Publishing a book on Amazon isn’t just for novelists or influencers. These days, anyone with a good idea—or a little experience in something useful—can get a book out there and actually make money from it.
The tricky part isn’t getting published. It’s knowing how to do it in a way that works. That means choosing the right topic, putting together a solid launch, and making sure people actually find (and buy) your book.
This guide walks you through it all, step by step. If you’ve been thinking about writing a book and want it to pay off, this is where to start.
Key Takeaways
- You don’t need a big audience to publish a book on Amazon—you just need a smart plan and a clear message.
- Pick a topic based on what you know and what people are already searching for. Don’t try to chase trends.
- Self-publishing through Amazon KDP gives you full control, faster timelines, and higher royalties than traditional publishing.
- A strong outline, clean formatting, and professional editing make a big difference in how your book is received.
- Early reviews and launch-week traction are key to getting visibility on Amazon.
- Long-term marketing—like podcasts, content repurposing, and lead magnets—keeps the sales coming.
- Your book can open doors to speaking gigs, clients, and other revenue streams beyond just royalties.
- If writing a full book isn’t realistic, Trelexa’s Life IPO program offers a done-for-you path to published authority in 90 days.
Choosing a Profitable Book Topic That Sells
You don’t need a viral idea—you need a valuable one. The best topics are often hiding in plain sight: in your career, your life experience, or a problem you’ve already solved. What matters is whether people are already looking for that solution.
Here’s how to find a book idea that’s not just worth writing, but worth buying.
Start With What You Know—and What People Pay For
You’re not starting from scratch. Your knowledge, story, or process is already valuable to someone. The key is to frame it in a way that solves a problem or answers a real question. Think about what people ask you for help with. That’s a clue.
Then, check if people are already paying for that knowledge. Head to Amazon, type in related terms, and see what comes up. Are there books with decent reviews? That’s good—it means people are buying. But if the top results have thousands of reviews, you may be stepping into a crowded space.
Look for Gaps in the Market
A profitable niche isn’t always a popular one—it’s often an underserved one. When browsing similar titles, ask yourself: What’s missing? Maybe the top-selling books are all broad and beginner-focused. That’s your chance to go specific and speak directly to a narrower group.
Pay attention to book subtitles and reviews. Readers will often say what they wished the book included. That’s where you come in. Filling those gaps is how you stand out without competing on volume.
Avoid Chasing Trends
It’s tempting to pick a topic just because it’s hot right now. But trends fade—and if you’re not already known in that space, you’ll get buried fast. Evergreen subjects tied to your actual experience will not only sell better over time, they’ll also lead to better reviews and referrals.
Stick with what you can speak about confidently. Readers can tell when a book was written to game the algorithm. They can also tell when it’s written with authority.
Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: What to Know
Before you jump into formatting and uploading, it helps to understand your publishing options. Both traditional publishing and self-publishing can lead to success, but the process, timeline, and payoff look very different.
If you’re focused on speed, control, and keeping your profits, self-publishing through Amazon is usually the smarter move.
Traditional Publishing Takes Time—and Control
If you land a traditional publishing deal, you’re typically trading ownership for access. The publisher covers the costs—editing, design, printing, distribution—but they also control the creative direction and timeline. Most authors wait 12–24 months before their book hits shelves.
Unless you already have a large platform or a literary agent, it’s a long road. And even then, royalties are small (around 10–15%), and marketing support is never guaranteed.
Self-Publishing Gives You Speed, Freedom, and Profit
Self-publishing lets you skip the gatekeepers. You keep full rights to your work, decide on your timeline, and collect up to 70% in royalties on Amazon. That’s a major difference—and one reason so many business owners, coaches, and creators are choosing to go independent.
Still, with that freedom comes responsibility. You’ll need to manage (or outsource) editing, design, and marketing. But for many, the tradeoff is worth it.
Is Self-Publishing Right for You?
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
- You want control over the timeline and creative process
- You’re building a personal brand or business around your book
- You don’t want to wait a year for approval and release
- You’re willing to invest in production and marketing upfront
- You’d rather earn 70% royalties than 10–15%
If that sounds like you, then Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing is likely the right move.
How to Write Your Book Without Getting Stuck
Writing the book is where most people stall. Not because they lack ideas—but because they overthink the process. The goal here isn’t to write the next great novel. It’s to create something helpful, clear, and valuable enough that someone would pay to read it.
You don’t need to write like a pro. You just need a plan—and a system that works for your schedule and your strengths.
Outline First, Write Second
Trying to “just start writing” is where overwhelm kicks in. Instead, build a simple outline first. Break your topic into 5–10 key sections or questions your reader likely has. That way, every writing session has a focus. You’re not writing a book—you’re answering one question at a time.
An outline gives you momentum. It also helps you spot early if your structure feels thin or off-track.
Make It Easy to Stick With
You don’t need to write every day. You need consistency. Whether it’s one long Saturday session or 30 minutes before bed, pick a rhythm that fits your life and commit to it.
Don’t edit as you go. That’s the fastest way to kill momentum. Just get it down. You can clean it up later—or have someone else do it.
Not a Writer? No Problem
If writing feels like a chore, consider working with a ghostwriter or using an interview-based writing method. Many experts find it easier to talk their book out loud and have someone else shape it.
Even AI tools can help draft messy first versions—but real editing and structure still need human touch. Readers can tell the difference.
Editing and Proofreading: Don’t Skip This Step
Nothing kills trust faster than a sloppy book. Typos, awkward phrasing, or inconsistent formatting can make even the best ideas feel amateur. Readers might not be editors—but they know when something feels off.
This is where your book becomes professional—or forgettable.
Different Levels of Editing Do Different Jobs
Editing isn’t just spellcheck. There are layers to it. A developmental editor looks at the big picture: structure, clarity, and flow. A line editor improves sentence quality and tone. A proofreader catches grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes.
You may not need all three, but you do need at least one person who wasn’t involved in writing to give it a full pass.
Hire Like It Matters—Because It Does
You can find freelance editors on platforms like Reedsy, Upwork, or by asking other indie authors for referrals. Rates vary, but quality editing often costs between $500–$1,500 depending on length and scope.
If your book is tied to your reputation, don’t skimp here. A polished read builds credibility—and that leads to better reviews, more referrals, and repeat sales.
Designing Your Book Cover to Attract Buyers
People do judge books by their covers—especially on Amazon, where most shoppers scroll fast and make snap decisions. You’ve got one chance to grab attention, and your cover is doing most of the heavy lifting.
A good cover doesn’t just look nice. It signals professionalism, sets the tone, and makes the book feel worth paying for.
Study What’s Working in Your Category
Before you even think about colors or fonts, search your category on Amazon and take notes. What do the top books look like? Are they clean and minimal? Bold and colorful? Do they follow a certain style?
You’re not trying to copy—you’re looking for visual cues that readers already trust. Blending in just enough helps your book look like it belongs on the shelf.
Hire a Pro (Or Use the Right Tools)
If you can afford it, hire a designer who’s done book covers before. Someone who understands Amazon specs, thumbnail clarity, and genre expectations. Reedsy and Fiverr both have solid talent—just check portfolios carefully.
DIY-ing it? Tools like Canva or BookBrush can work, but only if you stick to simple layouts and strong typography. Avoid overcomplicating the design or stuffing it with images. Your cover needs to pop at a glance, not explain your life story.
Formatting Your Book for Kindle and Print
Formatting isn’t the glamorous part of publishing, but it makes or breaks the reading experience. If your layout feels off—even slightly—it distracts readers, leads to bad reviews, and can tank your credibility fast.
Amazon has its own formatting quirks, and you need to get them right for both Kindle and paperback.
Use the Right Tools for the Job
You can format your book manually with Word or Google Docs, but it’s easy to mess up page breaks, margins, or fonts. If you’re not familiar with publishing standards, tools like Kindle Create, Atticus, or Vellum (Mac only) are built specifically for this process.
They let you preview how your book will look on different devices and help avoid the tiny glitches that scream “self-published and rushed.”
Know the Differences Between Ebook and Print
Kindle books flow like a website—no fixed page numbers, adjustable text sizes. Print books need static layouts with page numbers, headers, section breaks, and mirrored margins.
Each version has different file requirements too. For example, print needs a PDF with exact trim size and bleed settings. Kindle needs a reflowable .kpf or .epub file.
Double-Check Everything Before You Hit Publish
Before uploading anything, preview both versions on multiple devices using Amazon’s free previewer tools. Watch for odd spacing, missing headers, or misplaced images.
A bad format might not seem like a dealbreaker—but it signals low effort. That’s not the impression you want to give.
Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing on Amazon KDP
Once your manuscript is polished and formatted, it’s time to go live. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) makes the process straightforward, but you still need to know what to expect.
Here’s how to go from finished file to published book, step by step.
Set Up Your KDP Account
Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account—or create a new one. You’ll need to enter your tax info and payment details so Amazon knows where to send your royalties.
This is a one-time setup. After that, you can publish as many books as you want.
Upload Your Book Files
Click “Create a new title,” choose between Kindle eBook and paperback, and start filling in the details:
- Book title and subtitle
- Author name
- Book description
- Keywords and categories
- Manuscript and cover files (use .kpf or .epub for Kindle, PDF for print)
- ISBN (Amazon provides one free for print if you don’t have your own)
Amazon’s preview tool lets you double-check how your book looks before it goes live.
Choose Pricing and Royalty Options
You’ll pick between a 35% or 70% royalty rate for Kindle (the 70% option comes with pricing and region restrictions). For print, you’ll earn based on printing costs and list price.
You can also choose expanded distribution for paperbacks, which makes your book available through other retailers—but with lower royalty rates.
Hit Publish and Go Live
Once everything’s uploaded and approved, hit “Publish.” Your book usually appears on Amazon within 72 hours—sometimes faster.
You’re now officially a published author. But if you want people to find your book, the real work starts next.
Setting the Right Price for Your Book
Price your book too high, and you scare off curious readers. Too low, and you might undercut your credibility—or leave money on the table. The sweet spot depends on your goals: royalties, reach, or both.
Amazon gives you flexibility, but smart pricing isn’t random. It’s strategic.
Understand Amazon’s Royalty Tiers
For Kindle eBooks, you’ll choose between two royalty rates: 35% or 70%. Most authors aim for the 70% rate, but to qualify, your book has to be priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and meet a few other requirements (like regional availability and delivery cost thresholds).
For paperbacks, royalties are usually 60% of your list price, minus printing costs. The exact royalty depends on your book’s length, size, and whether it’s black-and-white or color.
Study What Similar Books Are Charging
Look at other books in your niche. What’s the average Kindle price? How about paperback? Your goal is to be in the same general range—not too far below, and definitely not far above unless you’re offering something clearly premium.
If most comparable Kindle books are $4.99, pricing yours at $7.99 better come with added value (like worksheets, bonus chapters, or companion videos).
Test and Adjust as You Go
The beauty of Amazon KDP is that you can change your price at any time. Some authors launch low (to get reviews and sales momentum), then raise prices later. Others offer discounts during promotions or use $0.99 as a lead-gen tactic before raising the price long-term.
What matters is that your price reflects both the market—and your goals.
Launch Strategy: How to Get Early Traction and Reviews
You only get one shot at launch week—and Amazon’s algorithm is watching. If your book picks up sales and reviews early, it climbs the ranks. If it doesn’t, it sinks. That early momentum matters more than most people realize.
You don’t need a big platform. You need a plan.
Build a Simple Launch Team
Start with your network. Reach out to 10–20 people who are willing to support your launch. These can be clients, peers, friends, or folks from your email list. Give them early access to your book (or key chapters) and ask for two things:
- Buy the book when it goes live
- Leave an honest review in the first few days
Don’t offer to pay or reward them—it violates Amazon’s terms. Just be real about why this support helps and how it benefits others.
Get Your First 5–10 Reviews Quickly
Reviews signal trust. Without them, people hesitate to buy. That’s why your launch team matters—and why timing is everything. Ask them to post reviews as close to launch day as possible.
Don’t wait for reviews to trickle in. Be proactive and organized. Send reminders, make it easy for them, and say thank you.
Promote Like You Mean It
Your book isn’t going to market itself. Share it on social media, inside your newsletter, in Facebook groups, on LinkedIn—wherever your audience lives. Don’t just say “Hey, I wrote a book.” Explain who it’s for and what problem it solves.
If you’ve been a podcast guest or webinar speaker, circle back and share your launch with those hosts or audiences too.
Marketing Beyond Amazon: Driving Ongoing Sales
Amazon is where people buy your book—but it’s not where they discover it. If you want consistent sales, you need to drive traffic from the outside in. That means treating your book like a product and your name like a brand.
You’re not done after launch week. You’re just getting started.
Turn Your Book Into Evergreen Content
Your book gives you a ton of marketing material—use it. Break chapters into blog posts. Turn tips into social media threads. Record short videos or carousels based on key takeaways.
Every time you share content, include a link to the book. Over time, these posts compound and drive long-tail traffic straight to your Amazon page.
Pitch Yourself as a Guest on Podcasts
Podcasts are one of the most effective ways to sell books. Unlike social media, listeners are locked in—and if you’re a good guest, they’ll want to go deeper.
Look for shows where your book’s topic is a natural fit. Reach out with a simple pitch: who you help, what you’ve written about, and why it’s relevant to their audience. Many hosts are actively looking for fresh voices.
Build a Funnel Around the Book
If your book ties into your business, it should also lead somewhere. Offer a free resource, worksheet, or bonus chapter in exchange for an email. Use that to nurture readers into clients.
The book builds trust. Your funnel turns that trust into action.
Monetizing Your Book Beyond Royalties
Most authors don’t get rich from royalties. The real money comes from what the book unlocks—clients, speaking gigs, media invites, and course sales. A book builds credibility fast. When done right, it becomes a door-opener, not just a product.
This is where strategy beats sales volume.
Use Your Book as a Trust-Building Tool
People see authors differently. If someone finds your book helpful, they’re more likely to book a call, buy your service, or bring you in to speak. That’s why many professionals treat their book as a business card with weight—it signals authority before you even show up.
And unlike a blog or a social post, a book feels permanent. It sticks.
Package What You Know Into a Paid Offer
Your book can become the foundation for a course, workshop, or coaching program. If readers want to go deeper, give them a next step. Create a landing page or offer a bonus resource tied to your book to move them off Amazon and into your world.
Even a short PDF lead magnet inside your book can start that journey.
Pitch Yourself for Paid Speaking
Event organizers want speakers who’ve written the book on it—literally. Having “author” next to your name gives you an edge when applying to conferences, workshops, or panels. And those appearances, even if unpaid at first, often lead to real revenue down the line.
The book gives you the platform. What you do with it is up to you.
Trelexa’s Life IPO: A Done-for-You Bestseller Strategy
If writing a full book sounds like a mountain you don’t have time to climb, there’s another path—one that still gives you visibility, authority, and Amazon bestseller status without doing it all yourself.
That’s where Trelexa’s Life IPO program comes in.
Think of it like going public with your expertise. You bring your knowledge, and Trelexa turns it into a professionally written, published, and promoted chapter in a category-targeted bestseller. No blank pages. No endless editing loops. Just a 60-minute interview turned into a polished 3,000-word chapter—with your name on the cover.
What You Get With Life IPO
- Instant authority: You become a published co-author in a professionally produced book with a focused niche and clear positioning.
- Guaranteed visibility: The launch includes press coverage in 200+ media outlets and a guest spot on a podcast with at least 70,000 listeners.
- Marketing-ready assets: You’ll get 100 print copies of the book, social graphics, and a full lead-gen funnel to turn readers into clients.
- Speed and support: From chapter submission to launch, the timeline is just 90 days—backed by a team of editors, PR pros, and marketing strategists.
This isn’t a course. It’s a full-service publishing campaign designed for professionals who are serious about using their story to open doors. And spots are limited—only 27 per vertical.
So if you’re ready to turn your expertise into an asset, but want the fast lane instead of the DIY path, this is it.
Final Thoughts
Publishing on Amazon isn’t reserved for full-time authors. It’s a smart move for anyone with something useful to say and a plan to back it up.
You don’t need a massive platform. You just need the right topic, a clear strategy, and a professional finish.
Whether you do it yourself or work with a team like Trelexa, getting your name on a book cover changes how people see you—and how they pay you.