Upload & Publish Your Children's Book to Amazon KDP

This is video #5 in my series to walk you step-by-step through the process of publishing a children's book on Amazon KDP! In this video I'll walk you through uploading your final files, and help guide you on the best options to choose.
Be sure to check out my other videos in this series for how to create your page layout, your spread, save your pages as a PDF, and create your cover!
Be sure to subscribe so you know when I upload the next video - bonus steps to do after your book gets published!
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[@thelowlychicken]

Hello Heather, I am so excited!!! I have just requested a proof copy of my children's book. I would never have made this journey without you. Thank you so much :)

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@ryancookingcaleb9756]

So well explained, very detailed. Much appreciated!

[@kevinrye7194]

I'm so glad I found your series of tutorials. They're just what I needed to know and has saved me so much time and anguish. Thank you.

[@HeatherCashArt]

Awww thank you!!! ❤️

[@PawsitivelyHilariousVideos]

I’ve been watching so many videos about Amazon KDP and this video is truly one of my favorites. Thank you so much for getting right to the point and being clear! This video was very helpful!!

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@f.fierro1256]

Thanks for this series of videos....they've been extremely helpful.

[@HeatherCashArt]

Thank you! So glad you liked them!!

[@wademichalski768]

I plan to watch all of your videos now… this is the information that I needed. THANK YOU! Very well done

[@HeatherCashArt]

Yay!! You're so very welcome!

[@eleniantoniou8287]

Your my go to person Heather, second book published all thanks to your easy to follow advise, quick to reply my emails during my first book dilemmas which really helped, thanks again Heather, your a star 🌟 🙌🙏🏼❤️

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@hollydolly3208]

Your videos have helped me so much!! I worked for a year on my book and was stressing because I didn’t know how to take my paintings and make them into a book using procreate ☺️ you made the process easy for an author/illustrator newbie! Thank you! 💕

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@hollydolly3208]

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

[@lovable_toon]

thank you so much for such an detailed series on this. You are the best. Love you!!!

[@HeatherCashArt]

Aw thank you for the kind words!! ❤️

[@lovable_toon]

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

[@eyesontheprize777]

Thank you soooo much for this tutorial. I almost ripped my hair out trying to figure out how to upload everything! thank you so much for this video, you have no idea how happy I am.

[@HeatherCashArt]

Yay!!! Glad I could help!

[@wellnessbytollytols7336]

Really helpful, your videos have helped me make great progress self publishing children books

[@HeatherCashArt]

I'm so glad!! Thanks for watching!

[@matthewroddy1]

As always, this was very clear and concise - and mighty useful! Thank you for all you do for us struggling self-publishers!

[@HeatherCashArt]

Aw, thank so much!!

[@etorn5762]

I have finally have my book on print. So so thank you Heather if it was not for your tutorials I wont make it. So so happy! Just follow her steps, focus and you wont go wrong.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@etorn5762]

@@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.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@etorn5762]

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

[@terriad315]

This is amazing!!! I just loaded my book. You are amazing

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@tigpatik]

You're video is a lifesaver. Thank you so much!

[@HeatherCashArt]

You're so welcome!!

[@anab1872]

My book is ready to be uploaded and I am gonna follow your video how to do that coz it’s the best I have found! I personally would like to create an ebook which is gonna be free of charge so that the potential buyers can preview the product before they purchase it for their kids.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@InspirationalThoughts4you]

Very clear video. Thank you!

[@vaniadiaz9]

Thank you for the video, you are amazing. 👍👍👍

[@scorpio11bw]

Thank you for the great information. I hoping to publish my 1st children's book this year.

[@HeatherCashArt]

That's awesome!!

[@HeyChannelDani]

This was very helpful! Thanks!

[@ladyc5809]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@HeatherCashArt]

I'm so glad!

[@meggyjones2448]

Thanks Heather, your video was very helpful 🙂🙂

[@HeatherCashArt]

You're welcome!!

[@meggyjones2448]

@@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

[@user-ve6dz5eh3q]

Thank you Heather for all your videos!😀 They are super helpful! I have a question. When you draw your illustrations in Procreate, do you draw in CMYK color mode? Or do you convert later in Photoshop?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@LargePrintBooksforChildren]

Thank you for the video. It is helpful.

[@HeatherCashArt]

You're so very welcome 😊

[@Lucymcdd]

For the expanded distribution, which size is accepted to unlock that option? Thank you for your easy to follow videos!

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@TheMusicgirl78]

Hi! Such an amazing tutorial! Question..do you need to create a spine for the book?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@mamallory]

Thank-you! Juvenile fiction IS children’s fiction/book. Large print means the print is Large. :) I’m a librarian

[@HeatherCashArt]

Oh that's awesome!!! Thank you!

[@lunaedugus5755]

Hello, thank you very much for the clear and quick explanation. One question, to publish children's stories you only have the paperback option. Would you publish a board book or a hardcover book? I see children's books in board books and hardcover on Amazon. How is the board book published on Amazon KDP and how much is the markup? Do you have any videos on that topic?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@lunaedugus5755]

@@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 :-)

[@lawrencia28]

This was helpful. If you received your illustrations as spreads, what would be the easiest way to divide each page?

[@HeatherCashArt]

Hi! If you watch this video, I show you how to divide the page into two separate pages, in Photoshop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp6TiImFq5ZqiNk

[@cooperlavan8027]

Thank you!

[@pmacinsights_videos]

Hey Heather! Thanks for creating these videos! Super helpful. What about copy right if you 'illustrated' with elements from Canva's library... do you still own the rights or is it public domain???

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@marialeicy9900]

Thank you! It looks like KDP has a Books › Children's Books category now.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@simonward-horner7605]

Thanks for this incredibly useful and clear instructional video! Very much appreciated. I wonder if you can help me. I published my book, but now I want to change the content due to some mistakes I made. Should I re-upload the book as a new book? Or can I just put the content without the cover, etc. in the children's book creator and drop that into the content part of the upload process? Thanks in advance if you have any advice.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@simonward-horner7605]

@@HeatherCashArt Thanks, Heather! Most kind.

[@meyravoz3800]

Thank you!! very helpfull

[@HeatherCashArt]

You're so welcome!

[@crystalpresence6112]

Hi, thanks for making this video! I am wondering where to add the age group? Amazon asked me to put one and I am not finding where to add it.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@BebeNow]

Hi! Your videos are great! Easy to understand 🙏🏽 I’m in the process of publishing my first book (coloring activity book) I’m waiting for Amazon to approve it. My question is can I change the cover once they approve the book. I made a better cover last night. 😂 Thanks in advance 🙏🏽

[@HeatherCashArt]

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 🙂

[@BebeNow]

@@HeatherCashArt thank you soooo much🙏🏽

[@BebeNow]

@@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.

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@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!!!

[@andrewterry2920]

Hi, great series! Really easy to follow. I keep getting 'attention needed' emails from Amazon, saying I need to add 0.125 to width and 0.25 to height but I've already done this and it looks fine in the previewer and even the proof I received today looks great. Amy idea what I can do? Is there an 'appeal' process? To get an actual human to look at it? Many thanks.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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. [e-mail] 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!

[@shu9996]

@@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?

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@shu9996 can you send me your PDF so I can take a look? [e-mail]

[@kristinmurphy2031]

Hello- Very helpful video. Are the cover page and copywrite pages counted as part of the 24 minimum in KDP? Also, if I have extra illustration only pages (one at beginning, one at ending), are these counted in the 24 as well?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@kristinmurphy2031]

Thank you!

[@amyrodriguez1650]

I thought I researched enough to know that you should order a proof copy before just submitting. I followed this video and looked past that option after putting in prices. Now I have to wait and pray It looks good lol

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@arabiclearner711]

Hi I’m a new subscriber, is there a lesson 4 for this series? My playlist is going from 3 to 5 and I don’t want to miss anything

[@HeatherCashArt]

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. 🫤

[@tuya_arauz]

Thank you so much. I have few questions. Does the inside of the cover book page and the blank page counts as your manuscript pages? Can I print my copyright page inside of the cover page?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@leonelvilela5531]

Hi, did you insert the script onto the illustration before uploading or by uploading the script and then the illustrations you get to play around where to put the scripts on each page?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@derekkent7998]

How many pages in that book? Do they charge by x amount of pages or in like a 5 page window?

[@momsprintables]

ty for this video! Did you have someone make the book for you

[@HeatherCashArt]

No I illustrated it myself

[@michaelleroi9077]

We tried uploading last night. All went seemingly well until we received an error stating our children’s book needed to be 72 pages. Do we load a page at a time or the whole manuscript of the 42 pages we have? Weird, but we won’t quit! Thank you so very much for helping take away much anxiety from two retirees!

[@HeatherCashArt]

That's no biggie! I made a video with the answer because it's one of the most common questions I get! kzbin.infohmp59Z61UVs?feature=share Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@michaelleroi9077]

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

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@shaneaudette6763]

Thanks!

[@HeatherCashArt]

Aww thank you so much!! ❤️

[@meowwchann]

Do you select a reading age?

[@adriennehugo6719]

Hi Heather, I want to update you and also see if you can provide reassurance! I followed all of your steps to successfully upload my book. I just got the proof and I'm very pleased that the formatting is perfect, thanks to your directions, which I followed exactly. However, the colors are not "true"-- they are darker than my pdfs and than the pages I had copied at Staples. I checked with live chat on KDP and the rep told me that this is typical of proof copies. They do not go through Quality review. The rep says I will see more vibrant colors in my Author's copies. Do you know anything about this? Obviously, I don't want my book to go Live without some reassurance that the beautiful colors I chose will be what I see in my published work.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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)

[@adellharrydesigns]

What about publishing it as a hard cover as far as size? I created my book as an 8" X 8" (+.25 for bleed) but they don't have that size in hard covers. Am I going to have to recreate all the pages in that size?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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?

[@sarahmelton9163]

How do you go about getting a copy of your own book? Do you purchase it on Amazon like a customer would? Or is there a way to just pay a print/ shipping fee ?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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 😉

[@yup2602]

Hi Heather. It's me again. So.... This is a print by demand video... Am I correct ? In that case the ISBN no. will be different for the ebook... That means the copyright page has to be different, right.... ?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@sierrasaunders1729]

can you upload to the manuscript section with a huge pdf? I did not use kindle creator and had an illustrator but my kids book from start to finish (without front and back cover) in a pdf and it appears to not want to upload.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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 [e-mail]. PS: I definitely need to make this into a video 🙃

[@rolandoiiibarra8818]

What application can I use to put all the pages togetherrr, my illustrator has all her pages ready I just dont know how to put them together as a manuscript when I upload.

[@HeatherCashArt]

Hi! Do you have Photoshop? If so, you can follow this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rou7pnWllL9-jNU

[@powerpup97]

Question: What if I were to choose a pen name for myself for the book I wrote? Should I use my pen name for the author or my real name?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@mistyjude5036]

Do I choose the second piblishing option if i'm using images from Canva?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@nachos2000c]

Where it says "check this box if the cover includes a barcode", what if I don't but I have an ISBN #? Thank you by the way with these videos you have.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@fredapilado9633]

About the description, do we need to do the HTML?

[@mimimichaels1001]

Hi Heather! What kind of paper would you recommend using for a children’s picture book to upload to kdp? Thanks!

[@HeatherCashArt]

Hi! I always use the Premium Color paper type 🙂

[@mimimichaels1001]

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

[@mimimichaels1001]

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

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@nurulashari815]

How to prepare the manuscript PDF? Is it a page of PDF contains of a page of the book? Or a page of PDF contains of spread page (2 pages)? Since my book contains of spread. Thank You :)

[@HeatherCashArt]

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: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3qzn3yfpZqEkMk PDF in Photoshop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rou7pnWllL9-jNU

[@mixmixture7049]

Sometimes kinda annoying when upload paperback. Which i already extended trim size 0,125 x 0,25. Even i only extended my canvas so the image couldn't hit the red zone. Is still errors 🤦.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@charlie_medici439]

what do I do if it says failed manuscript upload? I'm not using procreate though I'm using krita but it's in a pdf format.

[@HeatherCashArt]

Ooh I don't know, I'd have to take a look. Can you email it to me? [e-mail]

[@lindabelcher7502]

Hello Heather, I was wondering about two things. One is how do we find what our ISBN will be so we can add it to our copyright/dedication page? I would need to know before my final pdf is uploaded. Also, is it safe to say printed in the United States, if I am in North Carolina? Oops a third thing. You mentioned in another video that you wish you had put a copyright in your book. Do you recommend actually copyrighting it through the .gov site or just mention that you hold the copyright...which we do if we wrote it. Thank you for all your tutorials. I could NOT have done my book without it!

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@lindabelcher7502]

@@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!

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@lindabelcher7502]

@@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

[@mariamoore1707]

how do you create your manuscript, do you put all of your illustrations in microsoft word then create a pdf manuscript.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@MarioDoodles]

The trim size is considered your actual book size without bleed size included ?

[@HeatherCashArt]

That is correct 🙂

[@MarioDoodles]

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

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@craftystudios7510]

My Pages are split, but they keep showing as doubled pages... example: Looking at pages 2-3 in the viewer I see my pages 2 & 3 on both sides of 2-3 instead of one page on each side. Any idea why?

[@HeatherCashArt]

Can you send me your PDF? [e-mail]

[@princeowiredu2022]

Can I type in my own dimensions instead of use a preset?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@58wmelon]

I have a question about downloading the cover. I'm not doing spreads and am not worried about bleeds. It is 8 x 10. How do I download the back cover? Would KDP still want the "cover" (front and back) as one document?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@58wmelon]

@@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?

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@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

[@VacationHacker]

Hi Heather, I have uploaded my Paperback 8.5 x 8.5 32 page pdf BUT it comes back saying the minimum page requirement is 72. I have checked everything and tried it twice now and still the same, Can anyone help. I have been doing KDP for over 6mths and never had a problem but this is the first time trying a 32 page ?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@anicasimunec8680]

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.

[@aimiamirarahmad1369]

Thanks for the video content, helping me a lot. Can I share your video

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@godsgirl38357]

So I need some major guidance lol. I am using the pro version of Canva, and I try to upload the book and everything looks like thumbnails on the screen instead of full pages I so confused if I it wouldn’t even upload it, I tried to do a hard cover. It wouldn’t let me do. I had to switch it to a soft cover then I had to go back in a change and get a new ISPN number. It’s been terrible. Very frustrated

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@godsgirl38357]

@@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.

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@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"?

[@martharunkle]

Question - I am doing an 8.5 x 8.5 book. If it is in the PDF in 10x10, will it be automatically scaled in amazon? Or should I resize?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@martharunkle]

@@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.

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@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.

[@filoncmike]

heather, I am having a huge problem with my bleed. no matter what size I change my pdf to, there are 1/16 size white bars top and bottom. I even added 1 inch to 8.25 x 8.25 height and it did nothing. What am I doing wrong? I checked bleed also.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@filoncmike]

@@HeatherCashArt Thank you Heather for your quick response. My daughter fixed it for me. Not sure how she did it, so she will have to educate me for the next time!!

[@user-on2fb2gl3g]

By following your videos and creating the book 8.25x8.25 I uploaded and it said because of the size it would not be eligible for expanded distribution. Is this truly the case? If I would have know that going in I might have chose a different size. Any suggestions?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@user-on2fb2gl3g]

@@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!!!!

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@powermomma_bekay1449]

I've seen someone add like an author page and publishing info is that needed for kdp books?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@powermomma_bekay1449]

@@HeatherCashArt 😊

[@elementsofreiki]

I have my manuscript correct but it keeps saying that I can't upload because I need 75 pages how do I fix this issue

[@HeatherCashArt]

Does this help? kzbin.infohmp59Z61UVs?feature=share Let me know if not 🙂

[@valerossaco1926]

hey so I dont want a lot of pages but it keeps stating I need at least 76. How did u get yours at 26 pages?

[@HeatherCashArt]

Hi! Does this video help? kzbin.infohmp59Z61UVs

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@valerossaco1926]

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

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@valerossaco1926 yeah unfortunately can't do hardcover 😢

[@nathant8621]

I followed your videos and uploaded my files correctly. They looked perfectly fine in the previewer but when my proof copy arrived it had blank space around the pages. I selected bleed so I don't know what the issue is.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@nathant8621]

@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.

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@nathant8621 can you send a picture to me? [e-mail]

[@nathant8621]

@@HeatherCashArt Done. Thank you.

[@yup2602]

hi Heather, wonder how to get the dummy book please ?

[@HeatherCashArt]

Do you mean how to order author copies?

[@yup2602]

Yes

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@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"

[@yup2602]

@@HeatherCashArt thank you Heather x

[@annieaviles4760]

My children's book is 20 pages- its a toddler book- but kdp requires at least 72 pages. How is there a way to publish a 20 page children's book?

[@HeatherCashArt]

Yes! You just have the wrong options selected. Check out my video explaining how to fix! kzbin.infohmp59Z61UVs?feature=share

[@unlabledunknown]

when i upload i am getting an error that my book needs to be 74 pages . Am i doing somerhing wrong?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@jkaat7373]

What if I want my book to be hardback?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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!

[@jrrid2143]

What do you mean by manuscript

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@yup2602]

Hi Heather... i stuck.... they dont have a choice of 10inx10in option... the max is 8.5x8.5... why ? does it mean, i have to resize all my pdf drawings again..

[@HeatherCashArt]

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.

[@yup2602]

@@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

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@yup2602]

@@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

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@Josie-oi2tb]

I'm getting an error message that my book is only 14 pages but it has to be 24! Any ideas?

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@randomartist-8372]

Can I use an alias instead of my real name? Or is that not allowed

[@HeatherCashArt]

Yes you can :)

[@randomartist-8372]

@@HeatherCashArt :D!!! ty

[@jennymai598]

Do you do you own illustrations ?

[@HeatherCashArt]

Yes I do 🙂

[@MarioDoodles]

Hi...how are pdf files of inner pages made

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@MarioDoodles]

@@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 ?

[@HeatherCashArt]

@@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.

[@MarioDoodles]

@@HeatherCashArt thanks a lot

[@MarioDoodles]

@@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 ?

[@loredanagiovanelli6628]

the pages just don't match. I've been removing, adding, and whatever else but nothing. The don't show in sequence as they should. Help. The only thing that works fine is the cover page, hahaha.

[@HeatherCashArt]

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

[@loredanagiovanelli6628]

@@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.