How to Publish a Book for Free in 2026 (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Introduction: Is Publishing Really Free?

A lot of new authors assume publishing a book is expensive.

And to be fair, some companies want you to believe that. They make the process sound complicated and exclusive — then charge thousands to “handle everything.”

But in 2026, publishing a book on Amazon KDP is completely free.

There are:

• No upload fees
  
• No listing fees
  
• No platform subscription costs
  
• No publishing approval charges
  

However — and this matters — publishing is free. Producing a professional book may still require time, learning, or small investments depending on what you outsource.

This guide starts after you already know your book idea. We won’t cover keyword research here — that deserves its own in-depth article. This guide walks you through everything from creation to launch. Prepare to learn how to publish your book for free in 2026.

Whether you’re publishing:

• A fiction novel
  
• A non-fiction guide
  
• A journal or planner
  
• A coloring book
  

You can do it without paying Amazon a single dollar.

2. What “Free” Actually Means in Self-Publishing

You can:

• Write your book yourself
  
• Format it yourself
  
• Design your cover yourself
  
• Upload it yourself
  
• Sell it globally
  

Platform cost: $0.

But if you want:

• Professional editing
  
• A highly competitive cover
  
• Premium formatting
  

You may invest modest amounts.

And pricing varies significantly depending on category.

A 70,000-word fantasy novel and a 40-page coloring book are completely different projects — and shouldn’t be budgeted the same way.

Throughout this guide, we’ll separate:

• High-content books (fiction & non-fiction)
  
• Low-content books (planners, journals, coloring books)
  

So expectations stay realistic.

3. Stage 1 – Write (or Create) Your Book

High-Content Books (Fiction & Non-Fiction)

Most indie authors write their own books.

You can:

• Write in Microsoft Word
  
• Use Google Docs
  
• Dictate using speech-to-text
  

Cost: $0
Time: Your main investment.

Ghostwriting exists, but it’s optional — not required.

Low-Content Books

Low-content publishing focuses on layout rather than narrative writing.

You create:

• Templates
  
• Prompts
  
• Activity pages
  
• Structured layouts
  

You can build these using:

• Microsoft Word
  
• Canva
  
• PowerPoint
  

Low-content creation can absolutely be done for free.

4. Stage 2 – Editing & Proofreading

Editing is where some authors overspend — and others skip entirely.

Let’s keep this realistic.

High-Content Books

If you’re publishing fiction or non-fiction, editing matters.

Poor editing leads to:

• Negative reviews
  
• Refunds
  
• Low conversion rates
  

You do not need to spend thousands.

Realistic Indie Pricing (2026)

• Proofreading: $100–$400
  
• Line editing: $200–$800
  
• Developmental editing: $500–$1,500
  

Prices vary depending on word count and editor experience.

Always:

• Request a sample edit
  
• Check reviews
  
• Avoid paying large sums upfront
  

Low-Content Books

If you’re publishing journals, planners, or coloring books:

You likely don’t need professional editing.

Just:

• Check spelling
  
• Review instructions
  
• Ensure layout consistency
  

Cost can remain $0.

5. Stage 3 – Cover Design (And a Serious Copyright Warning)

You can design your own cover using:

• Canva
  
• Photopea
  
• GIMP
  
• Photoshop
  
• Affinity
  

Canva’s free plan is enough for simple designs.

But this is extremely important:

⚠️ Copyright Warning

Many KDP accounts are suspended because authors unknowingly use copyrighted material.

Common mistakes:

• Using images from Google
  
• Using trademarked logos
  
• Using copyrighted characters
  
• Misusing stock photos
  
• Not checking Canva license terms
  

Amazon does not excuse “I didn’t know.”

Violations can lead to:

• Book removal
  
• Account suspension
  
• Permanent bans
  

To stay safe:

• Only use images you have commercial rights to
  
• Read stock license agreements carefully
  
• Avoid recognizable brand logos
  
• When in doubt, create your own designs
  

The safest approach is original artwork or simple typography-based covers.

Do not risk your account to save $20.

Realistic Cover Pricing

High-content books:

• $50–$250 (freelancers)
  

Low-content books:

• $20–$100
  

Costs vary by genre and complexity.

6. Stage 4 – Formatting Your Book (Using Microsoft Word)

You do not need expensive software.

Microsoft Word is more than enough.

There are many YouTube tutorials showing how to:

• Set trim size
  
• Adjust margins
  
• Format chapters
  
• Insert page numbers
  
• Export print-ready PDFs
  

You can learn the basics in 20–30 minutes.

Search:
“How to format a book for Amazon KDP in Word”

And follow step by step.

Recommended Trim Sizes

Fiction & non-fiction:

• 6 x 9 inches (most common)
  
• 5 x 8
  
• 5 x 9
  

Low-content:

• 8.5 x 11 (planners/workbooks)
  
• 6 x 9 (journals)
  

Amazon provides free templates inside KDP.

Formatting cost: $0 if DIY.

7. Stage 5 – Setting Up Your Amazon KDP Account (Required to publish your book for free in 2026)

Go to:
kdp.amazon.com

Create an account.

You’ll need:

• Tax information
  
• Bank details
  

There is no cost to open an account.

8. Stage 6 – Uploading Your Book (2026 Rules & AI Disclosure)

The upload process includes:

1. Title & subtitle
   
2. Description
   
3. Keywords
   
4. Categories
   
5. AI disclosure
   

2026 AI Rule

If you used AI for:

• Writing
  
• Images
  
• Interior graphics
  

You must disclose this.

Amazon allows AI-assisted content, but transparency is mandatory.

Failure to disclose can cause compliance issues.

9. Stage 7 – Pricing Your Book

Publishing is free.

Printing is not.

Amazon deducts printing cost from your royalty.

Low-content books:

• Lower page count
  
• Often priced $6.99–$9.99
  

High-content books:

• Often priced $9.99–$19.99
  

Always check royalty preview before publishing.

10. Royalty Rates Explained (35% vs 70%)

70% Royalty

To qualify:

• Price between $2.99–$9.99
  
• Meet delivery requirements
  

Most fiction and non-fiction authors choose this.

35% Royalty

Applies if:

• Priced below $2.99
  
• Priced above $9.99
  

Sometimes used for promotional pricing.

Paperback Royalties

Standard rate: 60% minus printing cost.

Important 2025 Update

Effective June 10, 2025:

Royalty rates for certain low-content books priced below thresholds (e.g., $9.99 US, £7.99 UK) were reduced from 60% to 50% due to rising production costs.

This means pricing strategy matters more than ever.

11. Expanded Distribution (And Publishing Wide) – Really important before you publish your book for free in 2026

Expanded Distribution allows Amazon to distribute paperbacks to bookstores and libraries.

Trade-offs:

• Royalty drops to 40%
  
• Must price for wholesale
  

If you want to publish wide via IngramSpark:

• Do NOT enable Expanded Distribution
  
• Use a separate ISBN
  
• Keep KDP Amazon-only
  

This gives more flexibility.

12. Kindle Select: Should You Enroll?

If you enroll:

• Your ebook must be exclusive to Amazon for 90 days
  
• Cannot sell on Apple Books, Kobo, etc.
  
• Automatically renews unless turned off
  

Pros:

• Access to Kindle Unlimited
  
• Promotional tools
  
• Increased Amazon visibility
  

Cons:

• Locked in for 90 days
  
• Cannot publish wide
  

Choose based on your long-term strategy.

13. ISBN: Free From Amazon or Buy Your Own?

Amazon’s free ISBN:

Pros:

• Free
  
• Easy
  

Cons:

• Amazon listed as publisher
  
• Cannot reuse outside Amazon
  

Buying your own ISBN:

Pros:

• You listed as publisher
  
• Can use across platforms
  

Cons:

• Costs money
  

For beginners, Amazon’s free ISBN is fine.

14. Keyword Selection Strategy

KDP gives:

• 7 backend keyword fields
  

Avoid:

• Single broad words
  
• Generic phrases
  

Use:

• Long-tail phrases
  
• Specific search intent
  

You can update keywords later — but initial accuracy helps momentum.

15. 30-Day Launch Timeline

30 Days Before Launch

• Finalize manuscript
  
• Finalize cover
  
• Format interior
  

14 Days Before Launch

• Upload to KDP
  
• Order proof copy
  
• Prepare review strategy
  

Launch Week

• Focus on collecting reviews
  
• Monitor dashboard
  

Weeks 2–4

• Consider ads
  
• Optimize keywords
  

Reviews first. Ads second.

16. Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid – Learn the rules properly before you publish your book for free in 2026

Common reasons for suspension:

• Copyright infringement
  
• Misleading metadata
  
• Fake reviews
  
• Undisclosed AI use
  
• Keyword stuffing
  

Amazon rarely gives second chances.

Protect your account.

17. Reviews Before Ads: What Actually Drives Sales

Publishing does not create sales.

Reviews create trust.

Especially for new authors without:

• Email lists
  
• Social proof
  
• Brand authority
  

Focus on reviews first.

18. Can You Truly Publish for $0?

Yes.

Write in Word.
Design your own cover.
Format yourself.
Upload to KDP.

Total cost: $0.

Professional polish may cost modest amounts — but not thousands.

Self-publishing is accessible in 2026.

19. Final Thoughts: Publishing Is Free — Attention Is Not

Publishing a book is easier than ever.

But attention is competitive.

If you want traction:

• Focus on quality
  
• Focus on presentation
  
• Focus on reviews
  

Even before your book is live, you can prepare.

With Bookblaze, for example, you can:

• Join the $4.99/month starter plan
  
• Use the 14-day free trial
  
• Review books
  
• Earn coins
  

Then once your book launches:

• Upgrade
  
• Use coins
  
• Generate reviews

Sign up for a 14-day free trial, with zero obligations here

Publishing is free.

Execution and strategy are what make it profitable.

Missed our previous article on what ARC readers are? You can read it here