Amazon’s global eCommerce platform allows customers to find virtually any product they can imagine and have it shipped to them at a rapid pace.
As Amazon continues to expand, it’s welcoming more small businesses to use its platform, such as KDP.
But if you’ve never heard of Amazon KDP, you’re probably asking, what is KDP, and how do people use it? If you’d like to learn more about this topic, then keep reading!
What Is Amazon KDP In 2024?
Amazon KDP is a service that allows authors to self-publish eBooks and paperbacks for free across a wide array of genres as of 2024. Authors can get paid using direct deposit, wire transfer, or check to receive their royalties. Currently, you cannot publish magazines, spiral-bound books, or periodicals with Amazon KDP.
If you want to learn more details about Amazon KDP, such as how long it takes for authors to get paid and how you can publish a book using KDP, keep on reading for more interesting information!
What Is Amazon’s KDP Service?
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is a service that allows people to self-publish a wide array of books for free.
Amazon provides authors direct access to their book on Amazon and a detailed product page so other customers can purchase the book.
Additionally, Amazon KDP allows authors to expand their book’s availability to reach a global scale, offering the opportunity for more sales and greater access to the book.
Further, when authors use KDP to publish their books, they have full rights to their work, which is rare amongst other publishing houses.
What Can You Publish With Amazon KDP?
One of the convenient things about KDP is that Amazon allows you to publish various books in eBook or paperback format.
For example, some of the content types you can print using KDP include the following:
- Novels
- Book Series
- Children’s Books
- Comics
- Cookbooks
- Journals
- Poetry
- Textbooks
However, KDP doesn’t allow you to publish spiral-bound books, periodicals, or magazines at this time.
So, while there are several types of books you can publish with KDP, Amazon does have some limitations.
Can You Use KDP for Content That’s Already Published?
Amazon allows you to use KDP for content that’s already been published.
However, keep in mind that you must own the rights to your book before you can use KDP if the book has been published elsewhere in the past.
Further, if your book already has an ISBN from a publisher other than Amazon, it must have the same title, author name, and binding type on KDP for you to continue using the ISBN.
So, if you change any details of your book, it will need to be a different edition and have a new ISBN before you can use KDP.
How Do You Publish Something With Amazon KDP?
Fortunately, Amazon makes the process for publishing your book with KDP pretty simple compared to other publishers.
First, you have to create an Amazon KDP account, which you can find on Amazon’s website. After you create an account, you need to submit the proper author, payment, and tax information.
Moreover, Amazon asks for tax information so it can pay you royalties and have the necessary information for tax reporting purposes.
How Does Amazon KDP Pay Authors?
Amazon allows authors to choose how to get paid for their book sales through direct deposit, wire transfer, or check.
As you set up a KDP account, the site will ask you to provide details on how you’d like to receive your royalty payments.
However, keep in mind that some payment methods require a minimum payment threshold before you can receive your money.
So, if you don’t want to wait to reach a certain payment threshold, it’s best to go with direct deposit, as there’s no minimum balance you have to reach.
Regardless of which payment method you choose, Amazon will pay you 60 days after the end of every month.
Are There Minimum Payment Thresholds With Amazon KDP?
If authors choose to be paid via wire transfer or by check, there are minimum payment thresholds. However, there is no minimum royalty threshold if authors use direct deposit.
So, if you choose a payment method with a minimum threshold, Amazon won’t pay you until your royalty earnings exceed the designated amount.
1. Getting Paid Via Direct Deposit
As previously mentioned, there’s no minimum payment threshold you have to reach if you choose to get paid via direct deposit.
Instead, Amazon pays your author royalties in full no matter the amount that’s accrued.
However, make sure you check with your bank to ensure the conversion meets the minimum amount the bank will allow Amazon to send.
2. Getting Paid Via Wire Transfer or Check
If you choose to receive payments via a wire transfer or a check, the minimum threshold you’ll need to reach is $100. After hitting this mark, you’ll get your money.
How Long Does It Take Amazon KDP to Pay You?
Depending on how you choose to receive payments, the amount of time it will take for the money to appear in your account varies.
1. Direct Deposit
If you use direct deposit to receive your KDP royalties, payments should take one to five business days to reach your bank account from the original payment date.
However, if your bank happens to be located in India, Amazon says the direct deposit can take between seven and ten business days from the original payment date.
2. Wire Transfer
On the other hand, if you choose to receive payments via a wire transfer, the payment can take between five and ten business days to appear in your bank account from the original payment date.
So, if you don’t see your money after ten days, make sure you check that you’ve reached the payment threshold before contacting Amazon customer support.
3. Check
When it comes to getting paid via check, Amazon says that delivery time varies greatly depending on your location.
Further, it can take up to 30 days for a check from KDP to reach your address after the specified payment date.
As you can imagine, getting paid by check isn’t very popular with KDP authors because it can take so long to get your money. However, if you don’t mind waiting, it’s certainly a viable option.
Also, if it’s been longer than 30 days and you still haven’t seen your check in the mail, make sure the address you entered is correct and that you’ve reached the minimum payment threshold.
Does Amazon KDP Withhold Taxes?
Under US tax regulations, Amazon has to collect information about your tax status and withhold a certain amount of money from your earnings in the form of taxes.
Also, before you can publish a book with KDP, Amazon must receive and validate your tax information.
Fortunately, Amazon provides you with a step-by-step guide while entering your tax information to make the process less confusing and less of a hassle.
Moreover, the amount of tax withholding will vary depending on whether you live in the United States or another country.
To know more about Amazon, you can also see our posts on the Amazon eBook return policy, Amazon Kindle return policy, and Amazon book rental.
Conclusion
Amazon offers its KDP service as an easy way for authors to self-publish eBooks or paperbacks for free, something other publishers don’t usually do. With KDP, authors can easily publish novels, poetry, textbooks, and other genres.
Additionally, Amazon pays author royalties in the form of direct deposit, wire transfer, or check, depending on the author’s preference.
