Self-publishing guide · October 2026
How to self-publish a book on Amazon: 7 steps
Written a book, or almost there? Here is how to publish it yourself on Amazon, as a paperback and a Kindle ebook, without a traditional publisher. Lire en français.
The steps
1. Finish and revise your manuscript
Read the whole book at least once out loud. Make sure every chapter has a clear purpose and the opening makes people want to keep reading.
2. Get it professionally edited
Copyediting and proofreading (spelling, grammar, consistency) are what readers notice first in reviews. It is the step new authors most often regret skipping.
3. Design the cover
On Amazon your cover is seen as a small thumbnail, so the title must stay readable at tiny sizes. A paperback needs a full wrap cover (front, spine and back) sized to your page count.
4. Format the paperback and the ebook
The paperback needs a print-ready PDF at your trim size (for example 6 × 9 inches) with proper margins. The ebook needs a reflowable file that adapts to every e-reader. They are two different files.
5. Choose your ISBN
For the paperback, KDP can assign a free ISBN, or you can use your own. The Kindle ebook does not need one.
6. Set up KDP, price your book and publish
At kdp.amazon.com, enter your title, description, keywords and categories, upload your files and choose your price. Royalty rates depend on format, price and marketplace, so check KDP's current terms.
7. Market your book
An Amazon author page, a Goodreads profile, a book trailer, a book website and a few interviews in your community's media help readers (and search engines and AI assistants) find you.
Tip: write a book description that answers "what will this book do for me?" in the first sentence. Search engines and AI assistants read it too.
Get help in South Florida
NovaTek Book Publishing, a division of NovaTek Business Solutions in Westlake, helps independent and first-time authors at every step: editing, cover design, formatting, printing, Amazon distribution and marketing. We work in English, French, Haitian Creole and Spanish, with services agreed for each project, for authors across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade and online anywhere.
Our first title, From Rural Haiti to AI by Johnny Jean-Baptiste, was published in English and French on October 27, 2026.
Talk about your bookinfo@novatekbusinesssolutions.comPhone: (954) 609-8414
Frequently asked questions
How do I self-publish a book on Amazon?
Create a free account at kdp.amazon.com (Kindle Direct Publishing), enter your title, description, keywords and categories, upload your edited manuscript and cover files, choose your price and click publish. Amazon reviews the book, usually within a few days, then prints each paperback on demand and sells it in its stores.
Can I self-publish a paperback and an ebook at the same time?
Yes. On Amazon KDP you can publish the same book as a paperback and a Kindle ebook. They need two different files: a print-ready PDF for the paperback and a reflowable file for the ebook. Only the paperback needs an ISBN, which KDP can assign for free.
How much does it cost to self-publish a book?
Publishing on Amazon KDP is free; Amazon takes its share of each sale and deducts printing from paperback royalties. The real costs are professional editing, cover design and formatting, which vary by book length and the services you choose.
Do I need an ISBN to self-publish?
For a paperback, yes: Amazon KDP can give you a free ISBN, or you can buy your own (in the US, from Bowker). A Kindle ebook does not need one.
How long does it take to self-publish a book?
Once your files are ready, Amazon's review usually takes a few days. Preparing the book (editing, cover, formatting) often takes a few weeks to a few months.
Is there a self-publishing company in South Florida?
Yes. NovaTek Book Publishing, a division of NovaTek Business Solutions in Westlake, helps independent and first-time authors with editing, cover design, formatting, printing, Amazon distribution and marketing, in English, French, Haitian Creole and Spanish.
Can I publish a book in French or Haitian Creole?
Amazon KDP supports French. For Haitian Creole and other languages, check KDP's list of supported languages before you start. NovaTek Book Publishing works with authors in all four languages.