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Books guide

How to publish a book on Amazon, step by step

To publish a book on Amazon, you use Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): finish the manuscript, export an ebook file and a print PDF, prepare a cover, create the title in KDP with its metadata, choose an ISBN, upload and preview, then set the royalty and price and publish. KDP estimates about three business days for ordinary books, while low-content reviews may take 3–4 weeks. These are estimates, with timing varying by type and marketplace. Current royalty, disclosure and review guidance was rechecked on 11 October 2026, and shows which parts Gixo Folio handles — the manuscript and files — and which stay in your KDP account.

Estimated timing Ordinary books: about three business days; low-content reviews may take 3–4 weeks. Check the current Bookshelf status.
35% or 70% KDP ebook options; the US 70% price band is $2.99–$12.99, with territory and other eligibility conditions.
2,560 × 1,600 KDP's ideal ebook cover size in pixels, a 1.6:1 ratio.
6 × 9 in KDP's default paperback trim size.

Review the exact edition before its publishing handoff

A format list is the starting point. Inspect print and ebook controls, freeze the manuscript and settings, then review the actual artifact that will leave the workspace.

Choose the actual print and ebook controls

Set standard or custom trim, mirrored margins, bleed and page headers. Inspect measured figure warnings; the paperback wrap uses the rendered interior's page count.

PDF is RGB, not PDF/X. EPUB 3 is reflowable; fixed-layout spreads and automatic index/bibliography generation are not provided.

Freeze and inspect the proof

Save a frozen edition, inspect its PDF or ebook artifact, add proof notes and corrections, and reproof changed files. Editorial clearance stays with that edition.

Approval is your recorded decision for one artifact. Later manuscript or layout changes need a new proof.

Prepare the author handoff

Choose the reviewed file, confirm provenance and destination requirements, then download the author handoff package and upload it yourself.

Folio does not issue ISBNs, publish to retailers or certify acceptance. Translation and audio are separate workflows.

Start blank, import and manually edit your own book. Its downloads and proofs do not need an active Folio subscription. New AI planning, drafting and editorial assistance need eligible access; translation and narration use separate edition conditions. Existing book view, comment and edit permissions apply.

A table of contents page from a Gixo Folio print PDF
The table of contents of a Folio print PDF — the kind of interior file you upload to KDP for a paperback.
01Brief the book
02Shape the outline
03Draft chapters
04Review the manuscript
05Export the edition
Folio is a strong fit whenThe manuscript still needs structure, revision, and a finish line.

Use the persistent book workspace when the outcome is a real guide, authority book, training manual, client asset, or exportable edition.

Consider another tool whenYou only need one narrow part of the publishing job.

If your manuscript is already finished and you only need specialist formatting or a dedicated fiction system, a focused tool may be the simpler choice.

What you need before you open KDP

Having these ready turns the KDP setup into a single sitting.

Ebook file
DOCX, EPUB or KPF
KDP accepts DOC and DOCX, EPUB and KPF for ebooks, among others. MOBI is no longer accepted for fixed-layout ebooks since March 2025.
Print interior
A PDF at your trim
A paperback interior sized to a KDP trim such as 5 × 8, 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 7 × 10 or 8.5 × 11. Bleed of 0.125 inch is only for images that run to the edge.
Cover
Ebook cover and print wrap
An ebook cover ideally 2,560 × 1,600 pixels in JPEG or TIFF; a paperback needs a full cover sized to the page count.
Metadata
Title, description, keywords
Title and subtitle, author name, description, keywords and categories, written before you start the form.
ISBN
Free KDP ISBN or your own
KDP offers a free ISBN for paperback and hardcover; an ebook does not need one.
AI disclosure
Know what KDP asks
KDP asks about AI-created text, cover/interior images and translations, including substantially edited AI-created work. Author-created work only improved with AI is distinguished as assisted; rights and policy compliance remain yours.

How to publish a book on Amazon KDP in six steps

The order that avoids re-uploading files after a late fix.

1
Finish and proofread the manuscript
Complete the edits first. A structural change after formatting means re-exporting and re-uploading every file.
2
Export the ebook and paperback files
Export a reflowable EPUB (or DOCX) for the Kindle ebook and a print PDF at your chosen trim for the paperback. KDP's default trim is 6 × 9.
3
Prepare the cover
Create the ebook cover at about 2,560 × 1,600 pixels and, for print, a full wrap — back, spine and front — sized to the final page count.
4
Create the KDP title and enter the metadata
In your KDP bookshelf, create the ebook or paperback, then add the title, author, description, keywords and categories, and answer the AI-content question.
5
Choose an ISBN, upload the files and preview
Pick the free KDP ISBN or enter your own for print, upload the manuscript and cover, and page through both in KDP's previewer.
6
Set the royalty and price, then publish
Choose the 35% or 70% ebook royalty, set list prices and territories, and submit. KDP's timing is an estimate; ordinary books and low-content books have different review windows. Check your Bookshelf status.

Which KDP steps Gixo Folio handles

Folio prepares the book and its files; the KDP account and listing stay yours.

KDP stepGixo FolioYour KDP account
ManuscriptPlan, draft, revise and audit the bookNot a writing tool
Ebook fileExports EPUB 3 and DOCXAccepts EPUB, DOCX and KPF
Print interiorPrint PDF at 5 × 8, 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 7 × 10, US Letter and moreValidates the PDF against the trim and margins
CoverFront cover preparation and a separate paperback wrap derived from the rendered interiorNeeds the ebook cover and the full paperback wrap
ISBNValidates your ISBN and generates its barcodeIssues a free ISBN for paperback and hardcover
Listing, price and royaltiesNot part of FolioMetadata, pricing, royalties and publishing
Sources
Checked against KDP's own help pages

Royalty options, AI-content disclosure, review timing, print-file guidance and the author preview process were rechecked against official KDP pages on 11 October 2026. Other historical format details retain their earlier source context. Confirm the current rules and your actual files in KDP before submitting.

Royalties
How much Amazon pays

KDP offers 35% and 70% ebook options, each with list-price and eligibility requirements. The Amazon.com 70% price band is $2.99–$12.99 from 7 July 2026; territory and other conditions apply. Delivery costs and applicable taxes affect the calculation. Check the current title setup and pricing rules.

Paperback royalties use 50% or 60% according to marketplace and list price. On Amazon.com, $9.98 or less uses 50% and $9.99 or more uses 60%. Royalty equals the rate multiplied by the tax-exclusive list price, minus printing cost. For an illustrative $15 price and $4.60 printing cost at 60%, ($15 × 0.60) − $4.60 = $4.40. Eligible Expanded Distribution uses 40% before subtracting printing cost.

AI-written books on KDP
What the disclosure question means

KDP requires disclosure of AI-created text, cover/interior images and translations when publishing or editing and republishing a book. Substantial later edits do not turn AI-created content into author-created content. It distinguishes author-created work only improved or brainstormed with AI as assisted. You remain responsible for rights and policy compliance.

Describe the actual origin of each part of your book, including AI-created images or translations. KDP separately limits new-title creation and first submission per format each week; check the current account guidance before scheduling a release.

Print proof
Preflight is followed by KDP's own review

Inspect the actual interior and separate paperback wrap. Check trim versus bleed dimensions, embedded fonts, image resolution at printed size and matching book details. Folio's measured warnings are bounded checks, not a current-KDP acceptance certificate.

Upload the files to KDP, inspect its Print Previewer and fix reported issues. KDP later checks the interior and cover manually; an optional physical proof lets you inspect the printed copy before publication.

Where Folio fits
The manuscript and the files, not the account

Folio prepares downloadable book files; it does not publish them to a retailer, provide human copyediting, or guarantee publishing or commercial outcomes.

Folio validates an ISBN you already hold, converts between ISBN-10 and ISBN-13, and generates the barcode for your print cover. It does not issue ISBNs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I publish a book on Amazon?
Through Kindle Direct Publishing. Finish the manuscript, export an ebook file (EPUB or DOCX) and a print PDF, prepare the cover, create the title in KDP with its metadata, choose an ISBN, upload and preview, then set the royalty and price and publish.
How long does it take to publish a book on Amazon KDP?
KDP currently estimates about three business days for ordinary books, with timing varying by book type and marketplace. Low-content reviews may take 3–4 weeks, and search results can take additional time after a title is live. These are estimates; inspect your KDP Bookshelf for current status.
What file format does Amazon KDP accept?
For ebooks, KDP accepts DOC and DOCX, EPUB and KPF, among others; MOBI is no longer accepted for fixed-layout ebooks since March 2025. For paperbacks, upload a print-ready PDF sized to your trim.
Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon?
Not for a Kindle ebook, where an ISBN is optional. For a paperback or hardcover, KDP offers a free ISBN, which lists the imprint as Independently published, or you can use your own.
How much does Amazon pay authors on KDP?
KDP offers 35% and 70% ebook options; the current US 70% price band is $2.99–$12.99, with other eligibility, territory, delivery and tax conditions. Paperback standard distribution uses 50% or 60% by list price and marketplace; multiply the applicable rate by the tax-exclusive list price, then subtract printing cost. Eligible Expanded Distribution uses 40% before printing cost.
Do I have to disclose AI on Amazon KDP?
Yes, for AI-created text, cover/interior images or translations, including substantially edited AI-created work. KDP distinguishes author-created work only improved with AI as assisted. You remain responsible for rights and content-policy compliance.
What size should my book be for KDP?
KDP's default paperback trim is 6 × 9 inches; 5 × 8 and 5.5 × 8.5 are common for fiction and memoir. The trim sets the page count and the cover dimensions, so choose it before you format.
Does Gixo Folio upload my book to Amazon?
No. Folio prepares the manuscript and exports the EPUB, DOCX and print PDF you upload. The KDP account, ISBN choice, upload, listing and royalties stay with you. Folio can prepare a paperback wrap, but you inspect it against current KDP requirements.
Prepare the manuscript for KDP review
Plan, draft and audit the book in Folio, then export the EPUB and print PDF you upload to KDP.

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