Sell books on Amazon

Amazon has become the largest online marketplace in the world. Millions of people visit it every day, not only to shop for gadgets or clothes, but also for books. Amazon started its journey with books; it was the first category the company sold when it launched. Over the years, Amazon has offered different ways to enjoy books, through buying new or used copies, but also through rentals. Physical book rentals were once available but have been discontinued, while digital book rentals continued until 1st July 2025. What made books on Amazon different is that they have a unique niche with less competition compared to other product categories. Whether you are an author who wants to publish your own work or you have a collection of books you would like to resell, Amazon gives you the chance to reach a global audience, and for this, you don't need to be a professional publisher. Readers can choose between purchasing physical books or downloading eBooks. This is important to understand how to sell books on Amazon, be in printed editions or digital formats.

 

Why Sell Books on Amazon

The marketplace is trusted by millions of readers who prefer Amazon when looking for something new to read. That means if you want to sell books online, Amazon is one of the easiest and reliable platforms to choose.

 

Type of Books You Can Sell

When it comes to selling books on Amazon, there are more than one type. Knowing which type of book you want to sell is the first step in successfully selling books on Amazon. You have options, like Amazon Kindle books, which are digital and can be downloaded instantly by readers worldwide and some types are given below:

 

 

 

 

Selling Physical Books on Amazon

If you have books at home, from your library, or extra stock from your business, you can sell books on Amazon by listing them for sale. Here are the steps:

• Search for the Book on Amazon: Most books exist in Amazon's catalogue. You need to match your copy with the right listing.
• Set the Condition: New or used, be honest with the condition so that the buyer trusts you.
• Set the Price: Check what other sellers are charging for the same book, but pricing competitively will help your books sell faster.
• Choose Fulfillment Method: You can choose from:
  • FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon): You store and ship the books yourself.
  • FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant): You send your books to Amazon's warehouse, and they handle storage, packing, shipping, and customer service.

Many sellers prefer FBA because it saves time, and customers trust books sold with Prime shipping. For beginners who are wondering how do I sell books on Amazon, they should choose the FBA option.

 

 

 

Categories of Physical Books on Amazon

When listing physical books, you'll need to choose between new and used categories.

 

New Books

• Best for publishers, wholesalers, or anyone with fresh stock.
• Customers expect these to be in perfect condition, sealed, and without any marks.
• They can be sold at a higher price, but competition may be stronger.

 

Used Books

When you sell books on Amazon, being honest about the condition is important. If a book has highlights, folded corners, or a damaged cover, mention it, as it will help you to build trust and avoid returns and complaints.

• This is great for individuals clearing out their personal libraries.
• Amazon lets you list used books in conditions like new, very good, good, or acceptable.
• Pricing tends to be lower, but many buyers look for cheaper used options for textbooks and famous titles.

 

From Where To Buy New and Used Books to Sell on Amazon

If you're planning to sell books on Amazon, the first step is to have inventory. Whether you want to sell new or used books, the sources will be different. Before ordering, make sure that the books you choose are in demand and in acceptable condition for resale.

 

 

Selling eBooks on Amazon

For digital books, Amazon has a special platform called Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). There are no upfront costs, and that makes this the easiest way to sell books online without needing inventory. It's perfect for authors who want to self-publish their work as Amazon Kindle books, which gives them control over pricing, formatting, and distribution. New authors can make a newly launch product viral within a week, this is the effective starting point. With the right keywords, eye-catching cover, and launch promotions, KDP gives you global reach instantly. Here's how it works:

• Sign up for KDP with your Amazon account.
• Upload your manuscript formats like DOCX, PDF, or EPUB are accepted.
• Design a cover by uploading your own or using Amazon's free cover creator option.
• Set your price. Amazon allows you to earn from 35% to 70% royalties on your eBook sales.
• Once approved, your eBook will appear on the Kindle store and will be available for sale worldwide.

 

How to Get Approval to Sell Books on Amazon

The approval to sell books on Amazon depends on how you want to sell them, whether you're reselling physical books through Amazon's Marketplace or publishing them through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).

 

Selling Books as a Third-Party Seller

If you want to resell new or used books, here's how to get approved:

• Go to Amazon Seller Central and register as an Individual (no monthly fee, $0.99 per item sold) or a Professional Seller ($39.99).
• Provide your details, Amazon requires your:
  1. Government-issued ID.
  2. Bank account and credit card.
  3. Tax information (like SSN, EIN, or country equivalent).
  4. Contact number and email.
• Approval for media category, books that fall under "media products." While books don't require "special approval," Amazon sometimes review your account before allowing book listings (especially for new sellers).
• Once your account is active, you can search Amazon's catalogue, match the book you're selling by ISBN, and list it.

 

Publishing Your Book (Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon's KDP platform is separate from Marketplace. If you're an author or self-publisher, you can:

• Visit kdp.amazon.com and log in with your Amazon account.
• Add your author/publisher information, tax details, and payment method.
• Upload your book, submit your manuscript (Word, PDF, or EPUB) for eBooks, or formatted print files for paperbacks.
• You can upload your cover or use Amazon's cover creator. For paperbacks, you'll need an ISBN (Amazon provides one free if you don't have one).
• Choose your price, royalty option (35% or 70% for eBooks), and where you want your book available (Amazon.com, UK, etc.).
• Amazon will review your submission, which takes 24-72 hours. Once approved, your book will go live for sale.

 

How Much Does Amazon Take When You Sell a Book?

To sell books on Amazon is a profitable business if you have an understanding of Amazon's charges before you set a price. Amazon's fee depends on the type of book you're selling: print books through Amazon's Marketplace or KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) for eBooks and paperbacks. Here's a breakdown:

 

Print Books (Selling as a Third-Party Seller on Amazon Marketplace)

If you list a physical book (new or used) for sale:

• Referral Fee: Amazon charges a percentage of the sale price as a referral fee. For books, this is 15% of the total sales price (including shipping).
• Closing Fee: There's a fixed $1.80 per-book closing fee for items in the media category (books, DVDs, music, etc).
• Shipping Credit: Amazon gives you a set shipping credit, but if your actual shipping costs are higher, you'll cover the difference.

For Example:

If you sell a book for $20:

• Referral Fee 15%: $3.00
• Closing Fee: $1.80
• Amazon's total cut: $4.80
• Your payout: $15.20 (minus actual shipping and handling costs)

 

eBooks (Selling Through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

When you publish an Amazon Kindle book (ebooks) with Amazon KDP:

• Royalty: You can choose between 35% or 70% royalties, depending on your pricing and eligibility.
• 35% Royalty: This is available for eBooks having a price between $0.99 to $200.
• 70% Royalty: For eBooks which have a price between $2.99 to $9.99, with a few requirements (e.g., delivery fees for file size).
• Delivery: For the 70% option, Amazon deducts a small delivery cost (based on the file size of your eBook).

For Example:

If the price of the eBook is $4.99:

• 70% Royalty: $3.49 per sale
• Amazon keeps $1.50 (plus delivery costs, a few cents)

 

Paperback via KDP Print

If you publish a paperback through KDP:

• Royalty: You earn 60% of your list price, minus printing costs.
• Printing Cost: Varies depending on page count, ink type, and distribution.

For Example:

If your paperback is priced at $14.99 with a $3.50 printing cost:

• Royalty for 60% of $14.99: $8.99
• Minus printing: $3.50
• Your payout: $5.49 per sale

 

 

 

How Book Sales Can Be Increased on Amazon

Once your books are listed, you'll want to make sure they stand out. For Amazon Kindle books, having a compelling book description and a professionally designed cover can increase clicks and conversions. By applying the following strategies, you can sell books on Amazon successfully:

• Use Strong Descriptions: For physical books, mention the condition, and for eBooks, include a summary that makes readers curious.
• Choose the Right Keywords: Think about what buyers type into the search bar, then add relevant keywords, as it helps more people discover your listing.
• Get Reviews: Ask your buyers to leave honest feedback, as it builds trust.
• Promote Your Books: This can be done by sharing the link on social media or with friends, or by running advertising campaigns.

A close friend of mine was selling books but was struggling with getting visibility and maintaining the prices. After having good titles, his listings weren't showing up in search, and sales were slow. We decided to take help from Amazon management companies as we needed someone who has experience and can tackle different issues. They did optimization of listings with stronger keywords, adjusted prices to stay competitive, and managed advertising campaigns. Within a few weeks, sales improved, and the books started appearing higher in Amazon search results.

 

 

 

Importance of Visibility for Selling Books on Amazon

One of the biggest challenges when you sell books on Amazon is that your listing is reaching buyers. With thousands of books uploaded every day, standing out requires visibility. That's where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in.

We once had a seller who approached us for Amazon store seo services because his books were not appearing on the first few pages of search results. He had quality titles, but very few readers were finding them. After analyzing his store, we discovered the listings lacked strong keywords and the descriptions weren't aligned with how buyers searched.

Our team restructured his product titles, added targeted keywords, improved the descriptions, and adjusted backend metadata. Within a short time, his books began ranking higher, attracting more clicks, and receiving steady traffic. He was able to compete with larger sellers because his store became easier to discover.

 

Common Challenges Faced By Sellers

Just like other businesses, selling on Amazon comes with challenges. These challenges seem difficult, but with time, sellers find their way how to sell a book on Amazon effectively. Some of the common challenges are:

Competition: Many sellers offer the same book; to cope with this, you can keep price competitive and offer fast shipping.

Low Visibility: With so many listings, your book might get lost; for this, you need to use strong keywords and run ads.

Royalties and Fees: Amazon takes a percentage of sales, so plan your pricing so you make a profit after fees.

 

My Personal Experience With SpectrumBPO

When I started selling books on Amazon, I thought it would be simple to list the titles, set prices, and wait for the customers. But within a few weeks, I realised that managing a brand on Amazon wasn't easy. I had to deal with listings that didn't show up in search, pricing issues that made my books less competitive, promotions that weren't giving any results, and I wasn't able to handle customer messages and reviews became overwhelming. I asked myself how do I sell books on Amazon if I can't manage anything. After months of trying and failing, I decided to try professional help. That's when I went to brand management Amazon, and they gave me a 40-hour trial period before asking for any payment or agreement. That trial was a turning point for me because I could see how they worked and if their methods suited my needs.

During the trial, they focused on problems I had been facing. They started by optimizing my book listings with the correct keywords, fixing inconsistent pricing, and setting up targeted ads. They positioned my books so they appeared higher in Amazon search results. They explained their process in simple terms, which gave me confidence. I had tried other services before, but none of them showed a clear picture. By the end of the trial, I noticed improvements; my listings were visible to more people, sales began to increase, and customer engagement was better. That's when I understood the value of proper brand management. I saw the path forward and realized that learning how to sell books on Amazon isn't about only uploading products; it's managing the brand around them.

The biggest difference for me was that SpectrumBPO didn't lock me into a contract right away. They allowed me to test their approach, solve my problems, and then decide if I want to continue. After trying others who didn't deliver, this flexibility made all the difference. Today, my books are performing better on Amazon just because of the experts working at SpectrumBPO, and I know I made the right choice.

 

FAQs

Is selling books on Amazon profitable?

Yes, you can get a good profit by selling books on Amazon, but you should understand the platform’s fees and choose the right books to sell. For physical books, Amazon charges a referral fee (15%) and a closing fee ($1.80), so keep the selling price of your books in a way that covers these costs, and you get a good profit margin. eBooks and paperbacks that are sold through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offer royalty options of 35% or 70%, depending on your selling price. With good listing optimization, competitive pricing, and smart sourcing, many sellers find book selling on Amazon to be a sustainable and rewarding business.

Can sellers sell used books on Amazon?

Yes, sellers on Amazon can sell used books. You can start by selling books from your personal collection, or you can source them from thrift stores, garage sales, library sales, or other second-hand outlets. If you’re selling used books, mention it in your listing, and let the buyers know the condition of the book. Amazon have categories like “New,” “Very Good,” “Good,” and “Acceptable.” Many buyers look for affordable used copies, especially for textbooks and popular titles, which makes it a profitable niche if managed well.