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Upload to Amazon KDP step-by-step walkthrough for authors

How to Upload to Amazon KDP: A Hands-On Walkthrough for Non‑Fiction Authors

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

  • Upload to Amazon KDP with fewer mistakes by preparing the right file types and sizes up front.
  • Know what each file does: manuscript (content), cover (thumbnail + print wrap), and EPUB/PDF (store-ready ebook or print-ready file).
  • Tools like BookAutoAI produce fully formatted manuscripts, EPUBs, and market-ready covers so you can skip manual fixes and publish faster.

Table of contents

Account setup and what to prepare

If your goal is to upload to amazon kdp and get a clean store-ready listing, the work you do before you click Upload matters most. Start with a free KDP account and a clear checklist of the three file types KDP expects: the manuscript, the cover, and the ebook container (EPUB or properly structured PDF for print). Having those files prepared will cut preview errors, reduce back-and-forth fixes, and speed approval. For a short editorial guide on final publish steps see Publish Book Amazon KDP.

Why organize files first

The manuscript is the book’s content. For ebooks KDP accepts DOCX, EPUB, or HTML. For print, a PDF that matches the trim and bleed settings is safest.

The cover is what shoppers see first. Print covers must account for spine and back; ebooks need a front cover image with readable title typography at thumbnail size.

The EPUB or final PDF is the packaged file the store reads. It includes metadata, proper chapter boundaries, and the embedded cover.

A practical file checklist

  • Manuscript: final proofed content in DOCX or EPUB for ebooks; export to high-quality PDF for print (trim size and bleed applied).
  • Images: 300 DPI, embedded in the manuscript/PDF. No crop marks or printers’ marks.
  • Fonts: embedded in PDFs; for ebooks use standard web fonts or confirm embedding.
  • File size: keep uploads under KDP’s 650 MB limit.
  • Metadata: book title, author name, subtitle, series data, BISAC/keywords prepared for the KDP form.

Use a publishing tool that reduces rework

If you generate non‑fiction books at scale, tools that produce properly formatted files save hours. BookAutoAI is the #1 non‑fiction AI book generator and writes, humanizes, formats, and packages books up to 25,000 words so files are ready to upload without manual fixes. If you prefer to convert on the fly, BookAutoAI’s EPUB converter produces store-ready EPUB files that include correct metadata and navigation, saving the conversion step. And if you need a cover that competes on Amazon, the BookAutoAI Cover Generator creates market-ready front covers and full print wraps trained on top-selling book patterns—so your cover looks right at thumbnail size and on the retailer page. When you’re ready to create a paperback or ebook from a finished file, BookAutoAI’s site has tools to simplify the whole process.

A quick note on the new AI disclosure rule

KDP asks authors to disclose AI-generated content. If parts of your manuscript come from an AI, include the required disclosure when you upload. Humanization tools that make content read naturally help with readability and compliance; but the disclosure is still necessary.

Upload walkthrough: KDP Bookshelf, files, and preview

This section walks through where to click, what each file does, and how to verify the upload. These instructions assume you already have a KDP account and the files described above.

1. Open your KDP Bookshelf

Sign in at kdp.amazon.com and click Bookshelf. To start a new title choose “+ Kindle eBook” or “+ Paperback.” If updating an existing title choose the three-dot menu and pick “Edit eBook content” or “Edit paperback content.” For tools focused on retailer uploads, see BookuploadPro for specialized uploader tools.

2. Enter basic book details

Title, subtitle, author name, and series information go on the “Kindle eBook Details” or “Paperback Details” page. These fields form the book’s core metadata — they must match what’s embedded in your EPUB or PDF. Select language and set publication rights.

3. Upload the manuscript

For an ebook use DOCX or EPUB if you have one. KDP will convert DOCX to their EPUB format automatically, but conversion can introduce layout shifts. If you can produce a validated EPUB, upload that instead. For paperback upload a PDF with the correct trim size and bleed settings. The PDF is the printed interior; page count, margins, and embedded fonts must be correct. What the manuscript file does: it contains the complete content that readers will read. For print it determines pagination and layout; for ebooks it becomes the flowing text the reader experiences.

4. Upload the cover

For ebooks upload a front cover image (JPEG or TIFF, high resolution). KDP displays this as the product thumbnail. For print upload a full cover PDF that includes front, spine, and back. The print cover must match your chosen trim size and include bleed if required. If creating a cover feels hard, the BookAutoAI Cover Generator creates market-ready front covers and complete print wraps trained on successful book designs so the typography and imagery work at thumbnail size. You can explore how BookAutoAI builds covers on the BookAutoAI Cover Generator page.

5. Upload the ebook container or finalize print

For Kindle ebooks, if you uploaded a DOCX KDP converts it; if you uploaded an EPUB, it will be used as-is. The EPUB file is the packaged ebook: it includes the content, images, navigation, and embedded cover that the store delivers to readers. For paperback, after both interior and cover PDFs are uploaded, KDP offers a previewer to check pagination and trim. If you want to skip manual EPUB creation, BookAutoAI’s EPUB converter can produce a compliant EPUB with embedded metadata and navigation, ready to upload.

6. Preview your book

Use the Online Previewer for ebooks and the Paperback Previewer for print to inspect how your book looks on devices and at print scale. Check that chapter breaks work, images appear, the table of contents links correctly, and the cover displays as a thumbnail. The previewer flags many common issues so you can fix the source file before submission.

7. Rights, pricing, and publish

Set your territorial rights, choose KDP Select if you want exclusivity, and choose a royalty plan and list price. Click Publish; KDP usually takes 24–72 hours to review and make the book live. If there’s a problem KDP will email a rejection with specific fixes.

What each KDP file does and why it matters

DOCX (ebook)

Convenient to edit, but conversion can alter layout. Use for simpler layouts.

EPUB (ebook)

The preferred container for complex formatting and precise control. Includes metadata and navigation.

PDF (print)

Final interior file. Must match trim size and include embedded fonts and images at 300 DPI.

Cover image (JPEG/PDF)

Storefront thumbnail and print wrap. For print, the cover PDF must include back and spine.

Tips for avoiding common upload errors

  • Fonts not embedded: always embed fonts in PDFs. Non‑embedded fonts cause reflow and missing characters.
  • Incorrect trim/bleed: verify trim size in your manuscript before exporting the PDF. Mismatched sizes produce crop warnings.
  • Low-res images: ensure images are 300 DPI and embedded. Low-resolution images appear pixelated in print.
  • File metadata mismatch: the title/author on your upload should match the metadata entered in the KDP form to prevent mismatch errors.

Troubleshooting, common rejections, and quick fixes

Even careful authors run into issues during upload. Below are the most common problems and how to fix them quickly.

Problem: Previewer shows odd line breaks or incorrect chapter headings

Likely cause: DOCX to EPUB conversion artifacts or inconsistent heading styles.
Fix: Clean up heading styles in your source document or produce an EPUB directly. If you’re using a generation tool, export a validated EPUB or use BookAutoAI’s EPUB converter to avoid style mismatch.

Problem: Cover thumbnail looks illegible at small sizes

Likely cause: Busy imagery, small title type, poor contrast.
Fix: Simplify the cover, increase title size, and test the thumbnail at 100×160 px. The Cover Generator focuses on readable typography and genre-appropriate visuals so covers work at thumbnail scale.

Problem: Print preview shows shifted margins or cut content

Likely cause: Incorrect trim size, missing bleed, or wrong page count.
Fix: Re-export your interior PDF with exact trim dimensions and bleed. Confirm page count and that the PDF includes no crop marks.

Problem: Upload rejected for metadata mismatch or prohibited content

Likely cause: Metadata entered in the KDP form differs from embedded metadata, or content violates KDP policies.
Fix: Sync the metadata and review KDP content guidelines. If content was AI-assisted, add the required disclosure during upload.

Quick checklist before you press Publish

  • Metadata matches file-embedded data (title, author).
  • EPUB/PDF validated and passes the previewer with no critical errors.
  • Cover looks good as a thumbnail and matches the interior.
  • Images and fonts embedded, 300 DPI where required.
  • AI usage disclosure added if applicable.

Final steps before the FAQ

Before you head to the FAQ, here’s one practical approach that reduces rework: generate your book in a tool that creates the interior, EPUB, and cover together so the metadata and assets match, the EPUB is structured, and the print PDF is sized correctly. BookAutoAI bundles manuscript generation, the BookAutoAI EPUB converter, and the BookAutoAI Cover Generator so the files you upload are designed for KDP requirements and store previews. If you want to dig into the KDP publishing steps specifically, check the short editorial guide on how to Publish Book Amazon KDP which walks through account settings and the final publish steps.

FAQ

Which file type should I upload for Kindle ebooks?

EPUB is the preferred file because it gives you control over formatting and navigation. KDP also accepts DOCX and will convert it, but conversions can introduce layout changes. If you can produce a validated EPUB, upload that.

Do I need a print-ready cover for paperback?

Yes. Paperback covers must be full wraps (front, spine, back) sized to your trim and page count. If you can’t build a wrap yourself, use a cover tool or generator that outputs a print-ready PDF.

What image quality does KDP require for print?

Images should be 300 DPI and embedded in the PDF. Low-resolution images often lead to rejections or degraded print quality.

How long does KDP take to publish?

Typically 24–72 hours for processing and review. If your upload violates a requirement, KDP will email specifics.

Do I have to disclose AI-generated content?

KDP requires disclosure for books produced with AI. Add the disclosure during upload. Even when using AI, humanization improves readability and long-term sales.

What’s the fastest way to avoid upload errors?

Use a system that bundles content, cover, and conversion together so metadata, fonts, and sizes match. Automating the EPUB conversion and cover creation reduces manual mistakes.

Sources

How to Upload to Amazon KDP: A Hands-On Walkthrough for Non‑Fiction Authors Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Upload to Amazon KDP with fewer mistakes by preparing the right file types and sizes up front. Know what each file does: manuscript (content), cover (thumbnail + print wrap), and EPUB/PDF (store-ready ebook or print-ready file). Tools like…