Tears of Crimson: Publishing 101

When I published my first book in 2009, I was completely clueless on how the Kindle Book publishing process began. I researched and gained most of my knowledge from trial and error. I created this page to help anyone who is going through the same thing. I'm going to give you my best tips, and hopefully make this easier for you. The first thing I'm going to share with you, was what I wish I'd had before I published my first book, a template! My Kindle Book Template

When you open this template, you're going to see my cover for a book I wrote. You'll replace this with your own book cover. Don't worry we'll go over the cover creation process too. This template is going to format your writing to fit into the Kindle book format. Basically, you'll remove the words and type your own. The template is going to give you the format and directions to write your book. If you get stuck, drop a comment and I'll try to help.

After you've written your book, you're going to need a professional editor. I can't stress enough how important this is, because reviewers will eat you alive if they notice grammatical errors. If you can't afford to go with a pro, at least consider calling your local college and see if any English majors would be willing to go over the manuscript.

So, when it comes to covers, like it or not, they sell your book. That being said, finding a great book cover creator is another must have in my opinion. Unless you are an amazing artist, hire a book cover artist. If you are making your own cover, these are the dimensions to use for your cover; 1600 x 2560 pixels, 300 DPI and JPG. This works great on Kindle. If your cover doesn’t look good as a tiny thumbnail, it won’t sell.

Author Resources: Hiring an Editor or Cover Designer

Investing in professional editing and cover design can dramatically improve your book’s credibility and sales potential.

Where to Find a Professional Book Editor

Reedsy – A curated marketplace of professional editors with traditional publishing experience.
Upwork – Post your job and review proposals from freelance editors worldwide.
Fiverr – Budget-friendly option. Always request a sample edit before hiring.

Types of Editing to Consider:

Developmental Editing (structure & big-picture feedback)
Line Editing (sentence flow & clarity)
Copyediting (grammar & punctuation)
Proofreading (final polish before publishing)

Where to Find a Professional Cover Designer

99designs – Designers compete with custom concepts.
Reedsy – High-end professional book cover designers.
Canva – DIY option for workbooks, journals, and beginner projects.

Before You Hire:

Review their portfolio carefully
Request a sample edit or concept draft
Read client reviews
Use a written agreement outlining scope & timeline

Your book cover is your first impression. Your editing is your reputation. Invest wisely.

How to Upload Your Book to Amazon KDP

Follow these steps to publish your eBook or paperback through Kindle Direct Publishing.

Step 1: Create Your KDP Account

Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in using your Amazon account. Complete your author/publisher details, tax information, and banking details before publishing.

Step 2: Start a New Title

Click "Create"
Select Kindle eBook or Paperback

Step 3: Enter Book Details

Book Title & Subtitle
Series name (if applicable)
Author name
Book description (this is your sales copy)
Keywords (7 keyword fields)
Categories (choose 2)

Tip: Strong keywords help your book appear in Amazon search results.

Step 4: Upload Your Manuscript

Upload your formatted .docx file
Or upload your print-ready PDF (for paperback)

Step 5: Upload Your Cover

Kindle eBook: Upload front cover JPEG (1600 x 2560 px recommended)
Paperback: Upload full wrap PDF (front, spine, back)

Step 6: Preview Your Book

Use the KDP Previewer tool to check formatting, margins, page breaks, and cover alignment. Fix any errors before moving forward.

Step 7: Pricing & Publish

Select your territories (Worldwide recommended)
Set your list price
Review royalty earnings
Click Publish

Your book will typically go live within 24–72 hours.

How to Find Strong Keywords for Amazon KDP

Keywords determine whether readers can find your book. Choose phrases readers are actively searching for.

Step 1: Use Amazon's Search Bar

Go to Amazon.com and begin typing phrases related to your book. The autocomplete suggestions are real search terms used by customers.

Type “clean romance…”
Type “anxiety workbook…”
Type “low carb cookbook…”

Use full phrases, not single words.

Step 2: Study Bestselling Books in Your Genre

Look at subtitles
Notice repeated descriptive phrases
Review their book descriptions
Check “Customers Also Bought”

Patterns in successful books often reveal strong keyword language.

Step 3: Use Keyword Tools (Optional)

Publisher Rocket – Research search volume and competition
Google Trends – Compare phrase popularity

What Makes a Strong KDP Keyword?

2–5 words long
Clear and specific
Matches reader intent
Describes genre or topic accurately
Not overly broad

What NOT to Use

Other author names
The word “bestseller”
Misleading or unrelated terms
Repetitive single words

If readers can’t find your book, they can’t buy it. Keywords are your visibility strategy.

I hope this helps get you started in the world of self-publishing. If you have questions, again put them in the comments, and I'll try my best to answer them. Wishing you the best of luck. Oh! Don't forget to drop a comment here when you publish your book, I'd love to share it with my readers!!!!

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Publishing 101