How to Publish Your Bookimagic Children’s Book on Amazon Kindle

Erik Melkonian
October 29, 2024

How to Publish Your Bookimagic Children’s Book on Amazon KDP

Publishing your Bookimagic children’s book on Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is an exciting way to make your story available to readers worldwide. This guide walks you through each step of the process, from setting up your KDP account to finalizing your book for print distribution.

 

1. Creating Your Amazon KDP Account

To get started, go to Amazon website. If you don’t already have a KDP account, click on the “Join KDP” button to create one. Enter your name, email address, and password, then click “Create your KDP account.”

You’ll need to verify your email and phone number to access your account. Once verified, your KDP account will be ready, allowing you to access KDP’s tools and settings.

2. Accessing the Bookshelf and Starting a New Book Project

Once logged in, go to the Bookshelf section by clicking on the “Bookshelf” tab at the top of your dashboard. This section is where you can manage and create your books.

  • To begin a new project, click “Create” and select "Paperback". This opens the setup for your new book and guides you through entering important details.

3. Book Title and Series Information

  • Book Title: In the title field, enter the title as it appears on your Bookimagic cover. This title will appear on your Amazon listing, so ensure it’s spelled exactly as shown.
  • Series (Optional): If your book is part of a series, you can add it here. Click “Add to series” to enter the series name, helping readers locate other related books.

Example: If your book is titled Adventures in the Magical Forest, enter that as the title. If it’s part of an ongoing series, such as Enchanted Journeys, add that in the series section.

4. Author Name and Contributors

In this section, provide the names of anyone who contributed to the book:

  • Author Name: Enter the name you added when creating your Bookimagic book.
  • Contributors: If you collaborated with an illustrator, editor, or co-author, you can add their names in the contributor section. This ensures that everyone involved receives credit.

5. Book Description

The description is one of the most crucial parts of your book listing on Amazon. It provides potential readers with a quick overview of your story and why they should buy it. To make this step easier, use the book description generated by Bookimagic. This description was crafted specifically for your story, highlighting its central theme, key characters, and target age group, making it perfectly suited for parents or gift buyers.

  • Tip for an Engaging Description: Simply copy the summary from the Bookimagic file’s back cover and paste it into the description field on Amazon KDP. This saves time and ensures that your description is both engaging and tailored to your story.

Example Description:
"Join Max and Mia on a magical adventure in the enchanted forest, where they learn the true meaning of friendship! With captivating illustrations and a heartwarming story, this book is perfect for children aged 3-8 who love exploring new worlds."

Pro Tip: Keep the description lively and concise. Highlighting themes like friendship, bravery, or wonder can connect with parents and young readers.

 

6. Publishing Rights and Age Range

In the following sections, confirm that you hold the rights to publish your book and set an appropriate age range:

  • Publishing Rights: Select “I own the copyright and I hold necessary publishing rights.” Bookimagic grants you full ownership of your book and illustrations, so you have the necessary rights to publish it on KDP.
  • Audience Age Range: Click "No" to confirm that your book doesn't contain any sexually explicit images or text. Set a minimum age (e.g., 1 years old) and a maximum age (e.g., 10 years old) that aligns with your book’s target audience.

7. Selecting Book Categories

Categories are essential for making your book discoverable on Amazon. Choose a primary category that aligns with your book’s content, then refine it with specific subcategories.

  • Primary Category: Choose Children’s Books as your primary category.
  • Subcategories: Refine your selection with the following:
       
    • Literature & Fiction
    •  
    • Chapter Books & Readers
    •  
    • Chapter Books
  •  
  • Fiction/Non-Fiction: On the right side of the screen, select Fiction to classify your book correctly.

Selecting precise categories ensures your book appears in relevant search results, making it easier for readers to find.

8. Adding Keywords

Keywords are terms that help Amazon match your book with reader searches. You can add up to seven keywords, so choose ones that highlight your book’s themes and unique qualities.

Example Keywords for a Fantasy Adventure Book:

  • Children’s magical journey
  • Illustrated bedtime story
  • Adventure for 4-8-year-olds
  • Friendship and teamwork story
  • Magical forest book

Pro Tip: Avoid overly broad terms like “fun” and focus on specific themes or settings unique to your story. Conduct a quick Amazon search to see if similar books use keywords that you could also adopt.

9. Getting an ISBN

If you’re only publishing through Amazon, you can request a free ISBN:

  • Assign ISBN: Click “Assign ISBN” to generate a unique identifier for your book, allowing Amazon to manage distribution and inventory.

Note: Amazon’s free ISBN is only valid for distribution on Amazon. If you plan to sell through other retailers, you may need to acquire your own ISBN.

10. Choosing Print Options

Selecting the right print options is important to ensure that your book appears polished and professional.

  • Interior Type: Choose “Premium Color Interior with White Paper” since Bookimagic illustrations are in full color and designed for quality.
  • Book Size: Select 8.5 x 8.5 inches to match Bookimagic's layout.
  • Bleed Setting: Choose “Bleed (PDF only)” if your illustrations go to the edge of the page.
  • Cover Finish: Choose between Matte or Glossy. Glossy covers tend to work well for children’s books, as they’re eye-catching and durable.

Important Note: The “Standard Color Interior with White Paper" option requires a minimum of 72 pages. Since most children’s books have fewer pages, the “Premium Color Interior” is recommended.

11. Uploading the Manuscript (Interior)

The layout pdf is the interior of your book, including all pages, illustrations, and text.

  • Upload Manuscript: Select the “Upload Manuscript” button and locate the layout.pdf file on your computer to upload it.

KDP will process and scan the file for any formatting errors, so wait until it confirms that the upload was successful.

12. Uploading the Cover

For the cover, use the cover.pdf file provided by Bookimagic.

  • Upload Cover File: Click on “Upload your cover file” and select the cover.pdf file from your computer.
  • Preview for Compatibility: KDP will generate a preview of your cover. Ensure that all text and images are centered and correctly positioned.

13. Checking for AI-Generated Content

Amazon now requires authors to disclose if any part of their book was generated by AI. Since Bookimagic users can manually edit the book, choose “No”. This accurately reflects that the content was personally refined.

14. Launching the Previewer

The Kindle Previewer tool simulates how your book will appear once printed, so you can review each page for accuracy.

  • Click “Launch Previewer”: Wait for the preview to load, then carefully go through each page.
  • Check for Issues: Look for blank spaces, misaligned text, or issues with the cover and interior pages.

Take the time to ensure that every illustration, text box, and page appears as intended.

15. Selecting Territories for Distribution

In the first section of the pricing page, you’ll choose the distribution territories for your book.

  • All Territories: Selecting “All territories” will make your book available on Amazon marketplaces worldwide.
  • Individual Territories: If you want to limit your distribution, you can select specific countries instead. However, choosing all territories allows your book to reach a global audience.

16. Setting Pricing, Royalties, and Printing Costs

KDP offers a range of pricing options for paperback books. This step allows you to choose a price point that covers printing costs while maximizing your potential royalties.

  • Printing Costs: Amazon automatically calculates the minimum price required to cover printing. This cost depends on factors like color, interior type, and page count. Bookimagic books with full-color illustrations usually have a higher printing cost.
  • Setting Your Price: Enter a price in the “Primary Marketplace” field (usually Amazon.com). The price should be at least slightly above the printing cost to generate a royalty.

Example: If Amazon lists the printing cost as $7.00, you might price your book at $12.00. This would allow you to earn around $3.00 per sale after deducting printing costs.

Tip: Pricing your book competitively - typically between $9.99 and $15.99 for children’s paperbacks - can help attract buyers. Parents often look for affordable options, so consider testing different prices if you’re unsure.

  • Royalty Percentage: KDP offers a 60% royalty on paperbacks, minus the cost of printing. Your royalty will appear in the column beside the pricing field, showing your earnings for each sale.

17. Reviewing International Prices

Once you set the primary price, Amazon will automatically calculate prices for other markets, including the UK, Canada, and Australia. Review these to ensure they align with your intended pricing strategy.

  • Adjusting Prices (Optional): You can manually adjust prices for each region if needed, but Amazon’s conversions typically maintain consistency across marketplaces.

 

18. Submitting for Publication

After reviewing everything, scroll down to the bottom of the pricing page and click “Publish Your Paperback Book.” This action submits your book to Amazon’s review team, who will assess it for any formatting or content-related issues.

  • Review Timeline: Amazon’s review process usually takes around 72 hours. You’ll receive an email notification once your book has been approved or if any issues require changes.

 

19. Receiving Your Publishing Confirmation

Once Amazon completes its review and approves your book, you’ll receive a confirmation email. At this point, your Bookimagic children’s book will be live on Amazon, ready for readers to find and purchase.

  • Amazon Listing Page: You can now view your book’s listing on Amazon and share the link with friends, family, and potential customers.
  • Editing Post-Publication: You can still make changes to your book’s description, pricing, and keywords post-publication. However, any edits to the interior or cover files will require a new review.

 

20. Marketing Your Book on Amazon

To attract more buyers, consider these promotional strategies:

  • Optimize Keywords and Categories: Regularly review and update your keywords and categories to keep your book aligned with trending searches.
  • Set Up an Author Page: Create an Author Central page on Amazon. This allows you to connect all your books under your profile, add a bio, and share a bit about yourself with readers.
  • Run Limited Promotions: If eligible, consider occasional price drops or Amazon-sponsored ads to increase visibility and sales.

 

Final Thoughts: Share Your Story with the World

Congratulations on taking your Bookimagic children’s book from an idea to a professionally printed book on Amazon! By following these steps, you’ve unlocked a pathway to reach readers globally, share your creative vision, and even earn royalties from each sale. Now, all that’s left is to continue marketing and sharing your story with the world.

FAQ

How much does it cost to publish on Amazon KDP?

Publishing on KDP is free. Amazon will deduct a printing cost from each sale. This cost varies depending on page count and color so check the pricing page to set a price that covers printing and earns you royalties.

What format should I upload my Bookimagic files?

For KDP upload your manuscript as a PDF for the interior and cover. Bookimagic provides a layout.pdf (interior) and cover.pdf file, both optimized for Amazon KDP so the upload process is smooth and no format errors.

Can I publish my Bookimagic book outside Amazon with their ISBN?

No, Amazon’s free ISBN is only for Amazon KDP distribution. If you plan to publish your book on other platforms, buy your own ISBN to use across multiple retailers.

How long does it take for Amazon to review my book?

Amazon takes up to 72 hours to review and approve your book. After you submit, you’ll receive an email if approved or a notification if changes are needed.

How do I get my book found on Amazon?

Use keywords and categories relevant to your book’s topic and genre. Set up an Author Central page, write a great description and occasionally run Amazon ads or price promotions.

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