With us, give wings to your words!

In this blogpost, we decode Amazon Publishing for Indian authors.

For Indian authors today, Amazon Publishing has become one of the most accessible, flexible, and powerful ways to share their stories with readers around the world. Whether you are writing fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, the platform offers you the chance to take control of your publishing journey, from manuscript to marketing, without waiting for a traditional publishing house to notice you.

But what exactly is Amazon Publishing, how does it work, and is it really the right fit for Indian authors? Let’s break it down.

What Is Amazon Publishing?

Before diving in, it’s important to distinguish between two terms often used interchangeably: Amazon Publishing (APub) and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).

• Amazon Publishing (APub) is Amazon’s traditional publishing division, which operates like any other major publishing house — it selects, edits, designs, and promotes books under its own imprints (such as Thomas & Mercer, Montlake, and 47North). Authors here are invited or selected, not self-published.
• Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), on the other hand, is Amazon’s self-publishing platform, where any author can upload their manuscript and make it available to readers worldwide in both eBook and paperback formats.

When Indian authors say Amazon publishing, they usually mean publishing via KDP, a platform that’s made publishing more democratic and inclusive.

Why Indian Authors Are Choosing Amazon KDP

Over the last decade, KDP has changed the publishing landscape for Indian writers. Earlier, authors had to wait for months (sometimes years) for a response from traditional publishers. Now, with KDP, they can go live with their books in a matter of days.

Here’s why it’s become so popular:

1. Accessibility: Anyone with a finished manuscript and a good cover can publish a book in a few simple steps.
2. Cost-effective: There are no upfront fees to publish. Amazon takes a small commission on sales instead.
3. Global reach: Your book instantly becomes available on Amazon India, Amazon US, UK, and other global marketplaces.
4. Royalties: Authors earn up to 70% royalties on eBooks (depending on pricing and distribution).
5. Creative control: You decide your cover, title, pricing, and categories.

For authors writing in regional languages, Amazon has also made it possible to publish in Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Malayalam, and Bengali, allowing local voices to find global readers.

Recommended Reads: How to Get Your Book on Amazon

The Step-by-Step Process

Amazon Publishing is simpler than it looks:

1. Create a KDP Account: Log in with your Amazon credentials at kdp.amazon.com.
2. Prepare Your Manuscript: Ensure your book is professionally edited and formatted (Word or PDF for paperback, .mobi/.epub for Kindle).
3. Design a Cover: You can upload your own or use KDP’s free cover creator.
4. Add Book Details: Enter title, author name, keywords, book description (your blurb), and categories.
5. Upload and Preview: Upload your manuscript and cover, then preview your book to ensure formatting looks clean.
6. Set Pricing and Royalties: Choose where to sell and how much to charge. You can opt for 35% or 70% royalties depending on the list price.
7. Publish: Once approved, your book usually goes live within 24–72 hours.

Marketing and Visibility: The Real Challenge

Here’s where most authors hit a roadblock. Publishing on Amazon is easy, getting noticed is not.

With thousands of books uploaded daily, authors must invest in keywords, book descriptions, categories, and advertising to make their titles visible. Amazon’s own advertising platform — Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) allows authors to run ads targeting readers searching for similar books.

However, this requires research and optimization. Many authors in India collaborate with book marketing experts to run campaigns that actually convert into sales.

Recommended Reads: Amazon Ads for Authors

Understanding Royalties and Payments

Amazon pays royalties based on where your book sells and in what format:

• eBook: 35% or 70% of the list price (depending on pricing tier and country).
• Paperback: Around 60% of the list price minus printing costs.

Payments are made monthly, approximately 60 days after the end of each month’s sales, and can be directly credited to your Indian bank account.

The Pros of Amazon Publishing

• You retain rights: Unlike traditional publishers, KDP does not claim ownership of your book.
• You can update your book anytime: Fix typos, change the cover, or adjust pricing with ease.
• Analytics and transparency: Real-time sales data helps you track performance.
• Availability: Your book never goes out of print.

The Cons of Amazon Publishing

• You are the publisher: You handle everything — editing, design, marketing, and distribution.
• Competition is fierce: Without proper promotion, your book can easily get buried.
• Limited offline reach: Unless you invest in additional distribution, your book may not reach bookstores.
• Discoverability takes time: It can take months of consistent marketing to see traction.

Amazon vs Traditional Publishing: What Works Better for You?

Aspect	Amazon KDP	Traditional Publishing
Control	Complete control over everything	Publisher decides everything
Time to publish	24–72 hours	6 months to 2 years
Royalties	Up to 70%	Usually 7–15%
Marketing support	Self-managed	Limited but structured
Distribution	Primarily online	Online + bookstores

If you want creative control, speed, and flexibility, Amazon KDP is your best bet.

If you prefer industry validation and curated editorial support, traditional publishing may suit you better.

What Amazon Publishing Means for Indian Writers

For Indian authors, Amazon has opened doors that didn’t exist 15 years ago. Regional writers, debut authors, and niche genre creators, from mythology retellings to indie romance, are finding their space. The ease of self-publishing means that literary ambition is no longer tied to industry gatekeeping.

But success on Amazon isn’t about publishing. It is about persistence, patience, and smart marketing. Whether it’s running Amazon ads, collecting authentic reviews, or optimizing keywords, every step counts.

Amazon publishing has democratized Indian storytelling. Yet, it’s not a shortcut, but a system. The best authors use it as a launchpad, combining creative writing with strategic marketing.

If you are an Indian author looking to publish your book professionally on Amazon, from formatting and cover design to SEO keywords and AMS advertising our team at Keemiya Creatives can help you every step of the way.