Amazon Publishing Cheat Sheet

Here are quick links to 33 Amazon publishing resources for self-publishers.

No need to hunt and search; simply bookmark this page and return when you need to find a key Amazon resource.

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TypeAmazon TopicDescriptionAuthorImprints Help
AuthorAuthor CentralAdd your biography, photos, blog, video, and tour events to the Author Page; track your book sales; get author help by phone or email.Create and Enhance Your Amazon Author Central Page
AuthorBookScanBookScan Highlights give you an at-a-glance summary of your print book sales and how the current sales changed from that week. BookScan Highlights are updated weekly.You see a map of the US showing print book sales by local region.
AuthorPublic Profile (sign-in required)This links you directly to the instructions needed to edit your Amazon.com profile page which is separate from your AuthorCentral page. (Amazon account login required.)If you write customer reviews of products, this profile will show when people click your name.
AuthorKindle Royalty PaymentsDetails about royalty rates paid to those publishing using KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing).The 2021 Guide to Amazon Fees and Royalties for Kindle eBooks and KDP Print
AuthorSales Ranking (Best Sellers Rank or BSR)The Amazon Best Sellers calculation is based on Amazon sales of a product. It is updated hourly to reflect recent and historical sales of every item sold on Amazon.Note: the lower the number, the better.
AuthorClaim Copyright InfringementContact Amazon if you feel your copyright is being infringed upon by another seller.For more information about copyright, see David Wogahn's Register Your Book.
AuthorBuy paperbacks at a discountHow to buy copies of your paperback at a discount. Note that there is no author discount on eBook purchases.Proof copies are ordered in a similar way.
AuthorRoyalties-how they are computedHow Amazon calculates royalties for eBook and paperback sales, delivery costs for eBooks, and calculations for books on sale.The 2021 Guide to Amazon Fees and Royalties for Kindle eBooks and KDP Print
MarketingKindle Countdown DealsKindle Countdown Deals is a KDP Select benefit allowing authors to run limited-time discount promotions on their eBooks.Amazon Expands KDP Select to Include Kindle Countdown Deals Benefit
MarketingFree Book PromotionYou can choose to offer any book enrolled in KDP Select free to readers for up to 5 days out of each 90-day KDP Select enrollment period.The Essential 5-Step Checklist for Running a Successful KDP Select Promotion
MarketingKDP SelectThis optional program provides promotion benefits and allows your eBook to be part of Kindle Unlimited in exchange for a 90-day exclusive sales arrangement.Should You Use Amazon KDP Select or Distribute Your Book Wide?
Marketing Amazon AdvertisingPrint and eBooks published on KDP are eligible to use Amazon Advertising.Formerly called Amazon Marketing Services (AMS), Amazon Advertising is a pay-per-click advertising system similar to Google Ads.
MarketingKindle eBook Pre-OrderKindle eBooks may be listed up to 90 days in advance of the release date.Note that there is no pre-order option for paperbacks.
OtherKindle Reading AppsKindle readings apps are free and work with virtually any device. Install the app to read Kindle eBooks.You do not need a Kindle or Fire device to read Kindle eBooks.
OtherKindle UnlimitedAmazon's eBook subscription program. Books enrolled in KDP Select are automatically part of Kindle Unlimited.Kindle Unlimited, or KU, is like Netflix for books.
OtherAssociatesAmazon's affiliate marketing program. When someone clicks on a specially coded link from your website and buys something from Amazon, you receive a commission.Use these links with your book on your website to get an extra commission when someone buys your book.
OtherTimelinesLearn how long it takes for your books to be published or updated. And how long it takes for metadata changes to take effect.Also see our page about publishing timelines.
OtherUnpublish and Deleting BooksHow to unpublish, republish, or delete a previously published book on KDP.When you unpublish your paperback, customers won't be able to buy new copies through KDP but third parties may still sell used copies of your paperback on Amazon.
PublishingAudiobook Creation Exchange (ACX)An audiobook creation and distribution platform that matches books with recording studios and voice talent. Also used to upload a finished audiobook to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.Also see our page about audiobooks.
PublishingKDP Pricing SupportKDP Pricing Support analyzes past sales data for groups of books that have similar attribute values and maps the relationship between price changes and number of books sold.How Much to Charge When Pricing a Self-Published Book to Sell on Amazon
PublishingCreate a KDP AccountAmazon's self-publishing portal for adding Kindle eBooks to Amazon bookstores worldwide.Use an existing Amazon account or a new one. Have your tax and banking information handy before starting.
PublishingBrowse Categories; paperback and eBookHow to select categories for paperback and eBooks.A Book Metadata Optimization Primer for Self-Publishing Authors and Businesses
PublishingKeywordsHow to select or update keywords for paperback and eBooks.A Book Metadata Optimization Primer for Self-Publishing Authors and Businesses
PublishingAmazon PublishingThis is the full-service publishing arm of Amazon with multiple imprints across several genres. They do not accept unsolicited manuscripts at this time.Amazon is also a traditional publisher with several imprints.
PublishingLink eBook and PaperbackNew print and eBooks are usually automatically linked so they appear on the same page. If it doesn't happen within about a week, contact Amazon.If this doesn't happen automatically, use Author Central to request it.
ReviewsCommunity Guidelines for leaving reviewsGuidelines, policies, eligibility for leaving Amazon reviews; tips about writing great reviews. There is also a list of reasons a review is rejected or removed.For more information about book reviews, see David Wogahn's The Book Review Companion.
ReviewsCustomer ReviewsExplains circumstances when Amazon will remove reviews and policies regarding giving free books to readers and reviews by family and friends.For more information about book reviews, see David Wogahn's The Book Review Companion.
Selling-DistributionAdvantage (currently closed to new publishers)Advantage is a self-service consignment program that enables you to promote and sell physical media products directly on Amazon.com.10 Things Author-Publishers Should Know About the Amazon Advantage Changes. Additional advice is available on a consulting basis.
Selling-DistributionFulfillment by AmazonWith Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you store your products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and they pick, pack, ship, and provide customer service.Frequently used by used book sellers.
Selling-Distribution Look Inside the BookKindle and paperback books display a sample of the contents to shoppers. The default is 20% but authors can request a different amount to show. It depends on the format so click the link to learn more.This is automatically handled for books that use KDP. It can take from 7 to 10 days depending on format.
Selling-DistributionSeller Central (Marketplace)An e-commerce platform that enables third-party sellers to sell new and used offerings on Amazon.com's fixed-price online marketplace alongside Amazon's regular offerings.Amazon Advantage vs Amazon Seller Central (Marketplace) An FAQ
ToolsKindle PreviewerSee how your eBook will look before you publish it.Available for PC and Mac.
ToolsKindle Kids' Book CreatorKindle Kids' Book Creator is a downloadable tool that helps you create illustrated children's books.Available for PC and Mac.
PublishingKDP and ISBNsKindle eBooks are not required to have an ISBN and print books are required to have one. Amazon has a free ISBN but you can use your own or buy one for $99. If you use the free ISBN, Amazon is your publisher and your paperback cannot be printed by any other printer.See our article KDP Print ISBN Options or read David Wogahn's My Publishing Imprint. Available from Amazon here.