Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Anyone self-published with Amazon? | Book Board
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Anyone self-published with Amazon?

Posted on 12/21/25 at 6:00 am
Posted by Allthatfades
Mississippi
Member since Aug 2014
8862 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 6:00 am
Have a novel I’ve finished and also a children’s book. For anyone that has published with Amazon, how much did it cost you? Anyone have any experience with getting illustrations done for a children’s book?
Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
22098 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 2:33 pm to
I've published twelve books through KDP - a part of Amazon.
Posted by Allthatfades
Mississippi
Member since Aug 2014
8862 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 4:22 pm to
Is it just Kindle or are paperback/hard cover copies actually available for purchase on Amazon after you are done?
Posted by GeauxLSUGeaux
1 room down from Erin Andrews
Member since May 2004
25611 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 5:49 pm to
quote:

Is it just Kindle or are paperback/hard cover copies actually available for purchase on Amazon after you are done?


There are three option when publishing on Amazon.

You will have to format each manuscript for ebook(kindle), paperback, and hardcover separately. You will also need to format your book cover depending on the size of the paperback/hard cover size you choose to go with.

From there, Amazon will handle the printing process and print on-demand.

Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
22098 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 10:09 pm to
As Geaux said, you can do all three forms at KDP: Kindle, paperback and hardcover. For one of books I did a large print addition in addition to the other three modes.
Posted by Arthur Bach
Member since Jul 2016
3032 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 10:35 pm to
Care to share what books you published?
Posted by BogDaHOg
Member since Aug 2023
39 posts
Posted on 12/24/25 at 12:28 pm to
If you want to start a store, be ready to pay around 2k for filing and legal fees.
Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
22098 posts
Posted on 12/24/25 at 3:15 pm to
quote:

If you want to start a store, be ready to pay around 2k for filing and legal fees.


I'm not sure I understand what you are saying, but I published all my books without spending a penny. I self-edited my early books; did the cover art and graphics in Photoshop. In the later books, I used EditGPT for editing and OpenArt for cover art, but I did the graphics myself—total out-of-pocket expenses to publish those books: $0.
Posted by LSUlove
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2003
600 posts
Posted on 1/10/26 at 5:30 pm to
Thanks for this info! I also just recently finished writing a young readers novel. Have you published any other way as well? Are you in any bookstores? Did you order hard copies for yourself directly from Amazon to have on hand? Do they hold any claim over your novel if you publish with them initially?
Posted by SobchakSecurity
Member since Sep 2025
59 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:35 am to
This post is great.
Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
22098 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 12:13 pm to
quote:

Have you published any other way as well? Are you in any bookstores? Did you order hard copies for yourself directly from Amazon to have on hand? Do they hold any claim over your novel if you publish with them initially?



I've used KDP exclusively for several years, but early in my writing phase, I also published with Smashwords. I keep about ten hard copies of my books on hand to send or give to various people. Amazon has no claim over your books since you hold the copyrights.
Posted by Refrigeraider
Member since Jan 2026
44 posts
Posted on 1/15/26 at 10:28 am to
May I ask how many copies you've sold?

Am thinking of self-publishing a book.
Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
22098 posts
Posted on 1/15/26 at 7:13 pm to
quote:

May I ask how many copies you've sold?


Not very many - total sales for all titles, less than 2500. I've probably given away about that many through Amazon promotions and through gifts to friends and family. I'm retired and writing stories is just a hobby.
This post was edited on 1/15/26 at 7:15 pm
Posted by Catahoula20LSU
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2011
2915 posts
Posted on 1/15/26 at 7:42 pm to
I appreciate all the good information.
How much percentage wise do you make if the books are selling for $12?
I know that for most people the satisfaction of writing a book and getting it published is what you’re after, not financial success. Sounds like this is a great way to accomplish that without a lot of expense.
Posted by Refrigeraider
Member since Jan 2026
44 posts
Posted on 1/15/26 at 9:48 pm to
Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate it.
Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
22098 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 9:58 am to
quote:

How much percentage wise do you make if the books are selling for $12?


If published as a paperback: 60% if priced $9.99 or more (40% if priced less than $9.99)

For Kindle edition, 70% if priced more than $2.99 and 35% if priced $2.99 or less.
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