson is:

Look at the estimated royalty KDP displays before you publish.

Don’t guess.

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How to Price Your Paperback

Paperback pricing works differently.

You need to consider the cost of printing.

Amazon calculates printing costs based on factors such as:

• Marketplace
• Trim size
• Page count
• Ink type
• Binding

Your royalty is then calculated based on the applicable royalty rate and printing cost. Amazon provides current printing-cost and royalty information in its KDP help resources.

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The Basic Paperback Royalty Formula

A simplified way to understand it is:

Royalty = Royalty Rate × List Price − Printing Cost

So suppose your paperback sells for:

$14.99

You don’t simply receive a percentage of $14.99.

The printing cost must also be taken into account.

This is why you should use KDP’s pricing calculator and the estimated royalty shown during setup.

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Don’t Price Your Paperback Too Low

This is a common mistake.

An author might think:

“I’ll make the book $5.99 so more people will buy it.”

But what happens if the printing cost consumes most of the revenue?

You could end up making very little from every sale.

Your price should leave room for:

• Printing
• Amazon’s applicable royalty structure
• Your desired earnings
• Customer expectations
• Market competition

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Don’t Price It Too High Either

The opposite mistake is also common.

A brand-new author publishes a 70-page book for:

$29.99

Then wonders why nobody is buying it.

Your price must make sense compared with what the reader receives.

Think about:

Length + quality + topic + competition + author authority + reader value

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A Better Way to Think About Pricing

Instead of asking:

“What is the highest price I can charge?”

Ask:

“What price makes it easy for my ideal reader to say yes while still giving me a reasonable return?”

That’s a much healthier starting point.

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How Amazon Book Royalties Work

Now let’s clear up another misconception.

Royalty is not the same thing as profit.

If Amazon tells you that your royalty is $3 per sale, that doesn’t necessarily mean $3 is your final business profit.

You may have spent money on:

• Editing
• Cover design
• Formatting
• Advertising
• Writing
• Website development
• Marketing

Your royalty is the amount calculated under Amazon’s publishing terms.

Your profit is what remains after considering your other business expenses.

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When Does Amazon Pay Royalties?

Don’t expect to publish your book today and receive money tomorrow.

KDP royalties are generally paid approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale was reported, subject to applicable conditions and payment thresholds. Amazon’s current KDP payment guidance explains the payment schedule and country-specific payment methods.

For example, if qualifying royalties are earned from sales in January, the payment would generally be made around the end of March, subject to the applicable payment requirements.

So don’t build your personal budget around receiving Amazon royalties immediately.

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How Long Does Amazon Take to Publish Your Book?

This is one of the questions almost every new author asks.

“I uploaded my book. When will it be live?”

The answer depends on the format and review process.

Amazon reviews books before making them available.

KDP’s current guidance says books can take up to 10 business days to go live after submission, while updates to existing books can take different amounts of time depending on the type of change.

So don’t publish your book the night before a major event and assume it will definitely be available the next morning.

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How Long Does a New eBook Take?

A new Kindle eBook generally goes through a review process before becoming available.

You may see your book move through statuses such as:

In Review

→

Publishing

→

Live

The exact timing can vary.

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How Long Does a Paperback Take?

Paperback books also go through review.

After approval, Amazon needs to make the book available in the relevant marketplaces.

Don’t panic if your book isn’t immediately visible everywhere.

Different marketplaces and formats can update at different times.

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What If Amazon Rejects Your Book?

Don’t immediately assume your publishing career is over.

Amazon may flag issues involving:

• Formatting
• Content
• Metadata
• Cover
• Copyright
• Quality
• Publishing rights
• Other KDP requirements

Read the message carefully.

Fix the problem.

Then follow Amazon’s instructions for resubmission or appeal where applicable.

Don’t create another account to try to bypass a restriction.

That can create much bigger problems.

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Common Mistakes First-Time Authors Make

Now let’s talk about mistakes.

Because avoiding mistakes can save you more time than learning another publishing trick.

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Mistake #1: Publishing an Unedited Manuscript

You wrote it.

You read it.

You think it’s perfect.

Then a reader finds 17 spelling mistakes in the first three chapters.

Don’t do this.

Edit.

Proofread.

Then get someone else to read it if possible.

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Mistake #2: Using a Poor Cover

You may have written a brilliant book.

But if the cover looks amateurish, readers may assume the content is amateurish too.

Your cover doesn’t need to be expensive.

It needs to look professional and appropriate for its category.

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Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Categories

Don’t choose categories simply because you think they’re easier to rank in.

Relevance matters.

The right reader needs to find your book.

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Mistake #4: Stuffing Keywords

Some authors put every possible search term into their keyword fields.

This can make the metadata inaccurate.

Use relevant phrases.

Think like your reader.

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Mistake #5: Writing a Terrible Description

A description that says:

“This book contains 10 chapters about personal finance.”

is not a sales page.

Tell the reader:

What problem does this book solve?

What will they learn?

Who is it for?

Why should they care?

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Mistake #6: Making the Book Too Cheap

Some authors think:

“If I make it $0.99, everyone will buy it.”

Price isn’t the only factor.

A poor cover, weak description, bad reviews, or an unclear target audience can still prevent sales.

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Mistake #7: Making the Book Too Expensive

The opposite is also true.

Your price needs to make sense for the book.

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Mistake #8: Not Previewing the Book

This is one of the easiest mistakes to prevent.

Always use the KDP previewer.

Look through the actual pages.

Don’t assume your Word document will look exactly the same after conversion.

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Mistake #9: Uploading the Wrong File

Don’t accidentally upload:

• An unfinished manuscript
• An old version
• A manuscript with comments
• A file containing placeholder text
• The wrong cover
• A draft with spelling errors

Create a final publishing folder and carefully verify the files before uploading.

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Mistake #10: Publishing Without a Marketing Plan

Here’s a hard truth:

Publishing your book does not automatically mean people will buy it.

Amazon gives you a marketplace.

It doesn’t guarantee an audience.

Before publishing, think about how you’ll reach readers through:

• Your website
• Email
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Pinterest
• Podcasts
• Speaking engagements
• Your church or ministry network
• Professional networks
• Amazon Ads where appropriate

Your book needs visibility.

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Mistake #11: Expecting Overnight Success

You publish today.

Tomorrow:

3 sales.

Next day:

500 sales.

That’s the dream.

But that’s not how publishing normally works.

Some books take time to gain traction.

You may need to improve:

• Cover
• Title
• Description
• Keywords
• Categories
• Price
• Marketing
• Reviews
• Author platform

Publishing is not the end.

It’s the beginning of your book’s journey.

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How to Publish a Book on Amazon From Outside the United States

Now let’s address an important question for international authors.

Do you have to live in America to publish on Amazon?

No.

KDP is designed for authors and publishers in many countries around the world.

You can publish from outside the United States.

You don’t need to pretend to be American.

You don’t need to invent a U.S. address.

And you shouldn’t provide false information simply because you want to sell to American readers.

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Can a Nigerian Author Publish on Amazon?

Yes.

For example, if you’re a Nigerian author, you can create a KDP account using your legitimate information and publish books for readers around the world.

Your target market can be:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• Nigeria
• Other supported markets

You don’t have to live in the country where your largest audience is located.

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Step-by-Step: Publishing From Nigeria

If you’re in Nigeria, the basic process remains:

Step 1: Create your KDP account.

Step 2: Enter your legal account information.

Step 3: Provide your Nigerian address.

Step 4: Complete your tax profile accurately.

Step 5: Add an eligible payment method supported for your country.

Step 6: Upload your book.

Step 7: Select the marketplaces and rights applicable to your book.

Step 8: Set your price.

Step 9: Preview the book.

Step 10: Publish.

The exact payment and tax requirements can change, so always follow the current information displayed in your KDP account.

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Do You Need a U.S. Bank Account?

No, not simply because you want to sell to U.S. readers.

KDP provides payment methods depending on the country and account circumstances.

Amazon’s current payment documentation lists payment methods such as direct deposit, wire transfer, and check depending on location and eligibility.

The important thing is to provide your real banking information and follow the payment instructions available for your country.

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Do You Need a U.S. Address?

No.

Use your legitimate address.

If you’re in Nigeria, provide your Nigerian address where KDP asks for your address.

Don’t use a random American address because you think it will make your book perform better.

It won’t.

And inaccurate account information can create verification and payment problems.

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What About U.S. Readers?

This is where international authors sometimes misunderstand Amazon.

You can be physically located in:

Lagos, Nigeria

while your primary audience is:

New York, California, Texas, Florida, or other U.S. locations.

Your physical location doesn’t prevent you from writing for a U.S. audience.

You simply need to understand your target reader.

For example, if you’re writing:

Personal Finance for Americans

you need to understand things such as:

• U.S. dollars
• U.S. banking terminology
• U.S. credit systems
• U.S. retirement concepts
• U.S. tax terminology
• U.S. financial products

Don’t write for Americans by simply changing ₦ to $.

Research the actual market.

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What About Taxes?

This part deserves serious attention.

If you live outside the United States and sell through Amazon’s U.S. marketplace, your tax situation may involve U.S. withholding rules as well as the tax laws of your own country.

KDP requires authors to complete a tax profile and uses the information provided to determine applicable tax documentation and withholding.

If your situation is complicated, speak with a qualified tax professional who understands international income.

Don’t rely on random social media comments for tax advice.

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Can You Publish in Dollars From Nigeria?

Your book can be sold through Amazon marketplaces where KDP makes it available, and the displayed currency can vary by marketplace.

For U.S. readers, your book may be displayed in U.S. dollars.

You don’t need to physically live in the United States to have your book sold to U.S. customers.

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Should You Target the U.S. Market?

If your subject is relevant to American readers and you understand their needs, the U.S. market can be an important opportunity.

But don’t choose America simply because you heard:

“Americans have money.”

That’s not enough.

You need:

A real problem + a defined audience + a useful solution + strong positioning.

For example:

Instead of:

“How to Manage Money”

you might create:

“Personal Finance for Beginners: A Practical Guide to Budgeting, Saving, Debt and Building Your Financial Future”

Now your audience and promise are much clearer.

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Your Complete KDP Checklist

Before you finally click Publish, run through this checklist.

Manuscript

• Book is complete
• Book is edited
• Book is proofread
• Interior is correctly formatted
• Correct trim size selected
• Margins checked
• Images checked
• Table of contents checked
• Page numbers checked
• Final file uploaded

Cover

• Title is correct
• Author name is correct
• Cover matches genre
• Cover is readable as a thumbnail
• Dimensions are correct
• Spine is correct where applicable
• No spelling errors

Metadata

• Title
• Subtitle
• Author
• Description
• Seven keyword fields
• Relevant categories
• Publishing rights
• ISBN information where applicable

Pricing

• eBook price selected
• Paperback price selected
• Royalty estimate reviewed
• Printing cost considered
• Competitor pricing researched

Account

• Legal information correct
• Address correct
• Banking information correct
• Tax profile complete
• Two-step verification enabled

Final review

• KDP Previewer checked
• No formatting problems
• No missing pages
• No incorrect information
• Description proofread
• Cover proofread
• Price checked

Only then should you submit the book.

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The Most Important Thing to Remember

Don’t let the technical side of publishing discourage you.

You don’t need to know everything before you begin.

You simply need to understand the process and work through it one step at a time.

Think of publishing your first book like learning to drive.

At first, there are many things to remember:

Steering.

Brakes.

Mirrors.

Signals.

Gears.

But after you’ve practiced, the process becomes much more natural.

KDP is similar.

Your first book may take longer.

Your second book will probably feel easier.

By your third or fourth book, you’ll understand the workflow much better.

But remember this:

Getting published is not the finish line.

It’s the starting line.

Your real goal should be to create a book that readers want, package it professionally, make it discoverable, and build an author platform that continues working long after your first book is published.

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From Manuscript to Published Author

Maybe right now you have nothing more than an idea.

Maybe you have 50 pages sitting in Microsoft Word.

Maybe you have 30 sermon outlines.

Maybe you have years of teaching notes.

Maybe you already finished the manuscript but don’t know what to do next.

Whatever stage you’re at, don’t let uncertainty stop you.

Your knowledge can become a book.

Your experience can become a resource.

Your message can reach people beyond the room where you originally shared it.

And if you have the message but need help turning it into a professional book, you don’t have to do everything alone. Contact us Now.

You can get professional assistance with:

• Book writing and development
• Turning sermon outlines into books
• Editing and proofreading
• Book formatting
• Professional book cover design
• Amazon KDP publishing
• Author website design
• Book sales pages
• Publishing strategy

If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, coach, consultant, entrepreneur, or aspiring author with valuable material that deserves to become a book, don’t leave your ideas trapped in notebooks, sermon files, or computer folders.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amazon KDP really free?

Yes. Amazon does not charge an upfront fee to publish through KDP. However, professional services such as editing, formatting, cover design, and marketing can cost money. Print books also have printing costs deducted when royalties are calculated.

How much does it cost to publish a book on Amazon?

You can publish yourself with no upfront KDP publishing fee. Your optional costs may include editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, advertising, and other professional services.

How many keywords can I use on Amazon KDP?

KDP currently provides seven keyword fields for each book. Use relevant search phrases rather than unrelated high-volume terms.

Do I need an ISBN?

A Kindle eBook does not require an ISBN. Eligible paperback and hardcover books can use a free KDP ISBN or your own ISBN.

Can I publish on Amazon if I live outside America?

Yes. KDP supports authors in many countries. You should provide accurate personal, banking, and tax information for your actual country of residence.

Can a Nigerian publish a book for Americans?

Yes. You can live in Nigeria and target U.S. readers. However, your content should genuinely address the needs, terminology, expectations, and context of your American target audience.

How long does Amazon take to publish a book?

Amazon reviews books before making them available. KDP states that books can take up to 10 business days to go live, although timing can vary by format and circumstances.

Does Amazon print my paperback for me?

For eligible print-on-demand books, Amazon prints copies when customers order them, so you don’t have to purchase a large inventory in advance.

Can I publish my book myself without a traditional publisher?

Yes. KDP is specifically designed to allow authors and publishers to self-publish directly.

Is publishing the book enough to make money?

No. Publishing makes the book available for sale, but it doesn’t guarantee sales. Successful authors generally combine a quality book with discoverability, marketing, reader targeting, and an author platform.

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Your Next Step

You now know almost the entire beginner publishing process:

Write → Edit → Format → Design → Create KDP Account → Upload → Choose Keywords → Choose Categories → Write Description → Set Price → Preview → Publish → Promote

The technical process is no longer a mystery.

Now comes the part many authors overlook:

How do you actually get people to discover and buy your book after it is published?

Because there is a huge difference between:

“I published a book on Amazon.”

and

“People are finding, reading, reviewing, and buying my book.”

That’s where your Amazon book marketing, author platform, website, email list, social media strategy, Amazon SEO, reviews, and promotional strategy come in.

Your book deserves more than simply being uploaded.

It deserves to be discovered.