YES, Amazon — I'm Coming! | Publishing Checklist by E.G. Sebastian

1

Book Title

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Craft Your Title

Research best-sellers in your niche — study their title structures on Amazon

Write 3–5 title + subtitle combinations — title can be creative, subtitle MUST speak clearly to your target audience

Confirm your final title — it should read like a magazine headline a radio host would love

💡 Strategic reminderWrite your book with PUBLICITY in mind. Headline-style titles = more media appearances, speaking gigs, and coaching clients.

2

Table of Contents

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Design Your TOC

Browse 5+ books in your niche — study their Tables of Contents and note what attracts you

Write chapter titles as magazine-style headlines — intriguing, benefit-driven, audience-specific

Add sub-chapters where appropriate — ask: "Would a radio host want to interview me based on this TOC?"

3

The Writing Process

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Choose Your Method

Option A — Record & TranscribeRecord yourself answering chapter questions, then transcribe on Fiverr.com (~$30–$80+ per hour).

Option B — From Existing ContentGather notes, PowerPoints, blog posts, past recordings — compile into chapters.

Option C — Blog Your WayBlog daily chapter by chapter, invite feedback, then compile.

Option D — Just WriteSit down and write. Don't judge. Don't aim for perfection. Edit later.

Create questions and bullet points for each chapter (based on your TOC)

Write / record / compile all chapter content

First draft complete — rough and unpolished is fine at this stage

Self-edit: cut excess, tighten language, check flow between chapters

Professional editor or proofreader has reviewed the full manuscript

Final manuscript is complete, proofread, and ready for layout

All images sourced and verified as royalty-free (Pixabay.com or Dreamstime.com)

4

Cover & Layout Prep

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Book Size & Specs

Decide on trim size (6×9 is most common for non-fiction)

Log into kdp.amazon.com → Create Paperback → select trim size → note the exact margin specs

Interior manuscript formatted to KDP's exact specs (margins, font, page numbers, headers)

Book Cover

Front and back cover concepts finalized (browse Fiverr.com for designer inspiration)

Cover designed as a single print-ready PDF at 300 DPI (front + spine + back) — spine width matches KDP's calculation

eBook cover ready: JPEG or TIFF, minimum 2,560 px tall × 1,600 px wide

5

Book Interior Layout

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Front Matter & Structure

Front matter complete: Title page, Copyright page (ISBN + volume discount info), Services promo, Dedication, Testimonials

Table of Contents auto-generated by Word (References → Table of Contents) — not typed manually

Each chapter has: opening quote page, intro bullet points, assessments/worksheets, highlight boxes, Notes section

Self-promotion woven throughout (success stories, invitations to hire you as speaker/coach/consultant)

Back matter complete: CheatSheets/Checklists, About the Author, Works Cited, Appendix, Order form, Final opt-in offer page

Final page count noted — needed for KDP spine width calculation

6

Pre-Publishing & KDP Upload

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6B — Step-by-Step KDP Upload (Paperback)

🔗 Start hereGo to kdp.amazon.com → sign in → click Create → Paperback

Step 1. Enter Language, Book Title, Subtitle, Author name, book description, 7 keywords, and 2 categories → Save and Continue

Use <b> and <i> HTML tags in your description for bold/italics formatting

Step 2. Select ISBN, choose print options (B&W, white paper, your trim size, no bleed, matte or glossy cover)

Upload manuscript file — fix any errors KDP flags (margins, image resolution)

Upload book cover PDF

Step 3. Click "Launch Previewer" — review EVERY page (margins, headers, images, page numbers)

Order a physical proof copy before going live — review it cover to cover

⚠️ Never skip the proofA physical proof catches issues the screen previewer misses. One formatting error can generate bad reviews.

Step 4. Set territories (worldwide), pricing ($14.99–$19.99 typical), enable Expanded Distribution

Click "Publish Your Paperback Book" — goes live in 24–72 hours

6C — Kindle eBook Upload

Step 5. Create → Kindle eBook — enter same book details as paperback

Format using KDP's free Kindle Create app — upload .docx, EPUB, or KPF

Upload eBook cover JPEG and set price ($4.99–$9.99 for 70% royalty)

Link eBook to paperback using "Link companion books" — both editions must show as one listing

Click "Publish Your Kindle eBook"

🚀 Launch TipMake the Kindle eBook FREE for 5 days during launch week (KDP Select perk) to spike downloads, reviews, and Amazon ranking.

Step 6. Claim your Amazon Author Page at authorcentral.amazon.com — add bio, photo, blog feed, and upcoming events

7

Marketing Plan

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Publicity & Media

Create a one-page media kit: photo, book cover, bio, top 5 interview topics, and contact info

Pitch local TV, radio, and newspapers first — local leads to regional, then national

Submit to podcast hosts in your niche as a guest expert

Speaking & Sales

Sell / gift books at speaking events — offer bulk discount pricing for companies and organizers

Create a dedicated landing page for your book with a clear opt-in offer

Request reviews from beta readers in the first 30 days — critical for Amazon ranking

Consider Amazon Ads (AMS) — even $5–$10/day dramatically increases visibility

YES, Amazon —
I'm Coming!

🎉 You're Published!

Need Help Bringing Your
Book — and Business — to Life?

YES, Amazon —I'm Coming!

🎉 You're Published!

Need Help Bringing YourBook — and Business — to Life?

YES, Amazon —
I'm Coming!

Need Help Bringing Your
Book — and Business — to Life?