How to turn one personalised storybook into a Kindle side income (royalties explained)

Step 1 - Create Your Little One's Hero Story

The first step, my dears, is to craft the heart of your book! Visit Build Your Book and use our personalised storybook builder. Here, you can choose your child's name, age, and even a little detail about their appearance. Arjun might be a brave warrior finding a lost puppy, or Meera a curious scientist discovering a new flower in her garden. Let their imagination guide you as you select themes and characters. It's the heart of the story, where your child's imagination comes alive and truly shines.

Step 2 - Polish and Perfect Your Storybook

Once the story is generated, take a moment to read it aloud. Does it flow well? Are there any little tweaks you'd like to make to the text or images? Perhaps change a word to a local phrase, or add a specific detail about a Diwali celebration. Our editor allows you to refine every aspect. Share it with your little one too – their giggles are the best feedback! A well-loved story deserves to be well-presented, reflecting the care you put into it.

💡 Grandma's tip: Reading it to your child before bed is a wonderful way to spot areas for improvement and bond over the story.

Step 3 - Unlock Publishing Power with a Subscription

To transform your beloved story into a Kindle e-book, you'll need access to our special publishing tools. This is available through our Build Your Book subscription plans. Think of it as investing in the future of your child's creativity and your shared publishing journey. It’s a small step that opens many doors. This small step opens up a whole world of possibilities, allowing your child's tale to reach many others.

Step 4 - Export Your Story for Kindle (EPUB3)

With your subscription active, navigate to your story in Build Your Book. You'll find an option to 'Export to Kindle (KDP)'. Our system will beautifully package your story, including images and text, into the EPUB3 format that Amazon requires. It also drafts the necessary listing copy – title, subtitle, description, keywords, and even a suggested price! This magic button transforms your story into a format Amazon understands, ready for the world.

Step 5 - Set Up Your Amazon KDP Account

Now, head over to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). If you don't have an account, setting one up is quite straightforward – much like creating any online shopping account, but with a few extra details for author payments. You'll need your bank details for royalty payouts, so have those handy. This is your author's portal, where you manage your books and keep track of their journey.

Step 6 - Publish Your Child's Book on Amazon

Once your KDP account is ready, simply upload the EPUB3 file you received from Build Your Book. Then, copy-paste the pre-drafted listing information (title, description, etc.) into the Amazon KDP fields. Choose your categories – 'Children's Books' is a good start! Finally, review everything and hit 'Publish'. With just a few clicks, your child's story becomes available to families everywhere, waiting to be discovered.

💡 Grandma's tip: Consider including a dedication to your child in the book's opening pages – it makes it extra special!

Step 7 - Understand Your Royalties, My Dear

Amazon KDP offers different royalty rates, typically 35% or 70% of the list price, depending on the book's price and region. For most children's e-books, aiming for the 70% bracket is common. This means that for every copy sold, a percentage of the price comes back to you. It's not about becoming rich overnight, but about celebrating your child's imagination and perhaps earning a little something for future story adventures! Every time a family reads your book, a little bit comes back to you, celebrating your child's shared creativity.