Venturing Into Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing

Introduction

On 12 July 2025, I made the difficult decision to purchase a custom domain - https://www.myrxnote.com - for my long-running blog, https://mypharmacistnote.blogspot.com.

• In hindsight, it might have been a regrettable move. The domain transfer did not go as smoothly as I had hoped, and even after three months, the new URL has yet to establish proper search index visibility.
• As a result, the blog’s traffic statistics have dropped drastically - both in terms of impressions and actual page views - reaching an all-time low.
• Despite this setback, I remain optimistic. I continue to create new content inspired by the books I’ve recently read. Deep down, I still believe it was the right step forward.

After reading Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki, I began to seriously reflect on how to build a passive income stream - one that does not rely on my active labor.

• When I paused to consider what I truly enjoy doing, the answer was clear: reading, thinking, and writing.
• That led me to explore the idea of publishing my own eBooks.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is one of the most essential and beginner-friendly platforms for new authors.

• It is a free and simple self-publishing service that allows anyone to publish and sell their books to millions of readers worldwide through Amazon’s marketplaces.

Once a book is published, it becomes available across all Amazon Kindle Stores globally, with authors earning royalties of 35% or 70%, depending on the book’s price and distribution settings.

• The 70% royalty rate applies to books priced between $2.99 and $9.99, while the 35% rate applies to prices outside that range or when certain conditions are not met.

In most cases, authors prepare their manuscripts using Microsoft Word or another text editor, format them according to KDP’s publishing guidelines, and then upload the file through the KDP dashboard.

• During this process, authors also enter key details such as the book title, subtitle, author name, description, keywords, and categories.

After submission, it typically takes up to 72 hours (3 business days) for the book to be reviewed, approved, and listed for sale on Amazon.

• In some cases, the process may take up to 10 business days, especially for new accounts or complex submissions.

Editing and Updates

One major advantage of KDP is that authors retain full control over their books even after publication.

• At any time, they can update the manuscript, cover, book description, or other details directly through the KDP dashboard.
• Once changes are submitted, the book typically undergoes a brief review before the new version replaces the old one in the Amazon store.

KDP Select and Promotions

Authors also have the option to enroll their eBook in KDP Select, an exclusive 90-day program that offers additional visibility and marketing benefits.

• While enrolled, the eBook must be exclusive to Amazon (it cannot be sold or distributed on other platforms during that period).

In return, authors can choose either one of the following promotional tools within each 90-day cycle:

• Kindle Countdown Deals - Time-limited discounts (for up to 7 days) where readers can purchase the book at a reduced price while the author continues earning royalties.
• Free Book Promotions - The ability to offer the book for free for up to 5 days within each 90-day enrollment period.

Additionally, books in KDP Select are automatically included in Kindle Unlimited (KU) and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL), allowing authors to earn royalties based on the number of pages read by subscribers.

Summary

Since there are no upfront costs and virtually unlimited possibilities, I decided to spend a month writing and publishing a self-help book through Amazon KDP.

• Overall, the process of uploading and publishing a book is remarkably smooth and user-friendly.
• However, the greatest challenge remains the same - writing a complete book that spans many pages with consistent structure and flow.
• For years, I have focused on simplifying long essays into concise notes, so expanding those ideas into full-length chapters has been a significant challenge for me.

If you find value in my writing, you can support me by purchasing my book available on Amazon: The Architecture of A Whole Life.

NOTE: Brainstorming and wcriting a book is only 50% of the self-publishing journey. Worse yet, it’s the easier half compared to marketing.