How to Publish a Book on Amazon (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
A simple guide for Vancouver Island & BC authors
If you’ve written a book - or in some cases, created one with hand-drawn pages, scanned artwork, or a mix of both - you’ve probably realized something quickly:
Publishing is the easy part. Formatting is where things get tricky.
I recently worked with a family here in BC helping bring a graphic-style book to life, and it highlighted something I see often:
Most people don’t need a publishing company. They need clarity, the right setup, and someone to guide the process.
If you’re looking to publish your book online - especially through Amazon KDP - this guide will walk you through what actually matters.
Do You Need a Publisher to Sell Your Book on Amazon?
Short answer: No.
Platforms like Amazon allow you to:
Upload your book directly
Control your pricing
Keep your rights
Print on demand (no inventory required)
This is called self-publishing, and it’s how most independent authors are getting their work out into the world today.
Where Most People Get Stuck
Here’s what I see over and over again with clients across Vancouver Island and BC:
1. File formatting issues
Pages don’t fit the required size (e.g. 6" x 9")
Images look fine on screen but print blurry
Margins and spacing are inconsistent
2. Cover setup confusion
Spine width depends on page count
Back cover, spine, and front cover must be one file
Incorrect sizing = rejected uploads
3. Scanned artwork challenges
Low resolution files
Crooked or uneven pages
Grey backgrounds instead of clean whites
4. Spread layout problems
Artwork that spans two pages doesn’t align properly
Files are uploaded as spreads instead of single pages
👉 These are all fixable, but they require the right setup from the beginning.
What Amazon Actually Requires
To publish through Amazon KDP, your files need to meet a few key requirements:
Interior file:
PDF format
Correct trim size (e.g. 6" x 9")
300 DPI images
Single pages (not spreads)
Even page count
Cover file:
Full wrap (back + spine + front)
Sized using Amazon’s calculator
Proper bleed and margins
Once those are in place, the upload process itself is surprisingly straightforward.
A Better Way to Approach It
Instead of trying to force everything into templates or tools like Canva, I usually recommend:
Start with high-quality scans or original files
Build the book properly in a layout program (like InDesign)
Keep everything consistent from page to page
Export once, correctly, for print
This avoids hours of frustration and results in a book that actually looks polished when it arrives in your hands.
Book Mockups & Visual Planning (Highly Recommended)
Before publishing, it’s incredibly helpful to visualize how your book will look in the real world.
For this project, I created a few simple mockups and layouts to:
Preview how spreads would align
Test margins and spacing
See how the cover wraps around the spine
Ensure everything feels cohesive
Ideas you can use:
Flat lay mockup of open book (showing spreads)
Cover wrap diagram (back + spine + front)
Interior page layout examples
Before/after scan cleanup comparison
👉 This step helps catch issues early and gives you content you can use for marketing later.
Local Support for Self-Publishing in BC
If you’re based on Vancouver Island or anywhere in BC and thinking about publishing a book, you don’t need to figure it all out alone.
Whether it’s:
Formatting your interior pages
Setting up your cover properly
Cleaning up scanned artwork
Or guiding you through the upload process
Having someone who understands both design and print requirements can save you a lot of time (and avoid costly mistakes).
Final Thoughts
Publishing a book today is more accessible than ever, but that doesn’t mean it’s always simple.
The difference between a book that feels “DIY” and one that feels professionally done often comes down to:
Proper formatting
Consistency
And a clear understanding of how print actually works
If you’re working on a book and feeling stuck, I’m always happy to take a look and point you in the right direction.
Thinking about publishing your book? Let’s make sure it’s set up properly from the start :)
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