The Complete Guide to Publishing on Amazon Kindle (Amazon KDP) for Authors

It's time for your book to see the global light.

Are you an Arab author dreaming of seeing your book available to millions of readers around the world? Do you feel overwhelmed by the technical complexities and complicated requirements of traditional publishers?

The truth: Publishing your book has never been this easy. The platformAmazon Kindle (Amazon KDP)has opened the door for thousands of Arab authors to publish professionally without intermediaries, while retaining100% of their intellectual rights, and achievingreal incomefrom their books.

In this comprehensive guide, we will take you on a step-by-step journey through everything you need to know to successfully and professionally publish your book onAmazon KDP, starting from preparing files to marketing strategies that will multiply your sales.

What is Amazon Kindle (Amazon KDP)?

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)is an electronic publishing platform owned by Amazon that allows authors to publish their eBooks and print books directly, without the need for a traditional publishing house.

The platform offers:

• Access to 300+ million potential customers (according to the latest statistics for 2024)80% of the global eBook market

• Profit rates of up to 70%

• of the sale priceInstant global distribution

• in over 200 countriesIn simple words:

Amazon KDP = A professional publishing platform with global reach, direct profits, and full rights for you.Amazon KDP = منصة نشر احترافية مع وصول عالمي وأرباح مباشرة وحقوق كاملة لك.

The main benefits of publishing on Amazon KDP

1️⃣100% rights to you - no middleman

Unlike traditional publishers, you retain100% ownershipof your book. Amazon does not take ownership rights, only a commission from sales.

2️⃣Instant global access

Your book will be available to millions of readers in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle Easton the same dayyou publish it.

3️⃣Real earnings without a single sale

Once your book is published, passive income begins. Every reader who buys your copy = money entering your accountfor life.

4️⃣Full control over pricing and data

You decide the book price, keywords, description, and categories.No limits imposed on you.

5️⃣Unmatched publishing speed

From file upload to book appearing online:just 24 hours(instead of 3-6 months with traditional publishers).

Technical and administrative requirements

Steps to publish your book on Amazon Kindle in five simple stages

First: File Requirements

File format

• ✅ Recommended: DOCX (Word file)

• ✅ Accepted: PDF, EPUB, MOBI

• ❌ Not accepted: PNG/JPG images only

Golden tip: Use DOCX with professional formatting according to Amazon standards.

File size

• Maximum: 650 MB

• Ideal word count: 20,000 - 100,000 words (for novels)

• Minimum: There is no minimum (even short stories are acceptable)

Basic file structure

text
- Cover (Cover - optional in the e-version)
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Main content
- Author Bio
- Back page

Second: Book Cover Requirements (Cover Image)

Technical specifications

Cover design standards

• The cover isthe first impression- it sells the book or hinders it

• It should beclear even at a small size(because most people see it on their phone)

• Useattractive colors and easy-to-read fonts

• Avoidcomplex textsand very fine details

Third: Metadata

Metadata is your book's information that helps Amazon and book readers tounderstand and findyour book.

Title and subtitle

• Title: Maximum 200 characters

• Subtitle: Optional, clarifies the content of the book

• Example:

  • Title: "Love Among the Waves"

  • Subtitle: "A dramatic novel exploring love and sacrifice"

Description (Book Description)

• Ideal length:100-300 words

• It should beengaging and a summary of the storywithout revealing the ending

• Start withan intriguing questionora fascinating fact

• Conclude witha call to readFor example: "Will you dare to read the full story?"

Practical steps to publish your book on Amazon KDP

Step 1: Create an Amazon KDP account

1. Go tokdp.amazon.com

2. Click on"Sign in"Then"Create your Amazon account"

3. Enter your email and password

4. Check your email

5. Fill in personal information:

   • Full name

   • Address (even if you are publishing from Saudi Arabia)

   • Phone number

⚠️ Important note: If you are from Saudi Arabia or the Gulf, you will need aW-8BEN form(to avoid U.S. taxes). Amazon will ask you for it before your first payment.

Step 2: Prepare your book files

Prepare the content file:

1. Professional formatting:

   • Clear fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)

   • Font size: 11-12 points

   • Regular spacing between paragraphs

   • Page numbering

2. Comprehensive language check:

   • Spelling check

   • Review grammatical rules

   • Ensure consistency in style

3. Remove excess formatting:

   • Do not use complex images

   • Avoid complex tables

   • Simplify formatting as much as possible

Preparing the cover file:

• Usea professional designer(or tools like Canva)

• Make sure thatthe text is readableeven at a small size

• Save inhigh-resolution JPEG format

Step 3: Enter your book details on KDP

1. From the KDP dashboard, click"Create a new Kindle eBook"

2. Fill in the book information:

Title and author:

• Full book name

• Your name as the author (or a pen name if you prefer)

Category:

• Choosetwo of the most relevant categoriesrelated to your book

• Example: "Science Fiction" or "Romance Novels"

Keywords:

• Choose 7 keywordsthat describe your book

• Example for a romance book: "Arab Love", "Dramatic Novel", "Contemporary Arabic Literature", etc.

Step 4: Choose the book price and distribution

Price models on KDP:

Smart strategy: Choose$2.99 - $5.99to get70% of the royaltieswith a reasonable price for readers.

Distribution options:

• ✅ Amazon KDP Select(Exclusive): the book is only on Amazon, but you get additional benefits

• ✅ KDP Print(If you also want a printed copy)

• ❌ No selection: We publish on other platforms in parallel

Step 5: Publish and Follow Up

1. Final Review: Check everything before clicking "Publish"

2. Publish: Click"Publish Your Kindle eBook"

3. Wait: Your book will appear on Amazon inabout 24 hours

4. Follow Up: Monitor your sales from"Sales Dashboard"

Steps to publish your book on Amazon Kindle in five simple stages

Effective Strategies to Increase Your Book Sales

1️⃣Choose the Right Keywords

Keywords arethe golden keyto getting your book to appear in Amazon search results.

How to Choose Keywords:

• Look for similar books on Amazon

• Check thewords in their titles

• Use tools like"KDP Rocket"or"Publisher Rocket"to analyze keywords

• Choose wordswith high demand and low competition

Example:

• ❌ General word: "Love" (very high competition)

• ✅ Specific word: "Contemporary Arabic Love Novel" (good demand, low competition)

2️⃣Write an Engaging Description that Sells the Book

The description is not just a summary -it’s a sales tool.

Effective Description Formula:

• The Exciting Start: A question or a sentence that piques curiosity

• The main problem: What challenge does the hero face?

• The solution: How will the story help him?

• The conclusion: A call to read

Example:

"Can love grow in a land of conflict and chaos? Follow the story of Leila and Ahmed through their thrilling journey in the heart of the desert, where they discover that true love may be stronger than any wall that separates them... Read now and explore the surprising ending."

3️⃣Focus on customer reviews (Reviews)

Reviews =Trust and credibility. A book with 100 five-star reviews = a very powerful selling tool.

How to get reviews:

• Ask your early readers (friends and family) to review the book

• UseGoodreads(a book review site) to attract additional readers

• Post excerpts on social media and ask for reviews

• Bekind and respectfulin your request (don’t pressure anyone)

4️⃣Use social media for promotion

Free marketing strategies:

• Instagram: Post excerpts from your book with beautiful images

• TikTok: Short videos about the book's idea or the background of its writing

• Facebook: Groups for Arab readers and authors

• Pinterest: Book cover images with links to Amazon

5️⃣Enhance your Author Central page

Amazon Author Central= Your personal page that introduces you to customers.

• Uploada professional photoof yourself

• WriteA brief about your biography(100-150 words)

• AddSocial media links

• Link all your books together

Start your publishing and profit journey with Zart Publishing - access to millions of readers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can an Arabic book be published on Amazon KDP?

Answer: Yes, absolutely! Amazon KDP fully supports Arabic languages. Just make sure your file is in the correct format and that the Arabic text appears correctly.

Q2: How long will the publishing process take from start to finish?

Answer:

• Preparing files: 1-3 weeks

• Uploading files to KDP: Just 30 minutes

• Amazon review and approval: 24-48 hours

• Going live online: 24 hours

• Total: About2-4 weeksFrom start to actual publishing

Q3: How much can I earn from my book?

Answer: It depends on:

• The number of copies sold(Each reader = income)

• The price you set(Best $2.99-9.99)

• Effective marketing(Books that are marketed sell more)

Example: If you sell 100 copies at $4.99:

• Your earnings = 100 × 4.99 × 70% =$349 💰

Q4: Does Amazon take a percentage of my earnings?

Answer: Yes, this is how they operate:

• For prices $2.99-9.99: Amazon takes 30%, you take 70%

• There are no additional or hidden fees

Q5: Should I choose Amazon KDP Select (exclusive)?

The answer: It depends on your strategy:

• Choose "Select"if you wantfocus on Amazonand additional benefits

• Do not chooseif you wantto publish on other platformsin parallel (Kobo, Apple Books, etc.)

Q6: What about the W-8BEN form (taxes)?

Answer:

• Mandatory requirementfor authors outside the U.S.

• It helps youavoid U.S. withholding tax(usually 30%)

• Easy to fill outand acceptance is automatic within hours

• Without it, you won't receive your funds

It's time to start your digital book publishing journey

Publishing on Amazon KDP is not a distant dream- It's a reality you can start today.

All you need is:

✅ A ready book (even if it's not perfect)

✅ Files in the correct format

✅ A passion for seeing your book in the world

✅ A little patience and perseverance

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the technical steps? Do you want someone to take care of all the details while you focus on creativity only?

🎯 Your next step with Zart Publishing

Zart Digital Publishing is your ideal partneron this journey. We specialize in:

✅ Converting your print book or Word fileinto a professional ePub

✅ Professional cover designthat attracts readers

✅ Managing all metadata(keywords, description, categories)

✅ Publishing on Amazon KDPand 7 other global platforms

✅ Ongoing supportafter publishing to ensure your success

Why choose Zart Publishing?

• 💯 100% of your rights belong to you- We do not take any percentage of the profits

• ⚡ Fast publishing- Only 7-14 days from start to finish

• 🌍 Global distribution- Multiple platforms and millions of readers

• 🤝 Professional team- Specialists in Arabic digital publishing

Start your journey now!

Explore professional publishing plans with Zart Publishing

If you have any questions or need a free personal consultation, contact us now