Do’s and don’ts for Kindle Direct Publishing?

[Flowersingarden]

Hi, could anyone walk me through KDP and are there any major disadvantages?
Any do’s and don’ts?
Thanks in advance!

Hi, set your book up as if for normal publishing with a createspace template - Amazon createspace allows you to do this - then open kindle create and load the already formatted document then use the kindle tools to make it look good in kindle. This is much easier than trying to format a manuscript in there as you will already have chapter headings etc to work with. Additions such as footnotes are usually added as endnotes in a kindle book (nuisance) and will all be re-numbered and you will need to put a title for them (Endnotes/Footnotes) and add them to the contents list - this is on the left and you manipulate it by using the options for chapter styles on the right.

Check what your book looks like before uploading it to kindle. Chapters can have gaps, which you will have to fix (not difficult) and you need to check all the places you want a reader to navigate to are in the interactive contents list. Have a cover ready.

KDP is great as long as you follow their rules. The really important one is this: Whatever you do, don't make a second KDP account or give anyone else your log in details and let them access it. It's fine to have a separate KDP account to your 'buying' one – I use a different account name and email to make sure they are separate.
I use the Vellum app to format mine - it does paperbacks as well as e-books and gives me complete control over the way a book is laid out etc. It cost about $300 but has been well worth it – works out at about $15 per book for me so far.

Disadvantages? You are entirely responsible for advertising your book which can be a huge amount of work.

Advantages? You have control over book price, cover, title, and you can make minor changes to the content if necessary. ISBNs are free, royalties are paid on time, paperbacks can be enrolled in Expanded Distribution (which gives you less royalties, but bookshops and libraries can purchase your books).

If you produce a paperback, make sure to get proof copies before pressing that 'publish now' button!