Creating An Amazon KDP Account for Authors

The complete guide to setting up an Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing Account for Authors

If you’re an Australian or New Zealand self-published author and need help creating an Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) account, this is the guide for you. If you want to sell your book through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you’ll need to create an account.

Luckily, creating an Amazon KDP account isn’t overly complicated. You just need to know what information to have ready as you make your way through the setup process. In the following guide to creating an Amazon KDP account, we’ll cover:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Getting Started with Amazon KDP Setup
               2. Filling Out Your Author/Publisher Information
               3. Payment Information
               4. Adding Tax Information
               5. Comparison of Amazon KDP and IngramSpark Publishing

If you’re just getting started in the world of self-publishing, be sure to check out Kindle Direct Publishing For Australian Authors, your complete guide to Amazon KDP for Australian and New Zealand self-published authors.

Getting Started with Amazon KDP Setup

The first step will be creating an Amazon KDP account, and to do this, you’ll need to follow the steps below:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Visit Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
               2. Once you’re on the main page, hit the Join KDP button on the main screen.
               3. Fill in the required information, including your name, email address, and a secure password.

Starting an Amazon KDP account is that simple. Make sure that you use an email address that you have permanent access to, not a work or school email address. If you lose access to your Amazon KDP account, it can be extremely difficult to regain access to it. If you’re locked out of the account, you won’t be able to see royalties, adjust book settings, or create and self-publish new book titles under that account in the future.

Filling Out Your Author/Publisher Information

The next step in the process of creating an Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) account is setting up your profile. Once you’ve set up the account, you’ll be prompted to complete the full process.

You need to put in your full and last name along with the name of your publishing company. Don’t worry if you haven’t set up a publishing company yet. You can still add the name. However, changing the name later can be difficult, so keep this in mind. It’s important to note that at this stage of the setup process, you are required to enter your legal name for taxation and income reporting purposes.

Next, you’ll be asked whether you’re operating as an individual business or a corporation.

Next, they’ll ask you to give either your date of birth or the date your company or corporation was incorporated.

Finally, enter the mailing address that you want to be used for taxation purposes.

Hit the save button and this part of the setup process is complete.

Payment Information

The next step in the process is to set up your payment information so that when you make a book sale, you can receive your royalty payments. You have a few different payment options to receive your royalties, including direct deposit, cheques, or wire transfers.

To add your banking information to your Amazon KDP account, you’ll need to:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Open up your Internet Explorer browser and sign into the Amazon KDP account. You may have to complete a two-step verification by entering a code that is either texted or emailed to you.
               2. Navigate to the ‘Getting Paid’ tab and click on the “Add Bank Account’ button.
               3. Add your bank account information, which should include the account number and BSB for your country or region.

If you can’t see your region, Amazon KDP may not support direct deposits or wire transfers. You can check out the Amazon KDP Payment Options to learn more about the payment options that are available to you.

When you are putting your name in under the account holder’s name section, it must match the name associated with the bank account. When you’ve entered all your banking information, hit the ‘Add’ button to save it and you should get a green tick mark which notifies you that you have successfully entered your bank account information. Once you’ve added everything, just hit the save button.

Adding Tax Information When Creating An Amazon KDP Account

Regardless of whether you are incorporated, tax-exempt, or not-for-profit, you are required to provide Amazon KDP with a valid tax identification number. In the steps below, we’ll cover adding your tax information:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Once you sign into your Amazon KDP account, navigate to the ‘Tax Information’ tab.
               2. Click on the ‘Complete Tax Information’ tab. As a self-publisher located outside of the United States, you will want to claim the tax treaty benefits. As an Australian individual, you are entitled to receive a 25% reduction, reducing your total tax paid on royalties to only 5% instead of 30%.
               3. Answer any of the remaining tax information questions and then once you’re done, hit the ‘Exit Tax Interview’ button.

If you want to learn more about taxes and how they apply to Australian and New Zealand authors who self-publish on Amazon KDP, check out their Tax Information page on the website.

Comparison of Amazon KDP and IngramSpark Publishing

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark Publishing are both Print On Demand (POD) distribution services, but each platform has its own pros and cons.

To learn more about Print On Demand services, check out What Is Print On Demand for Authors?

Amazon KDP offers a distribution and POD service that’s exclusive to their platform, and it allows Australian and New Zealand authors to sell both ebooks and print books online on all global Amazon marketplaces.

IngramSpark Publishing will open up a much broader distribution channel. These distribution channels include Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Libraries, Brick and Mortar stores, and much more. You can check out the full list of IngramSpark Distributors here.

One of the advantages of Amazon KDP is that it is a very established online book market that caters to direct-to-reader sales. You have full control over your book listings and can make minor adjustments to categories, covers, and interiors quite easily.

IngramSpark Publishing is simply a distribution platform, sending your book to retailers on your behalf. This can mean it’s difficult to make changes quickly and correct any incorrect information on other platforms.

Creating An Amazon KDP Account for Authors | Conclusion

Now, you should have a very clear idea about how to correctly and quickly set up your Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) account.

If you have any questions about the self-publishing process, including creating an Amazon KDP account, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

At Author Services Australia, we support Australian and New Zealand self-published authors and writers with a full range of affordable self-publishing services, including ghostwriting, copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, ebook and paperback formatting, book cover design, children’s book illustrations, graphic design services, manuscript uploading assistance, and social media and marketing.

If you have any tips for first-time Australian authors setting up their Amazon KDP accounts, drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog to avoid missing out on any future author news and updates.

Be sure to check out The Best Self-Publishing Platforms To Publish Your Book! Before you self-publish your first book.