Reports › Idea report #003 · Publishing
Self-publishing practical guides and low-content books on Amazon KDP
Print-on-demand books and eBooks with no print run and no inventory
Published 2026-10-20 · research as of 2026-10 · free preview + paid full report. No income is guaranteed; figures marked “estimate” are the author's estimates from public data.
The idea
You write a short, practical book on a narrow topic you know (a hobby, a software tool, a craft, a travel region) or design a useful low-content book (logbooks, planners, puzzle books), and publish it through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Amazon prints each paperback on demand and delivers eBooks, then pays you a royalty.
Why it works
- No upfront print run: paperbacks are printed only after a customer orders.
- Royalty formulas are public: eBooks earn 35% of list price, or 70% minus delivery costs ($0.15/MB on Amazon.com) in eligible territories (KDP, updated Apr 2026).
- Since Jul 2026 the 70% eBook band on Amazon.com is $2.99–$12.99, up from $2.99–$9.99 (KDP list-price requirements).
- Paperbacks earn 60% of list price minus printing cost at $9.99 and above (50% below), so a 120-page black-ink book at $9.99 nets about $3.55 per sale in the US.
First steps
- Choose a narrow, evergreen topic you can explain better than existing books (read their 3-star reviews for gaps). Avoid health, medical and financial-advice topics.
- Outline 8–12 chapters solving one concrete problem; write the first draft in 3–4 weeks.
- Create a KDP account, complete tax information and publish the eBook and paperback together.
Key sources
🔒 Full report — $9
The free preview ends here. The full report (PDF) adds:
- Full royalty math for eBook and paperback, with US printing costs
- Pricing grid: where to price for each format
- 8-week writing and launch plan
- Cover, keyword and category checklist
- AI-disclosure and content-guideline checklist
- Risk table, scorecard and sources
Checkout is opening soon. Leave your email and we will send you the link.
We'll email you once when checkout opens (you also get our free budget sheet). No spam; unsubscribe anytime via simhanseog66@gmail.com. Privacy.
General information only — not investment, tax or legal advice. Platform fees and policies may change after the research date; check the official pages before acting. No affiliate relationship with Amazon KDP.