Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has opened up a world of opportunities for authors, enabling them to publish their books and reach an unlimited global audience. If you’re considering self-publishing on Amazon, you might be wondering what types of books you can publish.
Well, I’m here to help!
We’ll look at the wide range of categories and genres you can publish using KDP, allowing you to find your own creative niche and connect with readers who share your passions!
I will also be linking a few fellow Amazon KDP self-published authors so you can check out other people who have used the KDP platform!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please note that Amazon prices may change at any time.
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Fiction
Fiction remains one of the most popular categories on Amazon KDP. Here are a few fiction genres to explore:
- Romance: From contemporary love stores to historical romances, this genre offers a wide range of subgenres like paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and more.
- Mystery/Thriller: Dive into the world of suspense, crime, and thrillers, encompassing subgenres like cozy mysteries, psychological thrillers, and police procedurals.
- Science Fiction/Fantasy: Let your imagination run wild with science fiction adventures, epic fantasy tales, dystopian worlds, or urban fantasy stories.
- Literary Fiction: Explore nuanced characters, introspective narratives, and thought-provoking themes in literary fiction works.
- Historical Fiction: Transport readers to different eras and bring history to life with well-researched and compelling stories set in the past.
Example Titles
- The Thief of Egypt – Adventure and Fantasy
- Make Me Shine – Romance
- Prey/Pray: Origin of the Average Man – Thriller
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Non-Fiction
Non-fiction books are immensely popular on Amazon KDP, catering to readers’ interests in various subjects. This genre can also include “low-content” books such as journals, planners, and notebooks. Here are some non-fiction categories to consider:
- Self-Help and Personal Development: Share your expertise and insights on person growth, motivation, productivity, and success.
- Biographies/Memoirs: Chronicle your own life experiences or those of notable individuals to inspire and captivate your readers.
- How-To Guides: Teach readers new skills such as cooking, crafting, fitness, or business strategies. Anything you’re good at, someone else is probably trying to learn!
- Health and Wellness: Offer valuable information on topics like nutrition, mental health, fitness, alternative therapies, and more.
- History and Politics: Explore historical events, political analysis, or biographies of influential figures.
- Travel and Adventure: Share your travel experiences, offer destination guides, or inspire readers with tales of adventure and exploration.
Example Titles
- Mental Health Check In Journal – Low Content Book
- Backyard BBQ Made Simple – Cookbook
- The Ultimate Fishing Log Book for Kids – Low Content for Kids
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Children’s Books
Amazon KDP also caters to the younger readers. Consider publishing children’s books that entertain, educate, and inspire!
- Picture Books: Create colorful and engaging picture books for early readers, filled with captivating illustrations and simple stories.
- Chapter Books: Craft exciting stories for young readers transitioning into longer narratives, with more complex plots and characters.
- Educational Books: Develop educational content for children, covering subjects like math, science, language, and more, in an engaging and interactive manner.
- Coloring Books: Yes, these can be self-published! Put together a collection of fun drawings and create a theme!
Example Titles
- Lily and the Talking Starfish – Picture Book
- Under the Water – Coloring Book
- My Big Book of Letters – Educational Book
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Poetry and Anthologies
For those with a flair for poetic expression, Amazon KDP provides an excellent platform to publish poetry collections and anthologies. Share your thoughts, emotions, and unique perspectives through the artistry of poetry!
Example Titles
- The Reckless Kind – Poetry Collection
- Poetry Journal with Prompts – Coming Soon!!
Tips and Tricks
- Canva is probably my #1 resource when it comes to self-publishing. You can find book interiors, easily create covers, and do so much more with a free account – I’m not a creative person at all, and I’ve created some great covers and interiors with Canva! (No affiliate link – I just LOVE this website!!)
- Creative Fabrica: This one is not completely free, but there are endless pre-made interiors that you can just edit and add your own flare to, illustrations, various fonts, and so much more for only a small subscription.
- Social Media: It can be hard to get your first sale at times, so don’t be afraid to share your creations on social media! Your first sale might be your mom or your brother, but every time you make a sale, your book will automatically rank higher on Amazon and gain more organic traffic.
- Network: Look at what fellow KDP authors have done, look at their reviews and rankings, look for niches that might not have very many options… do some light research to figure out where you can best fit in to the self-publishing world!
When it comes to publishing on Amazon KDP, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re a fiction or non-fiction writer, children’s book author, or a poet, KDP offers a platform to share your stories, knowledge, and creativity with worldwide readers.
Take the time to explore different genres, identify your niche, and bring your unique voice and ideas to the forefront. Embrace the opportunity to connect with readers and bring your books to life on Amazon KDP!
NOTE: If you publish a book on Amazon KDP, email me the link! I will share your book on my social media and upcoming blog posts – I will always try my best to help fellow self-published authors reach more readers!
