The Bare Basics of Self-Publishing on Amazon: Costs and Realities

TLDRSelf-publishing on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing is technically free, but there are costs associated with printing, royalties, and marketing. It's important to understand the breakdown of these costs to make informed decisions.

Key insights

💰Self-publishing on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing is free, but there are costs associated with printing and royalties.

📚The printing costs for self-published books vary based on factors such as color, hardcover/softcover, and number of pages.

💵Authors receive royalties from book sales, but the amount varies based on factors like the book's price and printing costs.

📖Working with Kindle Direct Publishing eliminates the need to handle distribution, as Amazon takes care of shipping and sales.

🔍Choosing to self-publish with a print-on-demand company like IngramSpark expands the book's reach to other online platforms.

Q&A

Is it free to self-publish on Amazon?

Yes, self-publishing on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing is free. However, there are other associated costs.

What are the costs of self-publishing?

The costs of self-publishing include printing fees, royalties, and optional expenses like cover design, editing, and marketing.

How is the printing cost determined?

The printing cost of a self-published book depends on factors like color, type (hardcover/softcover), and number of pages.

How much money do authors make from book sales?

Authors receive royalties from book sales, but the amount varies based on factors like the book's price, printing costs, and distribution platform.

What are the advantages of self-publishing with Amazon?

Publishing with Kindle Direct Publishing removes the need to handle distribution, as Amazon takes care of shipping and sales.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Self-publishing on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing is free, but there are associated costs.

01:03Printing costs for self-published books depend on factors like color, type, and number of pages.

01:56Authors receive royalties from book sales, but the amount varies based on several factors.

02:58Using Kindle Direct Publishing eliminates the need to handle distribution, as Amazon takes care of shipping and sales.

05:42Choosing to self-publish with a print-on-demand company like IngramSpark expands the book's reach to other online platforms.