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.
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.
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.
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.
In this section, provide the names of anyone who contributed to the book:
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.
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.
In the following sections, confirm that you hold the rights to publish your book and set an appropriate age range:
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.
Selecting precise categories ensures your book appears in relevant search results, making it easier for readers to find.
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:
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.
If you’re only publishing through Amazon, you can request a free ISBN:
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.
Selecting the right print options is important to ensure that your book appears polished and professional.
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.
The layout pdf is the interior of your book, including all pages, illustrations, and text.
KDP will process and scan the file for any formatting errors, so wait until it confirms that the upload was successful.
For the cover, use the cover.pdf file provided by Bookimagic.
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.
The Kindle Previewer tool simulates how your book will appear once printed, so you can review each page for accuracy.
Take the time to ensure that every illustration, text box, and page appears as intended.
In the first section of the pricing page, you’ll choose the distribution territories for your book.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To attract more buyers, consider these promotional strategies:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.