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How to Self-Publish a Book Through CreateSpace

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What CreateSpace Was and Why It No Longer Exists

CreateSpace closed in 2019, and Amazon moved its self-publishing services to a platform called Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). If you are looking to self-publish a print book in South Carolina or anywhere else, you will not find CreateSpace—you need to use KDP instead, which offers the same core services under a different name.

CreateSpace was Amazon's print-on-demand service that let authors print and sell books without a traditional publisher. When you uploaded a manuscript and cover design, CreateSpace would print copies only when someone ordered them, so you did not have to pay for a warehouse full of books upfront. Amazon consolidated this service into KDP in 2019, keeping the same technology but simplifying the platform.

If you have an old CreateSpace account, Amazon automatically transferred your titles to KDP. Your books are still available for sale, and you can still manage them through your KDP dashboard. The process of publishing a new book, however, now happens entirely through KDP.

Key Takeaways

  • CreateSpace no longer exists; Amazon merged it into Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) in 2019, and all CreateSpace titles moved automatically to KDP.
  • KDP handles both print books and ebooks, letting you upload your manuscript, set your price, and start selling without paying upfront printing costs.
  • You keep the rights to your book and set your own royalty rate, though Amazon takes a cut based on printing costs and your chosen profit margin.
  • Print books sold through KDP are printed on demand, meaning copies are made only when someone orders them, not stored in bulk beforehand.
  • South Carolina authors can publish through KDP just as easily as authors anywhere else, with no location restrictions or special requirements.

How Kindle Direct Publishing Works Now

To publish a print book through KDP, you start by creating a free KDP account on Amazon's website. You then upload your manuscript as a PDF file formatted to KDP's specifications—the file must be the right page size, margins, and font to print correctly. KDP provides templates and a formatting guide to help you get this right, and you can preview how your book will look before you publish.

Next, you upload a cover image, also as a PDF. The cover must meet KDP's technical requirements for trim size, bleed, and resolution. KDP offers a free cover creator tool if you do not have design software, though many authors hire a designer or use tools like Canva to create a professional cover.

Once your files are uploaded and approved—usually within 24 to 48 hours—you set your book's price and choose your royalty rate. KDP calculates what it costs to print your book based on page count and paper quality, then shows you how much profit you will make per sale at different price points. You can change your price anytime after publishing.

Royalties and What You Actually Earn

Your earnings depend on how much KDP pays to print the book and what profit margin you choose. For example, if a 300-page black-and-white paperback costs $5 to print, and you price it at $12.99, you might earn $2.99 per sale after printing costs. The exact amount varies based on trim size, paper type, and whether the book is in color.

KDP takes no upfront fee to publish, but it does take a percentage of your royalties as a distribution fee. For books sold through Amazon's store, the fee is typically around 55 percent of the royalty you earn. For books sold through KDP's expanded distribution network (which includes bookstores and libraries), the fee is higher, around 60 percent, because Amazon has to pay distributors to get your book into those channels.

You can choose to use expanded distribution or stick with Amazon only. Many authors start with Amazon-only to test the market, then add expanded distribution later. There is no penalty for switching between the two options.

Printing Quality and Book Specifications

KDP uses offset and digital printing depending on order volume. For small print runs, digital printing is faster and cheaper per unit. The paper quality is standard trade paperback stock—not as thick as a hardcover, but durable enough for regular reading. Black-and-white interiors are the most affordable option; color interiors cost more to print and cut into your royalties significantly.

Your manuscript must meet specific formatting rules. Margins must be at least 0.5 inches on all sides, and the interior must be in a standard trim size—usually 6 by 9 inches for novels, though KDP offers other options. Font size should be at least 10 points for readability. If your formatting is off, KDP will reject the file and ask you to fix it before publishing.

You can order author copies of your own book at KDP's printing cost plus a small fee, usually around $1 to $3 per book depending on size and color. This lets you hold physical copies without paying full retail price, which is useful if you want to sell books at local events in South Carolina or give them as gifts.

Getting Your Book Into Bookstores and Libraries

KDP's expanded distribution network can get your book into independent bookstores, chain stores like Barnes & Noble, and library systems—but it does not may provide placement. Bookstores and libraries decide whether to stock your book based on demand, genre, and their own selection criteria. Having your book available through the expanded network simply makes it possible for them to order it.

To use expanded distribution, you turn it on in your KDP dashboard. There is no extra fee to enable it, though as mentioned, the royalty cut is higher. Some authors find that expanded distribution brings in sales from unexpected places; others see little difference. You can turn it on and off anytime to test whether it is worth the lower royalty rate for your particular book.

If you want your book in a specific South Carolina bookstore or library, you can contact them directly and let them know it is available through KDP's distribution network. Some independent bookstores are willing to special-order books for customers, and some libraries will consider adding self-published titles to their collections if they fit their community's interests.

ISBN Numbers and What You Need to Know

KDP automatically assigns your book an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) at no cost. This ISBN is unique to your KDP edition and lets bookstores and libraries identify and order your book. You do not have to buy an ISBN separately or register it yourself—KDP handles that.

If you want to publish the same book through other platforms (like IngramSpark or another print-on-demand service), you would need a different ISBN for each version. ISBNs are tied to a specific edition and printer, so a KDP edition and an IngramSpark edition of the same book would have different ISBNs. This is normal and expected.

You own the ISBN that KDP assigns to your book, so you can use it in marketing and on your book's back cover. If you ever stop selling the book through KDP, the ISBN becomes inactive, but you retain the rights to it.

Marketing and Selling Your Book

Once your book is live on KDP, it appears on Amazon's website and can be found through search and category browsing. KDP does not market your book for you—that is your responsibility. Many authors use social media, local bookstore events, their own websites, and word-of-mouth to drive sales.

KDP offers optional paid advertising through Amazon Ads, where you can bid on keywords related to your book's genre or topic. You set a daily budget and only pay when someone clicks your ad. This is useful if you want to reach readers beyond your existing network, though it requires some trial and error to find keywords that convert to sales.

South Carolina authors often find success selling at local events—farmers markets, festivals, library readings, and community gatherings. You can order author copies at cost and sell them in person, then also have the book available on Amazon for readers who prefer to order online. Some authors set up a simple website or social media page to direct people to their Amazon listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I publish a book for free through KDP?

Yes. There is no upfront cost to create a KDP account or publish your book. You only pay KDP's printing cost when someone orders a copy, and you earn royalties on top of that. You can publish as many books as you want without paying a fee.

What happens if my book does not sell?

Nothing. Your book stays live on Amazon indefinitely at no cost to you. You can update the manuscript or cover anytime, change the price, or remove the book from sale if you choose. There are no monthly fees or minimum sales requirements.

Can I sell my KDP book in physical stores in South Carolina?

You can order author copies and sell them yourself at local events, bookstores, or markets. For bookstores to stock your book automatically, you would need to contact them directly and see if they are willing to special-order through KDP's expanded distribution network. Most independent bookstores can do this if they choose to.

Do I keep the rights to my book?

Yes. You retain full ownership and copyright of your book. KDP is simply the printer and distributor. You can publish the same book through other platforms, translate it, adapt it, or sell it in other formats. You are not locked into KDP.

How long does it take to publish a book on KDP?

Once you upload your files, KDP usually reviews and approves them within 24 to 48 hours. Your book then goes live on Amazon and is available for sale. The entire process from account creation to live book can happen in a few days if your files are formatted correctly.