Time to address an issue about which I am frequently asked. Namely, the intricate process of self-publishing with Amazon KDP…

Readers, fans, and aspiring authors alike all ask me about self-publishing with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (or KDP). I published both of my books this way, after doing a fair bit of research into the pros and cons of independent publishing over traditional publishing, weighing up the costs, and getting some advice from another author.

There were, however, a few things they didn’t tell me too. And so, as I am something of a seasoned veteran with the process, I’m offering some pearls of wisdom in this regard. So the following post (and the video below) covers 5 things you should know or should be advised of before self-publishing with Amazon KDP.

EXPECT TO COVER THE COSTS YOURSELF

So the first thing you ought to know about Amazon KDP is that it is totally free to use. As self-publishing goes, it is also quite easy. You upload your Word document or PDF, fill in all the data about the book, including what paper you want it on; if it has photos or illustrations, should they printed in colour; add your cover art, which we’ll come onto in a minute, and when you’re done, hit publish.

This process does not cost you a penny, but don’t be deluded into thinking you can conduct an entire book publishing project for free. Amazon won’t necessarily cover costs for things like your cover design, the marketing and promotion, or advance copies for events, signings, pre-orders and so on. Like any sort of independent project or business, there will be expenses, so prepare for them.

KINDLE AND PAPERBACK ROYALTIES ARE DIFFERENT

At first, Amazon KDP only self-published to Kindle, so e-book format. However, in 2017 or 2018 they rolled out their beta version of paperback self-publishing, which I got on when I launched Lust & Liberty. So now, there are two publishing options for this service.

It’s worth noting that the royalties – the profit margins – are very different between the two formats. On Kindle, it is quite reasonable: you can choose between 35% and 70% royalty plans, which determines your minimum price. Either way, you can set quite a low cost for your book and make a decent royalty per copy sold. In my case, for example, I sell Sin & Secrecy for £2.50, Amazon takes a tiny delivery charge and their 30% cut, and the £1.60-something left over is mine.

When it comes to the paperback format, it becomes a lot harsher. In my case, the only royalty rate available is 60%, which sounds nice on the surface. You go into that thinking you can price a 500-page book at £10 per copy and make £6 per book sold. Lovely.

Actually no, not lovely. Because you have to factor in the printing cost for each book. That’s another cost that Amazon does not cover. It comes out of your 60% royalty. So a 500-page book that you sell for £10, but costs £5.86 per copy to print, leaves you 14p profit. This is why my paperback versions are priced so highly on Amazon.

GET YOUR OWN COVER DESIGNER

At the start of this video, I know I said that Amazon won’t cover the cost of your cover design. That’s not strictly true. They do have a cover creator tool, with which you can put together some perfectly adequate designs. Play around with stock photos as well if you will – I’ve seen a lot of these around on the Amazon self-published book promotion groups on Facebook. And while these authors may do very well out of these books – I don’t know – the only words that spring to mind when I see such covers are: “amateur” and “tacky”. Especially books that have “Book #4 in the XYZ detective fiction series” written on them. It looks and sounds awful. How many well-known, successful, professional-looking books have that kind of thing emblazoned on the front cover? None come to my mind.

Of all the expenses incurred in the independent publishing business, getting a professionally designed cover is the MOST IMPORANT one. The one that is most worth investing in. I hit the jackpot with both of my designers. Dan Lipski who designed Lust & Liberty’s cover did a fantastic job suggesting the mood of the piece, and he laid the groundwork from which Michał Musiałek took inspiration when designing the cover for the sequel, Sin & Secrecy. And my readers LOVE the covers – some of them as much as the content within. It tips the scale in your favour as an independent author to step up your professional game and engage a proper cover designer. At the end of the day, it’s the first thing your readers will see.

GET HELP WITH MARKETING (UNLESS YOU’RE AN EXPERT)

My main stumbling block in my literary career thus far has been marketing. I did one or two events pre-COVID, but the rest has been all online and social media based. And the results show – the books are not exactly flying off the shelves. And that’s because I did not put much – anything, really – by in the budget for proper marketing assistance.

If marketing is not your strong suit, I highly recommend consulting with someone. If it’s in the budget, pay for some services – even if it’s just to get you started. I consulted with a really good company based local to me in Bournemouth, called Ocean View Marketing. They were a great help and come highly recommended – to find out more about them, check out their website.

ENCOURAGE YOUR READERS TO LEAVE REVIEWS

The last point on the list is more relevant after you’ve finished self-publishing with Amazon.

Reviews mean a lot to an independent author anyway, as they would any businessman with a new product. And on Amazon, it’s no exception. If anything, it’s even more important on Amazon. Reviews are what people scroll down to check to see if a product is worth buying. As an author, your immediate supporters are, or should be, family and friends. So get them to chuck a review up once they’ve read it. The more reviews you have, theoretically the better it should do on Amazon’s listings.

Want to know more? Why not let me know in the comments? For more author news and views, my Facebook and Instagram pages are here.

Our latest post (and video) is more of an advice-based thing for anyone who may be getting their first professional author headshots done. Whether that’s for their new website, for a social media or digital marketing campaign, or whatever. Anyone who may have no idea where to start… I urge you to read on…

This year, I branched out from my usual photographer, Patrick Čermák. Instead collaborating with new friend Jamie Webb of JKW Media on my latest author headshots, which were taken outdoors.

First bit of advice, before the Top 5 list – get yourself a photographer that you get along with. Meet them for a coffee or something first. I was fortunate to know and have worked with Patrick for many years before he started photographing me. Meanwhile, I had actually interviewed Jamie for a couple of features on HQB News earlier in the year.

Both photographers come highly recommended and you’ll find links and so forth at the end of this article. But before you do any of that, I recommend you consider the following points.

1. MAKE SURE IT’S ON-BRAND

I brand myself as someone quite smart, professional, elegant some have said… usually in shirts and trousers, often with the waistcoat, pocketwatch, etc.

Photo by Patrick Čermák

It wouldn’t really do for me to have promo shots in T-shirts, hoodies… informal stuff, in other words. Unless your campaign is deliberately saying something about challenging your brand or doing something different, then obviously do what you like. But otherwise, consistency is the key in this business. Right down to how you look.

2. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BACKDROP

If you’re indoors, try to get your writing space into the photos (or maybe even the places around the house where you don’t work). Or parts of the house that suit what’s on show. These photos of the books were on an elegant, arguably period-looking dressing table, for example.

Photo by Patrick Čermák

Outdoor shoots open up so many other avenues. I come from Bournemouth, which has a number of remarkable sights of which to make use, plus a rich literary heritage. Try to draw on similar things if you’re having your promo photos done outside.

Photo by Jamie Webb

3. MAKE SURE YOU’RE COMFORTABLE

I tried an outdoor shoot last year and, ultimately, I could only really use four or five of the end results. The reason? I was not remotely comfortable being photographed in public, and it showed in the photos. To put it bluntly, I looked like I had sat on something very sharp the whole time.

Photo by Patrick Čermák

If you’re having your author headshots done in a public place, I’d recommend finding a photographer who uses discreet equipment. An LED light stick, for example, as opposed to a full-blown light box. Draws far less attention from the general public.

I know it may seem obvious to say, “Well if you don’t like being photographed outdoors, just stick to indoor shoots”, and there’d be nothing wrong with that. But it can run the risk of your content going a bit stale after a while. Having a mix of indoor and outdoor photos adds to the variety.

4. HAVE SHOTS OR CAPTIONS IN MIND

As many of you may know I’m a planner with a vengeance. But on this last shoot I did, I was asked to let the photographer know if I had any ideas shots-wise, and apart from knowing I wanted half with me and the Bournemouth backdrop, and half with me and the books, I had nothing. More ideas came to me as we were doing the shoot, and then I could imagine what captions were going to go with which photo and so forth.

Of course, it also depends on what you want to use the photos for. My experience aside, it definitely helps both you and the photographer to go in with some concrete ideas in mind. You’re more likely to get the most out of your shoot, which are not always the cheapest things.

5. DON’T REPEAT YOURSELF

In the interest of keeping your content fresh, try not to go for the same poses, expressions, backdrops, outfits, hairstyles, etc. That may seem like an obvious point, but I know I am guilty of making more-or-less the same face in some of my photos, for example.

With this point in mind, I say it helps to work with only one or maybe two photographers for your author headshots. As opposed to getting different ones every time. The more you build your relationship with these people, they’ll become more familiar with your brand and, most importantly, what’s been done before. Not only by you, but by other people in the same or similar field.

Useful Links

Jamie Webb has an extensive photography and videography portfolio and range of experience. You can find the pages for his company, JKW Media, on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, plus its website. In addition, if you’re interested, find out more about Jamie, his work and his views in these HQB News articles:

• Jamie Webb, Videographer & Photographer (Q&A article)
• JKW Media: New Documentary Aims to “Help Students Realise They Don’t Have to Drink to Fit In…” (News Article)
• How to Become an Influencer in 2021 (Feature with opinions and advice from various Bournemouth-based influencers)

Patrick Čermák is an experienced event, fashion and portrait photographer originally from the Czech Republic. Visit his website for more information.

Want to know more? Why not let me know in the comments? For more author news and views, my Facebook and Instagram pages are here.