Pricing, Royalties, Payments and Growing Your KDP Book

Part 1 covered the practical preparation stage: creating your KDP account, completing your identity and tax information, preparing the manuscript, formatting the book, creating the cover, choosing metadata and submitting the book.

Part 2 focuses on what happens after the book is ready: pricing, royalties, payments, KDP Select, Kindle Unlimited, selling outside Amazon, promotion, common mistakes, and how KDP compares with other publishing options.

How Much Does It Cost to Publish on KDP?

One of the biggest attractions of Amazon KDP is that you do not pay Amazon a publishing fee to upload your book.

KDP allows authors to self-publish ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers for free.

However, “free to publish” does not mean that publishing a professional book costs nothing.

You may still spend money on:

• Manuscript editing
• Proofreading
• Book formatting
• Cover design
• ISBNs
• Author branding
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Professional publishing assistance

For print books, Amazon deducts the printing cost from the amount generated by a sale before calculating your royalty.

This is particularly important when pricing a paperback or hardcover. A book that sells for $15 is not necessarily going to give the author a percentage of the full $15 as profit.

KDP Ebook Royalties

KDP currently offers two main ebook royalty options:

• 35% royalty
• 70% royalty

The 70% option is subject to eligibility requirements, including applicable pricing requirements and sales territories.

Under the 70% option, Amazon deducts applicable VAT and a delivery cost from the amount used to calculate the royalty. Amazon currently describes the average delivery cost as approximately $0.06 per unit, although the actual cost varies according to the file size. Sales outside the eligible 70% territories receive the 35% rate.

This is why the old explanation that “Amazon simply gives you 70% of whatever price you choose” is incomplete.

The actual calculation depends on:

Royalty rate × (list price − applicable VAT) − delivery cost

for eligible 70% sales.

The $2.99–$9.99 Rule

Many authors have heard that Kindle ebooks must be priced between $2.99 and $9.99 to qualify for the 70% royalty.

This remains an important pricing range for ebooks sold in US dollars, but authors should not treat it as a universal rule for every marketplace and currency.

KDP applies marketplace-specific pricing and royalty conditions.

Therefore, when publishing, look at the Royalty & Pricing section inside KDP rather than relying on an old article or a pricing rule someone posted online several years ago.

KDP will show you the applicable royalty options for your book and chosen marketplaces.

Example of Ebook Royalty

Suppose you price an eligible Kindle ebook at $4.99.

At a simplified level, a 70% royalty would be approximately:

70% × $4.99 = $3.49

But this is not necessarily the amount you will actually receive.

Amazon first accounts for applicable VAT and, under the 70% option, delivery costs.

Therefore, the final royalty can be lower than the simple $3.49 calculation.

This distinction matters when planning your income.

Paperback KDP Royalties

Paperback royalties work differently from ebook royalties.

Amazon’s current calculation is essentially:

Royalty = royalty rate × list price − printing costs

The printing cost depends on things such as:

• Page count
• Trim size
• Ink type
• Marketplace
• Paper type
• Book format

Amazon provides a Printing Cost & Royalty Calculator that allows authors to estimate these costs before publishing.

This means you should never choose a paperback price simply by looking at what similar books are selling for.

First calculate whether the price leaves enough royalty after Amazon’s printing cost.

Hardcover Royalties

Hardcover royalties also take printing costs into account.

Amazon currently offers 50% and 60% royalty rates for hardcovers, depending on the list price and the marketplace where the hardcover is sold.

The printing cost is deducted when calculating your royalty.

For example, a relatively expensive hardcover may have a higher royalty rate than a lower-priced hardcover, but the final amount still depends on the production cost.

Again, Amazon’s Printing Cost & Royalty Calculator is the safest way to estimate the actual amount you will receive.

KDP Payment in Nigeria

This is one of the areas where information published about KDP and Nigeria has become outdated.

For years, Nigerian authors were often told that they needed a foreign bank account to receive Amazon KDP royalties.

That is no longer the correct general description of the current KDP payment options.

Amazon’s current KDP payment table lists Nigeria as eligible for wire transfer in Nigerian naira (NGN).

So a Nigerian author can use a Nigerian bank account for KDP royalty payments, subject to Amazon’s payment requirements and the bank’s ability to receive the transfer.

This is a significant improvement for Nigerian authors because you do not need to establish a US or UK bank account simply to participate in KDP.

But there is an important distinction

Nigeria is currently listed for:

Wire transfer: NGN

rather than:

Direct deposit/EFT: NGN

Therefore, an article should not tell Nigerian authors that Amazon pays their KDP royalties through Nigerian direct deposit.

Amazon’s payment system distinguishes between direct deposit/EFT and wire transfer. Wire payments can also involve payment thresholds, bank charges and currency conversion considerations.

How Long Does Amazon Take to Pay KDP Royalties?

KDP does not normally pay an author immediately after a customer purchases a book.

Amazon states that royalties are generally paid approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale was reported, provided the applicable payment requirements and thresholds have been met. Expanded Distribution royalties can take approximately 90 days.

For example, if an eligible sale is reported during January, the corresponding royalty is generally paid around the end of March.

For Nigerian authors receiving wire transfers, Amazon says wire payments can take approximately 5–10 days after the payment is issued to reach the bank account.

Therefore, do not expect KDP to function like a normal Nigerian ecommerce platform where you receive your money immediately after a customer pays.

Make Sure Your Bank Information Is Correct

A common reason for failed KDP payments is an incorrect mismatch between the information in KDP and the information held by the bank.

Amazon specifically warns that bank information should match the bank’s records. If the account holder information does not match, the bank may reject the transfer.

This is particularly important for Nigerian authors using a business account.

If your KDP account is set up for a company, make sure you understand whether the payment information is being entered under the appropriate individual or business details.

And remember:

Your pen name should not be used as the bank account holder name.

You can publish under a pen name, but your legal and banking information must remain accurate.

Do Nigerian Authors Pay Tax on KDP Income?

Yes.

KDP income is not automatically tax-free simply because the author lives in Nigeria.

Amazon requires publishers to provide tax information and states that publishers may have tax obligations relating to their KDP income.

There can also be US tax withholding on applicable royalty income.

For non-US authors, the rate depends on the author’s circumstances and applicable US tax rules. Amazon explains that non-US residents may qualify for reduced or zero US withholding in certain circumstances, including where an applicable tax treaty applies.

You should therefore complete the KDP tax questionnaire accurately rather than trying to find a way around it.

There are two separate questions to consider:

1. How much, if anything, does Amazon withhold before paying you?
2. What Nigerian tax obligations apply to your income?

Those are not necessarily the same thing.

If your KDP income becomes substantial, speak with a qualified Nigerian tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Can You Sell Your KDP Book Outside Amazon?

Yes, unless you choose an arrangement that requires exclusivity.

This distinction is extremely important.

Publishing an ebook through ordinary KDP does not automatically mean that Amazon owns your book or that you can never sell it elsewhere.

You can generally distribute your ebook through other platforms, subject to the terms of those platforms and any specific programme you have enrolled in.

However, KDP Select is different.

What Is KDP Select?

KDP Select is an optional programme for Kindle ebooks.

It is free to enrol in and provides additional opportunities for authors to reach Kindle readers, including access to Kindle Unlimited and promotional tools.

But there is a major condition:

Your enrolled ebook must be exclusive to Amazon during the KDP Select enrolment period.

Amazon requires the author to have exclusive rights to the primary content and restricts distribution of that digital book elsewhere while it is enrolled.

This means you should understand KDP Select before clicking the enrolment option.

What Is Kindle Unlimited?

Kindle Unlimited, commonly called KU, is Amazon’s subscription reading service.

Subscribers pay Amazon a monthly subscription fee and can read eligible Kindle ebooks included in the programme.

Authors whose books are enrolled in KDP Select can earn from the KDP Select Global Fund when Kindle Unlimited subscribers read their books.

The amount earned is not simply a fixed royalty per book downloaded.

Instead, earnings are based on eligible pages read under Amazon’s Kindle Edition Normalized Page Count system and the applicable KDP Select earnings calculation. Amazon publishes monthly information about the KDP Select Global Fund.

For authors writing long-form fiction or nonfiction, KU can therefore provide another way for readers to discover and consume the book.

But the author must weigh that benefit against the exclusivity requirement.

Should a Nigerian Author Join KDP Select?

There is no universal answer.

KDP Select may make sense if your primary objective is to build an Amazon-focused readership and take advantage of Kindle Unlimited.

It may be less suitable if you want to sell your ebook simultaneously through platforms such as:

• Your own website
• Selar
• Kobo
• Apple Books
• Other ebook retailers
• Other digital distribution platforms

If you want broad digital distribution, carefully consider the exclusivity terms before enrolling.

Can You Publish Your Book on Amazon and Sell Physical Copies Yourself?

Yes.

KDP does not prevent you from owning physical copies of your book and selling them yourself.

For example, a Nigerian author could publish a paperback through KDP for international Amazon customers while also printing copies locally for:

• Book launches
• Schools
• Churches
• Corporate organisations
• Bookstores
• Events
• Direct sales
• Nigerian readers

This is one of the reasons KDP can work particularly well as one part of a broader publishing strategy, rather than necessarily being the author’s only publishing channel.

Who Can Buy Your KDP Book?

Your potential readers are not limited to Nigeria.

Amazon operates multiple marketplaces, and KDP allows authors to make eligible books available to customers in different countries.

This is one of the major advantages of Amazon KDP for Nigerian writers.

A Nigerian author writing about Nigerian history, African fiction, migration, entrepreneurship, Christianity, relationships, education, culture or other subjects can potentially reach:

• Readers in Nigeria
• Nigerians living abroad
• African readers
• African diaspora communities
• International readers interested in African literature
• Global readers searching for the book’s subject

However, being available on Amazon does not automatically mean people will discover the book.

That is where marketing becomes important.

How to Promote a KDP Book

Publishing is only the beginning.

Amazon provides promotional and advertising tools, but authors should also develop their own audience.

Some useful strategies include:

1. Build an author website

Your website gives you a platform that is not dependent entirely on Amazon.

You can publish:

• Your biography
• Books
• Articles
• Interviews
• Reviews
• Events
• Media appearances
• Contact information
• Links to Amazon

2. Build an email list

An email list gives you direct access to readers who have expressed interest in your work.

3. Use social media

Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X can help create awareness around a book.

4. Seek reviews

Genuine reviews can help establish credibility and give prospective readers additional information when deciding whether to buy.

5. Use Amazon Advertising where appropriate

Amazon Ads can help place eligible books in front of readers searching for relevant books or browsing related titles.

Advertising should be approached as a business decision rather than simply spending money because a book is not selling.

6. Promote outside Amazon

For Nigerian authors, promotion can also happen through:

• Nigerian media
• Book clubs
• Universities
• Churches
• Schools
• Literary events
• Author interviews
• Podcasts
• Blogs
• Local bookstores
• Direct author communities

The strongest strategy is usually not “Amazon versus everything else.”

It is Amazon plus an author platform.

Common KDP Mistakes

Many KDP problems are avoidable.

1. Publishing an unedited manuscript

KDP makes publishing easy. It does not make a poorly edited book professional.

A book with grammar errors, weak structure and inconsistent formatting can receive poor reviews even if Amazon accepts it.

2. Using a poor cover

Readers judge books visually.

A technically acceptable cover can still be commercially weak.

Your cover should communicate the genre, subject and positioning of the book.

3. Using the wrong interior format

A paperback manuscript should not simply be uploaded as though it were a Kindle ebook.

Print and digital books have different formatting requirements.

4. Ignoring the previewer

Never assume the uploaded file looks exactly as it did on your computer.

Always inspect the final version.

5. Choosing the wrong categories

Irrelevant categories may violate Amazon’s requirements and can also put your book in front of the wrong readers.

6. Using weak keywords

Keywords should reflect what genuine readers might search for.

7. Pricing without calculating royalties

A low price is not automatically a good price.

For print books especially, the printing cost can consume a significant portion of the selling price.

8. Confusing KDP Select with KDP

They are not the same thing.

KDP is Amazon’s publishing platform.

KDP Select is an optional programme for Kindle ebooks with additional benefits and exclusivity requirements.

9. Using incorrect legal information

Your KDP legal identity, tax information and bank information should be accurate.

Your author pen name can be different. Amazon explicitly allows pen names.

10. Believing that publishing automatically creates sales

This is perhaps the biggest mistake.

Amazon gives you access to a marketplace.

It does not guarantee that readers will discover your book.

KDP vs Traditional Publishing

The two models are fundamentally different.

Neither model is automatically better for every author.

Traditional publishing can offer editorial support, distribution networks, industry expertise and prestige.

KDP offers control, speed and direct access to Amazon.

KDP vs Self-Publishing With a Nigerian Publisher

This is a particularly important distinction for Nigerian authors.

KDP is a publishing platform.

A Nigerian self-publishing company is a service provider or publishing partner.

They are not necessarily competing products.

An author can use professional publishing services to prepare a book and then publish the finished ebook or print book through the author’s KDP account.

For example, a Nigerian author may work with Black Tower Publishers for:

• Manuscript editing
• Book formatting
• Cover design
• Book printing
• Ebook preparation
• Author branding
• Publishing consultation
• Promotion
• Distribution

The author can then publish the properly prepared ebook or print files through KDP.

This can be useful for authors who want the control of self-publishing but do not want to handle every technical aspect themselves.

When KDP May Be the Better Choice

KDP can be particularly attractive if you:

• Want direct access to Amazon
• Want to publish quickly
• Want control over pricing
• Want to retain publishing control
• Have a professionally prepared manuscript
• Are comfortable marketing your book
• Want international Amazon distribution
• Want Kindle, paperback or hardcover editions

When Working With a Nigerian Publishing Company May Be Better

Professional publishing assistance can make more sense if you:

• Have never published a book before
• Need professional editing
• Need professional formatting
• Need a cover designed
• Need help preparing the ebook
• Want physical copies printed in Nigeria
• Need help with book promotion
• Want help developing your author brand
• Do not want to handle the technical publishing process yourself

For many authors, the best approach is not to choose one or the other.

It can be:

Professional publishing preparation + Amazon KDP distribution + local Nigerian distribution and marketing.

Do I Need to Copyright My Book Before Publishing on KDP?

You should understand the difference between copyright ownership and copyright registration.

Copyright generally arises from creating an original work. Publishing it on KDP does not itself create copyright ownership.

You do not need to obtain a copyright certificate simply to upload a book to KDP.

However, authors should take reasonable steps to protect and document their work and should understand the copyright laws applicable to their country and target markets.

If you are dealing with a copyright dispute or need formal legal advice, consult a qualified intellectual-property lawyer.

How Long Does KDP Take to Approve a Book?

There is no single guaranteed approval time that applies to every book.

Amazon reviews submitted books before making them available.

The process can take longer when Amazon needs to investigate a content, quality, metadata, identity or account issue.

A book that passes without complications may become available relatively quickly, while a book requiring corrections can take longer.

Therefore, authors should plan around the review process rather than promising a specific publication time.

If you have a launch date, submit the book sufficiently early to allow time for corrections.

How Nigerian Authors Can Publish on Amazon Successfully

Publishing the book should be treated as a project with several stages.

Stage 1: Write

Complete the manuscript.

Stage 2: Edit

Have the manuscript professionally edited and proofread.

Stage 3: Design

Create a professional cover and interior.

Stage 4: Format

Prepare separate files for Kindle, paperback and hardcover where applicable.

Stage 5: Set up KDP

Create your account and complete:

• Identity information
• Payment information
• Tax information

Stage 6: Add the book

Enter:

• Title
• Subtitle
• Author
• Description
• Keywords
• Categories
• Publishing rights

Stage 7: Upload

Upload the manuscript and cover.

Stage 8: Preview

Inspect the ebook and print editions carefully.

Stage 9: Price

Calculate the royalty rather than choosing a price randomly.

Stage 10: Publish

Submit the book for Amazon’s review.

Stage 11: Verify

Once published, check the live Amazon listing.

Look at:

• Cover
• Description
• Author name
• Categories
• Pricing
• Formats
• Sample
• Buy button
• Author page where applicable

Stage 12: Market

Drive qualified readers to the Amazon listing.

Stage 13: Analyse

Monitor:

• Orders
• Royalties
• Page reads where applicable
• Advertising performance
• Reviews
• Rankings
• Customer response

Then improve your marketing strategy.

Can KDP Replace a Nigerian Publisher?

Not necessarily.

KDP solves one part of the publishing problem: getting a book onto Amazon.

It does not automatically provide:

• Professional manuscript editing
• Nigerian book printing
• Nigerian bookstore distribution
• Author branding
• Local publicity
• Book launch management
• Local sales representatives
• Editorial development
• Nigerian school distribution
• Local event promotion

This is why authors should distinguish between publishing on Amazon and building a successful publishing business around a book.

A Nigerian author can use KDP to reach Amazon customers while using local publishing and marketing channels to reach Nigerian readers.

The Biggest Advantage of KDP for Nigerian Authors

The biggest advantage is not simply that it is easy to upload a book.

It is access.

A Nigerian author can create a book in Nigeria and make it available to customers shopping on Amazon without first having to convince a traditional publisher to acquire the manuscript.

The author controls the publishing process and can potentially reach readers outside Nigeria.

And with Amazon’s current payment options, Nigerian authors can use eligible Nigerian bank accounts for KDP royalty payments in NGN through wire transfer.

That removes one of the barriers that previously made KDP more complicated for many Nigerian authors.

Frequently Asked Questions About KDP in Nigeria

Can I publish a book on Amazon from Nigeria?

Yes. Nigerian authors can use KDP to publish ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers.

Do I need a US bank account?

No. Amazon’s current KDP payment table lists Nigeria for NGN wire transfer payments, so an eligible Nigerian bank account can be used.

Does Amazon pay Nigerian authors directly into their bank accounts?

Amazon currently lists Nigeria under wire transfer, rather than direct deposit/EFT. The payment is therefore a bank wire rather than a standard local direct deposit.

Do I need a foreign bank account?

No, not simply to use KDP.

Do I need an ISBN for a Kindle ebook?

No. KDP assigns an ASIN to Kindle ebooks.

Do paperbacks need ISBNs?

Generally, yes. KDP can provide a free ISBN for eligible paperback books, or you can use your own ISBN.

Can I publish paperback and hardcover versions?

Yes, where the selected specifications and marketplace support them.

Can I publish the same book as an ebook and paperback?

Yes.

Can I sell my book outside Amazon?

Yes, unless you have enrolled the ebook in a programme such as KDP Select that imposes exclusivity requirements.

Can I use a pen name?

Yes. Your legal KDP account information must remain accurate, while your pen name can be entered as the author name.

Does KDP edit my book?

No. Amazon provides the publishing platform, but authors are responsible for the quality of their manuscripts.

Does Amazon design my cover?

No. You are responsible for providing an appropriate cover, although KDP provides tools and templates to assist with cover creation.

How much money can I make?

There is no guaranteed amount.

Your income depends on factors such as:

• Book price
• Royalty rate
• Number of sales
• Marketplace
• Format
• Printing costs
• Advertising
• Reviews
• Book quality
• Audience size
• Genre
• Marketing
• Kindle Unlimited page reads, where applicable

Publishing a book on Amazon does not guarantee sales.

Final Thoughts: Is Amazon KDP Worth It for Nigerian Authors?

Yes, KDP can be an excellent option for Nigerian authors, but it should not be confused with a complete publishing and marketing solution.

KDP gives authors access to Amazon’s global marketplace and allows them to publish ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers without paying Amazon an upfront publishing fee. It also gives authors considerable control over their books.

For Nigerian authors, the process has become more practical because Amazon currently supports Nigerian bank accounts for KDP royalty payments through NGN wire transfers.

But successful publishing requires more than opening an account.

A professionally edited manuscript, strong cover, correct formatting, effective metadata, appropriate pricing, good marketing and a genuine understanding of your target readers all matter.

The best way to think about KDP is this:

KDP gets your book onto Amazon. Your publishing strategy gets readers to the book.

For a Nigerian author, that strategy can combine Amazon KDP for international reach, local printing and distribution for Nigerian readers, and professional publishing and author-branding support to build a long-term career around the book.