Once your book is finished in StoryBookWriter Studio, publishing it as a real, purchasable paperback is straightforward with Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). This guide walks through exporting KDP-ready files from the Studio and submitting them for print.
Export your KDP-ready files from the Studio
The Studio's export options include two page sizes made specifically for KDP paperback printing: an 8.5" × 8.5" square trim and an 8" × 10" portrait trim, both full-bleed and pre-sized to Amazon's print specifications. For each size, the Studio produces two separate files:
- An interior PDF containing just your book's pages, formatted to full bleed
- A matching cover PDF containing your front cover, spine, and back cover as one continuous wraparound file, sized to your book's exact page count
Your book needs at least 24 pages, in multiples of 2, to export in a KDP preset — the Studio will let you know if you need to adjust your page count before these presets become available.
Choosing a page size
8.5" × 8.5" square is a classic picture-book trim size. 8" × 10" portrait gives you more vertical space per page, which can suit books with taller illustrations. Either works well on KDP — pick whichever matches how you designed your pages, then make sure you select the matching trim size later in KDP.
Publishing your paperback
- Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in, or create a free account.
- Click Create and choose Paperback.
- Fill out the Book Details form: title, description, categories, keywords, and target audience.
- On the Content form, set your trim size to match the export you downloaded (8.5" × 8.5" or 8" × 10"), then upload your interior PDF as the manuscript and your cover PDF as the cover.
- You don't need to provide an ISBN — Amazon will assign one for free.
- On the Rights and Pricing form, set your price. Amazon will show you the royalty you'll earn at that price.
- Before publishing, consider ordering a proof copy to check the physical print quality in person. Proof copies can be ordered before your book goes live and aren't shown to other shoppers.
- When everything looks right, submit for publishing. Amazon typically reviews new books within 72 hours.
Publishing a Kindle ebook edition
If you'd also like a Kindle ebook edition, illustrated children's books need to go through Kindle Create, Amazon's current tool for fixed-layout, image-rich books (it has replaced the older Kindle Kids' Book Creator). Kindle Create can import a book directly from a PDF — use the same interior PDF you exported from the Studio — and produces a file ready to upload to KDP's ebook manuscript field.
Once your paperback is live, you can order author copies at printing cost any time — to keep, gift, or sell in person — and use the same KDP dashboard to track sales and adjust your price whenever you'd like.