Expert articles on KDP formatting, self-publishing, and book design for UK authors.
No guides match your search. Try a different term.
10 free tools for KDP authors
Interactive troubleshooting tool for Amazon KDP rejections. Select your rejection reason and get step-by-step fix instructions. Covers the top 15 rejection reasons.
Use tool →Interactive comparison of EPUB vs MOBI for Amazon KDP in 2026. Amazon deprecated MOBI in 2022 — find out which format to use with our decision tree and feature comparison.
Use tool →Interactive KDP cover template calculator. Enter trim size, page count, and paper type to get exact cover dimensions with spine width, bleed, and safe zones. Includes visual diagram.
Use tool →Interactive KDP formatting checklist you can tick off as you go. Covers interior formatting, cover setup, metadata, and upload steps. Download as PDF when complete.
Use tool →Calculate the exact gutter and outside margins required for your Amazon KDP paperback based on page count and trim size. Uses Amazon's official margin table.
Use tool →Calculate your exact Amazon KDP royalty per sale. Input list price, marketplace, page count, and ink type to see actual earnings for both paperback and Kindle eBook.
Use tool →Calculate the exact spine width for your KDP paperback. Enter page count and paper type to get precise spine measurements for your book cover design.
Use tool →Interactive guide to all Amazon KDP trim sizes. Find which trim size suits your genre with UK-specific examples, bleed options, and a filterable comparison table.
Use tool →Interactive visual comparison of white and cream paper for Amazon KDP paperbacks. See how text looks on each, compare costs, and find which suits your genre.
Use tool →Comprehensive interactive guide to formatting a Microsoft Word document for Amazon KDP paperback upload. Covers margins, fonts, headers, page breaks, TOC, and export.
Use tool →21 articles
Compare every book formatting option for self-published authors in 2026. Prices, features, turnaround times, and honest reviews of Vellum, Atticus, BookBaby, and more.
Interactive troubleshooting tool for Amazon KDP rejections. Select your rejection reason and get step-by-step fix instructions. Covers the top 15 rejection reasons.
Comprehensive interactive guide to formatting a Microsoft Word document for Amazon KDP paperback upload. Covers margins, fonts, headers, page breaks, TOC, and export.
Learn how to set up Amazon A+ Content for your KDP book listing — step-by-step guidance for UK authors on modules, images, and getting approved.
The most common KDP formatting errors and exactly how to fix them — from margin violations to embedded font issues and image resolution failures.
A practical, UK-focused guide on identifying, understanding, and fixing EPUB validation errors to ensure your eBook meets retailer standards and avoids costly rejections.
How to create a hardcover book on KDP — eligibility, setup, cover templates, and the differences between hardcover and paperback specifications.
How to create a KDP cover template that fits your trim size and page count. Includes spine width calculations and the exact Photoshop and Canva settings you need.
How to format a KDP paperback interior from scratch — page size, margins, fonts, headers, footers, and the export settings that produce a clean print-ready PDF.
A practical, UK-focused guide to fixing blurry images on Kindle Direct Publishing paperbacks, avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring professional print quality.
A no-nonsense, UK-focused guide to solving common KDP table of contents problems with practical steps, expert tips, and regional insights.
The complete UK guide to formatting a book for KDP — margins, fonts, chapter headings, TOC, and how to export a print-ready file that passes first time.
How to format a children's picture book for KDP — trim sizes, bleed settings, image resolution, and the exact file specs KDP requires for print.
Format your poetry collection for KDP with confidence. Covers line breaks, white space, trim sizes, and how to preserve your intended layout in both print and Kindle.
A practical, no-nonsense UK-focused guide on how to format an eBook for Kindle, covering tools, common mistakes, UK-specific business considerations, and professional tips.
A complete walkthrough for uploading your book to KDP — from creating your title to setting territories, pricing, and hitting publish without errors.
A detailed, no-nonsense guide for UK authors on resolving KDP quality check failures, with insider tips and UK-specific advice.
KDP rejected your book? Here are the most common reasons — cover issues, content policy violations, formatting errors — and how to fix each one fast.
A comprehensive guide to Kindle book formatting issues for UK authors — why they happen, how to diagnose them, and the fastest way to fix each one.
A brutally honest, no-nonsense guide to book trim sizes for UK authors. Avoid rookie mistakes, understand costs, and nail your book’s dimensions for print and market success.
What file formats does KDP accept? A complete guide to DOCX, PDF, and EPUB requirements for both print and Kindle, with tips on which to use and when.
19 articles
KDP Select vs wide distribution: a UK author's guide to the pros and cons of exclusivity, Kindle Unlimited income, and publishing across multiple platforms.
A no-nonsense, UK-focused comparison of Amazon KDP and Lulu for self-publishing authors, covering costs, print quality, distribution, and key pitfalls.
The best print-on-demand services for UK authors — comparing KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu, and others on cost, quality, distribution, and turnaround times.
BookBaby vs KDP: an honest comparison of costs, distribution reach, royalties, and services to help UK authors choose the right self-publishing platform.
Everything a first-time self-publisher needs to know — from writing and editing to formatting, cover design, publishing on KDP, and marketing your book.
Draft2Digital vs KDP: a UK-focused comparison of royalties, distribution, ease of use, and which platform suits different types of self-published authors.
How to choose the right Amazon book categories to maximise your visibility and bestseller chances — including how to request additional categories from KDP.
How to copyright a book in the UK — what protection you automatically have, when to register, and how to add the correct copyright notice to your book.
How to get your self-published book into UK bookshops — from working with distributors like IngramSpark to approaching independent retailers directly.
How to price your self-published book — a data-driven guide to royalty calculations, competitive pricing, and the sweet spots for UK and US markets.
A step-by-step guide to self-publishing a book on Amazon UK — account setup, ISBN options, formatting, cover requirements, pricing, and going live.
How to set up KDP Expanded Distribution — what it covers, the royalty rates, which retailers are included, and whether it's worth enabling for UK authors.
Do you need an ISBN for your KDP book in the UK? A clear explanation of ISBN requirements, where to get one free, and when it's worth buying your own.
A practical UK-focused comparison of Amazon KDP and IngramSpark for self-publishers, covering costs, distribution, ISBNs, VAT, print quality, and expert tips.
A complete breakdown of self-publishing costs in the UK — editing, cover design, formatting, ISBNs, and what you can realistically do for free.
Every self-publishing term you need to know — from ARC and bleed to royalty rate and trim size. A plain-English glossary for UK authors.
Self-publishing tax guide for UK authors — how royalties are taxed, what expenses you can claim, and whether you need to register as self-employed.
Self-publishing vs traditional publishing in the UK: an honest comparison of control, royalties, timelines, and which path makes sense for your book.
What is KDP? A beginner's guide to Kindle Direct Publishing — how it works, what you can publish, the royalty structure, and how to get started.
4 articles
Interactive KDP cover template calculator. Enter trim size, page count, and paper type to get exact cover dimensions with spine width, bleed, and safe zones. Includes visual diagram.
Interactive visual comparison of white and cream paper for Amazon KDP paperbacks. See how text looks on each, compare costs, and find which suits your genre.
How to design a book cover in Canva — the right dimensions, fonts, and export settings for KDP, plus the common mistakes that make covers look amateur.
The best free book cover design tools for self-published authors — from Canva and Adobe Express to KDP Cover Creator, compared honestly.
9 articles
A practical, UK-focused guide to Amazon Ads for authors, covering setup, optimisation, costs, and common pitfalls.
A practical, UK-focused guide to building and managing an author email list with GDPR compliance, cost breakdowns, and expert tips.
A practical, UK-focused guide to securing authentic book reviews as a self-published author, including strategies, legal considerations, and tools.
Kindle Unlimited for self-publishers — how the payment model works, what page reads earn, and whether KDP Select exclusivity is worth it for your book.
How to market a self-published book in the UK — from social media and BookTok to press coverage, bookshop events, and building a loyal readership.
A proven book launch strategy for Amazon — pre-launch steps, launch week tactics, review generation, and how to sustain momentum after day one.
How to market your book on BookTok — what content works, how to find your audience, and the strategies self-published authors are using to drive real sales.
Social media marketing for authors — which platforms work best for books, what to post, and how to build an audience without spending all day online.
How to write a book description that sells — the structure, keywords, and copywriting techniques that turn browsers into buyers on Amazon.
15 articles
Interactive KDP formatting checklist you can tick off as you go. Covers interior formatting, cover setup, metadata, and upload steps. Download as PDF when complete.
Calculate the exact gutter and outside margins required for your Amazon KDP paperback based on page count and trim size. Uses Amazon's official margin table.
Calculate your exact Amazon KDP royalty per sale. Input list price, marketplace, page count, and ink type to see actual earnings for both paperback and Kindle eBook.
Calculate the exact spine width for your KDP paperback. Enter page count and paper type to get precise spine measurements for your book cover design.
Interactive guide to all Amazon KDP trim sizes. Find which trim size suits your genre with UK-specific examples, bleed options, and a filterable comparison table.
Atticus book formatting software review — features, pricing, ease of use, and how it compares to Vellum and Scrivener for self-published authors.
The best book formatting software in 2025 — a complete roundup of Vellum, Atticus, Scrivener, Reedsy, and Kindle Create, compared for UK authors.
A comprehensive, curated resource guide featuring the best free and open-source tools for self-publishers, from EPUB editing to book formatting and metadata management.
A no-nonsense, UK-focused comparison of Calibre and Sigil for self-published authors, covering pros, cons, and practical tips for eBook formatting.
Kindle Create review — is Amazon's free formatting tool good enough for your book, or do you need something more powerful?
Kindle Create vs Vellum: a practical comparison of features, output quality, and value for self-published authors formatting for KDP.
Reedsy Book Editor review — how the free online writing and formatting tool works, what it produces, and whether it's worth using for KDP publishing.
Reedsy vs Scrivener: which writing and formatting tool is right for your book? A practical comparison for self-published authors.
Scrivener review for self-publishing — how to use it for writing, organising, and compiling your manuscript for KDP and other platforms.
A no-nonsense UK-focused comparison of Vellum and Atticus for self-published authors, covering costs, workflows, UK market specifics, and practical tips.
2 articles
Interactive comparison of EPUB vs MOBI for Amazon KDP in 2026. Amazon deprecated MOBI in 2022 — find out which format to use with our decision tree and feature comparison.
Why your KDP book isn't selling — and what to do about it. Covers keywords, categories, cover design, pricing, and the marketing changes that move the needle.