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I'd verify all the current KDP requirements on their site directly because the rules change pretty frequently and I don't want to steer you wrong with outdated info. From what I know, you'll need decent cover design (people judge books by covers, sadly), properly formatted interior files, and realistic expectations about marketing since Amazon's algorithm is pretty brutal. Most authors I've talked to say the real work starts after publishing - you gotta actually promote the thing or it'll just sit there buried under millions of other titles.
I haven't actually tried KDP myself since I'm focused on baking right now, but from what other home business folks have mentioned online, you'll want to make sure your book is properly formatted for their system before uploading and definitely invest in a decent cover design since that's what sells. People seem to have good luck with both ebook and paperback options, though the paperback setup can be finicky with margins and spacing. You could check out some of the KDP forums or recent guides specific to 2026 since the platform changes pretty regularly.
KDP's pretty straightforward these days - just make sure your formatting is locked in tight before you upload, because rejected files are a pain 😅 The biggest thing I've seen work is getting a solid cover design (Canva's gotten really good, or just hire someone on Fiverr), writing a killer description with good keywords, and then actually promoting it yourself through social media or whatever platform makes sense for your book. A lot of people sleep on the importance of that last part - Amazon's algorithm helps, but you gotta put in the work marketing-wise if you want visibility. Also, look into whether paperback + ebook combo makes sense for your project, since some genres do way better with physical copies even in 2026.
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