Step-by-Step Guide: How to Publish a Paperback on KDP
🪜 STEP 1: Prepare Your Manuscript
📄 Use MS Word or Google Docs
Format as per:
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Trim size: 5.5" x 8.5" or 6" x 9"
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Margins:
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Top/Bottom: 0.75"
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Outside: 0.5"
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Inside (gutter): 0.75"–0.9"
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Font: Times New Roman or Garamond, 11–12 pt
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Line spacing: 1.15 or 1.5
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Paragraphs: Justified alignment with 0.3" indent
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Page Numbers: Bottom center or outside corners (avoid on title, TOC, or blank pages)
📌 Save as PDF (Print-ready)
File → Save As → PDF
🪜 STEP 2: Create a KDP Account
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Go to: https://kdp.amazon.com
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Sign in with your Amazon account or create a new one
🪜 STEP 3: Start a New Paperback Project
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On your dashboard, click “+ Create” → “Paperback”
🪜 STEP 4: Fill Book Details
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Book Title: Echoes of the Oppressed
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Subtitle (optional)
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Author Name
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Description: A powerful 150–200 word blurb
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Keywords: 7 relevant words (e.g., injustice, social issues, awakening, society, real stories)
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Category: Non-fiction → Social Issues / Memoir
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Age & Grade Range: Leave blank or choose if applicable
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✅ ISBN: Choose Free KDP ISBN
🪜 STEP 5: Upload Manuscript & Cover
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Manuscript: Upload your formatted PDF
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Cover: Upload PDF cover (front + spine + back) with correct bleed
OR
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Use KDP Cover Creator if you don’t have a ready design
🪜 STEP 6: Choose Print Options
| Option | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Trim Size | 5.5" x 8.5" |
| Paper | Cream |
| Ink | Black & White |
| Bleed | No Bleed (for text-only) |
| Cover Finish | Matte |
🪜 STEP 7: Preview Book
Use the Print Previewer Tool to:
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Check margins
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Page alignment
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Cover layout
Fix any red errors before proceeding.
🪜 STEP 8: Set Pricing & Distribution
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Select All Territories
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Royalty: 60%
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Price: ₹199 or ₹249 (paperback price should be a little higher than eBook)
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You earn around ₹90–₹120 per copy
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Choose Expanded Distribution (optional for wider reach)
🪜 STEP 9: Publish
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Review everything
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Click ✅ “Publish Your Paperback Book”
Your book will go live on Amazon in 72 hours.
✍️ Editing Tips Before Publishing
✅ Structure Checklist:
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Title page
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Copyright page
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Dedication (optional)
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Table of contents
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Chapters with titles or numbers
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About the author (last page)
✅ Editing Tips:
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Proofread multiple times
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Use Grammarly or Microsoft Editor
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Justify text for neat alignment
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No widows/orphans (single lines alone at top/bottom)
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Avoid blank pages with page numbers
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Use section breaks to manage headers/footers
💡 Bonus Tip:
Upload your eBook and paperback together — they will be linked automatically.