What Is Amazon Self-Publishing? Pros, Cons & Key Insights

• Aug 28, 2024
• 4 min read

• Tags: Fiction, Non-fiction, Self-Publishing

Amazon self-publishing has revolutionized the publishing industry, empowering authors to take control of their literary works. Several popular writers like Amanda Hocking and Andy Weir have also pursued their love for writing through Amazon self-publishing! 

If you’re also wondering what is self-publishing on Amazon, you’ve come to the right place. By bypassing traditional publishing houses, writers can now independently publish, distribute, and market their books through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). 

In this guide, we’ll delve into the world of Amazon self-publishing, exploring its advantages and challenges so that you can make the right decision for your book.

What is Amazon self-publishing?

Amazon self-publishing, also called Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), is a platform that allows authors to independently publish and distribute their books directly to readers through Amazon. Unlike traditional publishing, where authors submit their manuscripts to publishing houses for consideration, self-publishing gives authors complete control over their work.

With KDP, authors can publish their books in both digital (e-book) and print formats. This means you can offer your book on Kindle devices and Kindle apps, or consider publishing in the physical paperback format. Amazon handles the printing, distribution, and sales of your physical books, while you retain the rights to your content.

Essentially, self-publishing on Amazon empowers authors to be their own publishers, enabling them to reach a global audience without the gatekeepers of the traditional publishing industry. The platform’s tagline, “Be your publisher,” aptly describes the journey of this growing breed of authors.

What is Amazon Kindle self-publishing?

Amazon Kindle Self-Publishing is specifically about creating, publishing, and marketing ebooks through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform. It’s a subset of Amazon self-publishing, focusing solely on the digital format. 

It was launched in 2007 to enable the self-publishing of ebooks with speed and scale and bring a more diverse voice to the world of ebooks. The platform was the first of its kind to enable self-publishing in a simple, cost-effective, and user-friendly manner. Authors could have their books displayed in Kindle bookstores, making their work accessible to audiences around the world.

Using Amazon Author Central, they could display their profiles and update them as their journey progressed. Their readers could easily find them and follow their journey. These features collectively encouraged aspiring authors to take the leap of faith and get their books published through this innovative mode. 

In 2016, the platform introduced the “Print” option. Today, you can also sell print copies of your book (paperbacks or hard copies). When you self-publish on Kindle, you retain full copyright ownership of your book. You also have complete control over the book’s pricing, formatting, and publishing schedule. KDP handles the distribution of your ebook to millions of Kindle devices and reading apps worldwide.

How much does Amazon self-publishing cost?

The best part about Amazon book’s self-publishing is that there are no upfront costs. You also do not need to have any pre-placed inventory orders to get started with the process.

Now, say you decide to offer print copies of your book. You may be wondering – how much do I need to pay for print copies?

The answer – nothing. 

Say a reader orders a print copy. Besides allowing you to upload your book and distribute your eBook to Kindle stores, Amazon’s self-publishing Kindle platform also allows you to print your book on demand. The platform then subtracts print costs from your royalties.

So, once again, you do not pay any upfront costs. The print costs are mentioned on the platform, and the process is transparent and cost-effective.  

How does Amazon self-publishing work for audiobooks?

Amazon offers two primary avenues for self-publishing audiobooks:

1. Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) by Audible Inc., an Amazon company:

• Narrator and production: You can hire a professional narrator or choose to narrate your book yourself. ACX connects authors with narrators, allowing you to negotiate payment terms (royalty share or pay per finished hour).
• Distribution: Once the audiobook is produced, you can distribute it through Audible, Amazon.com, and iTunes.
• Royalties: You earn royalties based on the chosen payment structure.   

2. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Audiobook Beta Program:

• AI narration: Amazon offers an AI-powered narration service for your book.
• Distribution: Your audiobook will be available on Amazon and Audible.
• Royalties: KDP handles the distribution and royalty payments. 

The KDP Audiobook Beta Program is a relatively new offering, and its availability and features might gradually evolve to include other options or services.

Both options provide authors with the opportunity to reach a wide audience through Amazon. Consider factors such as your budget, desired level of control, and the quality of narration you seek while choosing one for your book.

Amazon self-publishing tax information

Amazon requires all publishers to provide valid taxpayer identification to comply with tax regulations. The specific requirements depend on whether you’re a US or non-US person.

Key considerations:

• Taxpayer identification: You’ll need to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN) to Amazon.
• Withholding tax: Amazon may withhold a percentage of your earnings for tax purposes, especially if you’re a non-US resident.
• Income reporting: Your self-publishing income is generally considered self-employment income and should be reported on your tax return accordingly.
• Deductions: You might be able to deduct certain expenses related to your self-publishing business, such as editing, cover design, and marketing costs. However, it is best to check with a tax professional before committing to this endeavor. 
• Sales tax: If you sell physical books, you might be responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax based on your location and the sales tax laws of different jurisdictions.

We strongly recommend you to consult with a tax professional for personalized advice based on your specific circumstances.

Pros of self-publishing on Amazon

There are several advantages to self-publishing a book on Amazon, as follows:

1. Skip the pitching process

You can altogether skip the stressful process of pitching your book to multiple publishers. The platform has democratized publishing by making it an even playing field for all. Thus, anyone has the potential to become a successful author.  

2. Complete autonomy

You have complete autonomy over the messaging, content, and marketing of your book. There is no editor or publisher discouraging you from getting your voice out there or demanding that you keep making changes. You can get your book published without diluting its message and impact. 

3. Cost advantage

Self-publishing with Amazon is a great way to generate revenue from your writing and expertise. You can earn up to 70% royalties every time a book is sold, unlike traditional publishing, where authors earn lower royalties. Once your book is up, your earnings are transferred to you every month. You can also publish your book for free. 

4. Streamlined self-publishing process

The entire process of creating the book, publishing, and marketing is simple and streamlined on the platform. There are lots of free tools, such as the cover creator, to help you bring out a well-designed and presented book. You can use the platform’s free formatting tool to format every page as per your requirements.

For instance, you can leverage Amazon Author Central to create your Author Page with the latest information about your books and author journey. 

5. Massive reach

Amazon’s reach is massive, and your book gets access to a worldwide audience spanning multiple platforms and countries. For instance, you can take advantage of Amazon advertising’s extensive outreach and create customized ads, invite readers to post reviews, and access cost-effective print-on-demand services.  

Cons of self-publishing on Amazon

The following are the disadvantages, when it comes to self-publishing on the Amazon platform: 

1. Lack of editing support

One of the top disadvantages is that you do not have access to any editing or proofreading services. Thus, you need to play this role yourself.

However, your book can hire a professional editing and proofreading company to perfect your book. They can make sure that it is free from errors, has uniform language, and is punctuated properly. 

2. No ghostwriting opportunities

Amazon does not provide any professional ghostwriting services. So, if you do not have the professional writing skills to pen a book end-to-end, you’ll have to find and hire a ghostwriter. 

3. Amazon owns the rights for 90 days

Even though you have self-published, Amazon owns the rights to your book for 90 days. If you shift to another publisher after this time frame, then you lose all the book reviews published on Amazon. 

If you’ve been thinking of publishing a book for some time, there is no better time than now to present it to the world. Amazon self-publishing is an ideal platform to create, publish, and market your book, as the entire process is seamless and free of cost.

You can also consider leveraging a platform like PaperTrue, which offers end-to-end self-publishing services, which include pre-publication author services, printing, and distribution. You can have your book polished, published, printed, and distributed worldwide! 

Here are some other resources you might find useful: 

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Rashmi

Rashmi is a versatile writer with a passion for developing engaging long-form content. With a keen interest in both academic and business spheres, she enjoys creating comprehensive content pieces that readers find informative and interesting. She endeavors to exercise her intellectual curiosity, explore new perspectives, and consider different possibilities through her writing.