Upload & Publish Your Children's Book to Amazon KDP 

Aww I'm so glad!!! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy that I was able to help you. 💕

Awww thank you!!! ❤️

Yay! I'm so glad! Thank you for your kind words ☺️

Yay!! You're so very welcome!

Aw thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me! And congrats on publishing your second book!! 🥳 That's awesome!

Thank you! So glad you liked them!!

Yay!! Congrats!! And thank you for the kind words ☺️

Aw thank you for the kind words!! ❤️

Hi Heather I tried doing a story book like you did double the width size and same height so my total pages comes to 11 when I upload kdp says 24 atleast, so I thought kdp would be considering my single page as 2 pages, Now I cannot expand my story further so please suggest me some options to split the pages or any other alternative, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!!!! Waiting for your reply@@HeatherCashArt

Yay!!! Glad I could help!

You're so welcome!!

Congratulations!! That is awesome!! I would love to see your book if you'd be willing to share the link ☺️

@@HeatherCashArt Yes, I would love it. But was trying to see if it was already live today and for some reason my book for paperback option showed that it got some reviews since 2020 so I had to contact kdp to ask... I use the asin code found in my bookshelf info to search my product and it showed me that.

@@etorn5762 what's the name of your book?

@@HeatherCashArt God's Wonderful World: A Story of Creation

Yay!! That makes me so happy!! I would love to see your book when it's done!!

@@HeatherCashArt I’d be happy to share! Thanks again!

Aw, thank so much!!

I'm so glad!! Thanks for watching!

I'm so glad!

You're welcome!!

@@HeatherCashArt Another question is the categories. To get the books on children's book category how does one do that? Do they add it automatically or do you have to specifically request that? Thanks

That's awesome!!

You're so very welcome 😊

Yay, so glad you like my video!! That's a great idea, to do the ebook free as a preview.

You're so welcome!

Thank you for the kind words! Since it is for print, you should do it in CMYK 🙂

Yes it does!! They changed their categories so they no longer go off of the standard book categories and instead they are now based off of Amazon product categories.

Oh that's awesome!!! Thank you!

You own the rights to your design which you created using those elements. 🙂

Nah, the spine is so thin if you're doing a 24 or 32 etc page book, that it's not much of a spine really. I just make it match the front cover.

Hi! There's a whole bunch of them, some are: 5x8, 5.5x8.5, 8x10, 6x9, 8.5x11. Hope that helps!

Aww thank you so much!! ❤️

Hi! As far as I know, you can't publish board books on KDP (I wish we could because I'd love to make some 🙁). The board books you see for sale on Amazon were published & printed elsewhere and just sold on Amazon. For hardcover books, you can publish those via KDP but they have to be at least 72 pages. Because of that I haven't published a hardcover yet. The process would be the same though, and when you are uploading to KDP you would just select the option for hardcover instead of softcover. Hope that helps! Heather

@@HeatherCashArt I understand, board books are very nice, what a pity that Amazon does not implement them, they are surely expensive. You are very kind to answer. Thanks, Heather, and I'll keep learning from your channel :-)

Hi! You're very welcome, thank you for your kind words ☺️ you can just go into the same book in your KDP Bookshelf and edit it, and you can upload the new file there! So if it's an ebook then yes you would go into Kindle kids book creator and re-export and upload that new mobi file into the product listing. Similarly, for the printed version you can go in and upload a new PDF if you make changes to the PDF ☺️ hope that helps!

@@HeatherCashArt Thanks, Heather! Most kind.

Hi! If you watch this video, I show you how to divide the page into two separate pages, in Photoshop: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8m0WVOv17Rw.html

Hi! The blank pages do count toward your manuscript page count. The inside of the cover isn't a page in your PDF, it is just going to be blank white. You can just add a page into your PDF for your copyright info. Hope that helps!

Hi! You assemble it all beforehand so you have a final PDF to upload. Check out my videos for Children's Book in Amazon KDP, I have tutorials on how to do it in Photoshop and Canva.

Hi! Yes all pages are counted. You can even add a couple blank pages if you need to, to reach the minimum. Like one in the beginning and one at the end.

Thank you!

That's weird, also I wouldn't think they would let you order a proof if they think there is something wrong with it! If you don't mind sending it to me, I can take a look for you. heather@heathercash.com Alternatively, there is a help option, when you are on the dashboard with all your books, scroll to the bottom of the page and there is a help link, and you can email them. They do respond!

@@HeatherCashArt Hey! I've followed your tutorial step by step and am having the same issue. I used 8.377 x 8.75 for my images and set the custom trim to be the same dimensions but when I go to publish I'm getting a message that I need to add .125 width and 0.25 height to my books pages to ensure the images extend beyond the edge of the page. Do you know a solution?

@@shu9996 can you send me your PDF so I can take a look? heather@heathercash.com

Awesome! I'm so glad you like my videos! Yes you can change the cover after it's approved! You'll just click the 3 dots next to the book in your bookshelf, and select "edit content" and you can upload a new cover 🙂

@@HeatherCashArt thank you soooo much🙏🏽

@@HeatherCashArt I wanted to give you a big thank you for that little push you gave me to publish/ upload. I was watching another from another person and they were saying do not do certain kinds of books - activities , coloring books because everyone is doing them. Same day I was on your page and saw a video and basically you said just do it, of course your going to make mistakes but you’ll learn from it and get better. Something like that. Of course anything you do that’s new is scary that’s where faith comes in. I’m excited for this adventure Thanks again.

@@BebeNow oh my gosh I'm so glad!! Congrats on publishing, yes it's true you just have to do it! You can always find a million reasons why you shouldn't do something, for any project! The people who are successful don't listen to that negativity and they just do it anyways 🙂❤️ Great job!!!

Hi! Welcome to my channel and thank you for watching and subscribing! If you are watching the Canva series, then there isn't an Episode 4 because the original series was in Photoshop, and Episode 4 explains exporting your file to create the PDF to upload. But in Canva, all you do is export as a Print PDF (Make sure you choose flatten). The Upload to Amazon video is number 5 because it's the same video as the one in the Photoshop series. Does that make sense? 😵‍💫 Let me know if you have an idea of how to make it simpler. I could make an Episode 4 but it really would only be like 2 minutes long. 🫤

Oh that's ok, you can just order an author copy and if there's anything you need to change you can upload a new PDF. It's no biggie!

No I illustrated it myself

I *think* it may be something that you only specify for ebooks but not paperbacks. But you can always write it into the description of the book. I will do some more research and let you know if I find out something different!

Unfortunately, yes I think you will have to resize if you want to publish it on KDP. But also, KDP requires hardcover books to be at least 75 pages. Do you have that many pages in your book?

The max is 650 MB. If you are getting the mysterious "error processing interior", there are a couple things that can cause that. The main thing is I always tell people to flatten their PDF. If you open up your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF viewing software, and if you're able to select the text (like as if you were to copy it) then your PDF is NOT flattened. It will need to be flattened before exporting, whether that's something that your illustrator needs to take care of, if she's the one who created the PDF file itself, or if you did then you'd need to go back to whatever program you used to lay out the book and make sure to export it with flattening selected. If that doesn't work, then another thing that I've seen is where people have the wrong trim size vs file size selected. It's weird, because sometimes it will wait and give you that error in the preview, but I've seen times where fixing that issue fixes the error processing interior message. If you already tried flattening PDF and you're not sure if it's a page size error, feel free to email me your file and I can check it for you. Lastly, try uploading in a different browser, because it could have something to do with your cache or the browser itself. Hope that helps! If you have questions email me at heather@heathercash.com. PS: I definitely need to make this into a video 🙃

Hi! Yes the Amazon KDP books are print on demand. Technically an ebook does not even need an ISBN you don't really have to worry about it. I would probably just put the same info on the copyright page, it's really just whatever you want to put on it, because the copyright page isn't required either.

You're welcome - I'm so glad you like it! I would be honored if you would share it 🥰

Hi! Honestly I've seen mixed results with KDP. Depending on where your book is being shipped to, it is printed by different printers, so results vary. I have books that look great, and others that don't look so great. One of my friends published a book on KDP and when I bought mine, it came with horizontal banding - not a great print job. I'm not super picky about it, I just figured it's out of my hands. BUT, I've heard great things about IngramSpark, that the quality is much better than KDP. I'm trying it for the book I'm currently in the process of publishing and will make a video once I get the printed version! (BTW, when you publish with IngramSpark, they will put it up on Amazon)

Nooo, the second option is public domain works which are really old stories that are so old they no longer hold a copyright (like ❤️ Rudyard Kipling's ❤️ works for example). You will check the book that says you hold the necessary publishing rights. The images from Canva are licensed for commercial use so you are fine as far as copyright goes. Hope that helps!

Then that's ok, just don't check the box, and Amazon will generate the barcode for you 🙂

That's no biggie! I made a video with the answer because it's one of the most common questions I get! ru-vid.comhmp59Z61UVs?feature=share Thanks for watching! 🙂

@@HeatherCashArt WOW! You are AWESOME! THANKS FOR THE FAST ANSWER AND INSPIRE! God Bless You!!!!!

@@michaelleroi9077 aww! You're so welcome!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Hi! If you chose a pen name then you can use that!

Hi! I always use the Premium Color paper type 🙂

Actually I mean when you uploaded your book, what kind of paper did you do your renderings on initially

@@HeatherCashArt Hi again, I was wondering why I’m only getting 5 different options for trim size (I’m looking for 8.5x8.5)

@@mimimichaels1001 sounds like you might be doing a hardcover? The hardcover options are limited.

You can purchase author copies which are only printing cost, BUT you can't get them via Amazon Prime so you have to pay for shipping, AND it takes forever to get them (I think mine took like a whole month!). So yes you can if it makes sense for you - if I need to order a bunch like to put in a local bookstore then I do it. Another thing I've done is lower the price as low as possible, and buy via prime, then put the price back up 😉

Ooh I don't know, I'd have to take a look. Can you email it to me? heather@heathercash.com

Are you extending your artwork when you adjust the size of your PDF? Are you choosing the right size for your book in KDP? (Make sure you choose TRIM SIZE not PDF SIZE when uploading (e.g. if PDF dimensions are 8.375x8.5 then in KDP you should be selecting 8.25x8.25) I do have a service where I will fix your PDF for you, if you're interested: www.heathercash.art/product-page/i-ll-fix-your-kdp-errors-troubleshoot-your-pdf

Hi! I used Photoshop. I have tutorials on how to do it in Photoshop and in Procreate. I wouldn't use Word - it really wasn't made for pretty graphic layouts. If you can't use Photoshop and don't have an iPad, I'd say try Canva. After my current series is done, I plan on creating a series for how to do everything in Canva.

Hi! Do you have Photoshop? If so, you can follow this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xZXuBo_ZKVs.html

Hi! The short answer is that one page of PDF contains one page of the book. But you can also watch my videos on how to create the PDF for the detailed answer! I have both Photoshop and Procreate videos: PDF in Procreate: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MIPnIip5QZg.html PDF in Photoshop: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xZXuBo_ZKVs.html

So, do you have it working now as a paperback?

@@HeatherCashArt yes.. so here’s what I did. I originally created the entire book by using a project and then when I watched your video, you said the thing about going to the top right corner to create custom size, put in your numbers so I wonder if that’s my problem, and if I need to drop and drag my entire book over to a new template. What I tried to do was go into my project and re-size it to the numbers that I picked obviously when it uploaded there no bigger than an inch probably LOL on the screen.

@@godsgirl38357 I would probably just resize the document instead of copy and pasting over to a new project. When you export, are you selecting PDF Print, check the box for Flatten PDF, and make sure you DON'T check "Crop Marks & Bleed"?

That is correct 🙂

@@HeatherCashArt thanks 4 ur hrlp. U channel is really great

@@MarioDoodles aww thank you so much! And you're so welcome!! ☺️

Hi Linda! Thanks so much for watching my videos! For the ISBN, you can just go ahead and start the process of creating your KDP book through the website, and then during the process you'll have the option to get an ISBN from Amazon. When you select that option, it will give it to you. You don't actually have to upload the files yet to get the ISBN number. For putting the copyright in your book - I would just mention it like ©2022 Heather Cash, but personally I wouldn't go through the official copyright process since as you said it is already copyrighted through the artist's copyright.

Oh also, re: where it's printed, Amazon includes that info on the last page of your book. For example mine says Made in the USA, Monee, IL, 23 January 2021.

@@HeatherCashArt oh thank you! I am doing it all today. I'm not sure why I am so nervous because you make it look pretty simple. Here I go. Thank you again!

@@lindabelcher7502 yay! Let me know if you come across any issues!

@@HeatherCashArt I haven't been able to find the print address! I am waiting to save final pdf until I can add that. Help! lol

For the cover, yes you would still need it to be one file that includes the front and back as a wrap.

@@HeatherCashArt Thank you for responding. So the back cover would be on the left and the front cover on the right in my file? No concern for the spine in a paperback, correct?

@@58wmelon that's correct, back on left and front on right. There IS a spine but it's tiny so really it's not a big deal if you just half-and-half it (as far as design goes). But you WILL need to make sure the cover is wide enough by calculating the spine width

You should definitely resize! It may throw errors at you, if not then it may crop it weird.

@@HeatherCashArt And one more question...I've always just kept a .25 in bleed as my default for whenever I work with printers on other projects. Is it risky to keep the bleed small with KDP, in your experience? I'm also trying to be mindful of stuff getting lost in the bindings too. Thank you again! Very helpful as I have never worked within the KDP parameters before.

@@martharunkle I always did .25 also! But, the final file you upload has to match the dimensions that Amazon asks for, at least in my experience, so you'll just end up having to do a .125 bleed. It has worked out ok for all my books so far.

Can you send me your PDF? heather@heathercash.com

Yes that's true, you can go a little bigger and do 8.5x8.5 and that one does have more options for expanded distribution. I was using that as my example, because that's what I used for my own book. You should decide what size is best for you and then you can just follow the same calculations. Let me know if you need help with any of the calculations.

@@HeatherCashArt Thanks for the reply! This has been a learning process and my book went live yesterday. Thanks for these incredible, easy to follow, clear videos. They are GREAT!!!!

@@user-on2fb2gl3g yay that's awesome! Congratulations!

Can you email me the file so I can take a look? heather@heathercash.com - Also make sure you are selecting color paperback instead of black and white, sometimes that will do it.

Hi Roy! This question is on my list of videos to make! I get it all the time! When it says that, it usually means that you selected the wrong paper type. You need to select Premium color interior with white paper. Hope that helps!

Perhaps you've picked Standard color interior? That paper type requires a minimum number of pages of a book. If you choose Premium color interior it should work.

I don't have time to check right now but I'm fairly certain you can't type your own.

Does this help? ru-vid.comhmp59Z61UVs?feature=share Let me know if not 🙂

Hi! It's not needed at all, but you can add it if you want to!

@@HeatherCashArt 😊

Hi! Does this video help? ru-vid.comhmp59Z61UVs

Oh also if it's not paper type then you may have the wrong book type, pick paperback not hardcover

@@HeatherCashArt oh okay i wanted to do hardcover but i guess not😂

@@valerossaco1926 yeah unfortunately can't do hardcover 😢

Hmm, sounds like it could have been a printing error, especially if it showed up correctly in the previewer. Have you contacted Amazon?

@HeatherCashArt I have tried but so far I'm not having much luck. From what I've read on their page it sems to be the book gutter but I don't understand why it has come out the way it has.

@@nathant8621 can you send a picture to me? heather@heathercash.com

@@HeatherCashArt Done. Thank you.

Yes! You just have the wrong options selected. Check out my video explaining how to fix! ru-vid.comhmp59Z61UVs?feature=share

Hi! Is your book only 14 pages? It does have to be 24.

Hi! Yes 8.5" is as wide as they go unfortunately, even if you do a custom size. I'm pretty sure you'll need to resize, but I suppose you could try to upload your book as it is & see if it works. Do you have Adobe Acrobat? If so, you can resize it pretty easily in there.

@@HeatherCashArt thank you Heather. Guess I have to resize it. I really want a 10x10 book... The website do no allow me to upload it with the the size I want. Also am I uploading as an ebook or printed versions? I have got 2 ISBN numbers from my editor x

@@yup2602 upload as printed if you want a printed book

@@HeatherCashArt thank you Heather. so does it mean I can use one ISBN for an 8.5x8.5 ebook then another ISBN for the 10x10 printed book? X

@@yup2602 they do have different ISBNs yes. But your printed book will be 8.5x8.5

On Amazon, you need at least 75 pages to have a hardcover book. The inside pages will be the same, but the cover will be different. Hardback covers have their own dimensions. I haven't created any videos on those yet but I definitely need to!

Yes I do 🙂

Do you mean how to order author copies?

Yes

@@yup2602 you can order them from your kdp bookshelf. I'll have to look later for the exact wording but it's basically where your book is listed in the bookshelf, and look for "order author copies"

@@HeatherCashArt thank you Heather x

Manuscript is the PDF of all your inside pages. If you watch the other videos in this series, I show you how to generate your manuscript PDF.

How many pages is your book? Because of the way it's made, it does need to be a multiple of 4.

Hi! Actually I think the issue is the paper type you are choosing. Minimum for standard stock is 74 pages. Choose premium for the paper type!

Yes you can :)

@@HeatherCashArt :D!!! ty

What do you mean? They are in the wrong order? Or your spreads aren't next to each other?

@@HeatherCashArt Hiiii, thanks for replying to me. Sorry, I was writing fast and it all made sense in my head but definitely didn't make sense outside my head, haha. What I meant is that I followed your instructions to the letter. You said to leave the first three pages blank and start from page 4. I did, but when I went to put it on KDP, the order of the pages shifted. So basically, they were all out of whack, so to speak. The pages didn't flow one into the other. I had to remove the blank pages and leave only ONE. That way, the rest of the pages flowed smoothly, with perfect alignment of the designs and perfect matching. So, I couldn't add the dedication page because it would mess up the whole organization and the pages would not align anymore. Am I making any sense? I hope so. I really followed your instructions really closely. I would stop and do what you said.

Hi! Check out my other videos in the series where I walk you through step by step 🙂

@@HeatherCashArt thanks. Just another question. If i make my book in english...can i upload a italian version later...or must i do all languages in the beginning ?

@@MarioDoodles you can upload the Italian version later, but I'm pretty sure it will need to be a separate listing, like basically as if it were a different book.

@@HeatherCashArt thanks a lot

@@HeatherCashArt sorry to bother you. I found the calculator for the cover not precise. Can you confirm this : a interior spread of 2 pages is exactly the same size as front and back cover minud the spine... right ?