First-Time Author? Here's Why KDP Should Be Your First Step

When I published my first book, I can still remember how overwhelming the whole process felt. Everyone seemed to have an opinion: “You have to go wide! Don’t just use Amazon—make sure you’re on every platform from day one!” It sounded exciting… but also incredibly complicated.

Looking back (and after publishing books on both KDP and IngramSpark), I’m glad I started simple. And I’ve met authors who wish someone had just told them to start simple. In this week’s episode of Indie Author Blueprint, I’m diving deep into why I believe KDP is hands-down the best starting point for first-time indie authors—and what makes it different from other platforms like IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble, or Draft2Digital.

Start Simple

Here’s the truth: I’ve tried juggling both KDP and IngramSpark. What no one tells you is how many tiny, unexpected challenges pop up—from tricky file rejections, to unexpected fees for little revisions, to the endless stream of technical headaches. KDP, on the other hand, is not only free, but it makes uploading, editing, and updating your book refreshingly easy. And when you inevitably spot that one typo right after hitting publish (trust me, it happens!), replacing the file is a breeze.

I also bust the myth that you “need” your book everywhere on day one. Spoiler: Most of your early sales are going to come from friends, family, and your closest network—aka people shopping on Amazon anyway. Plus, simply using expanded distribution on KDP can get your book into other retailers with just a single click.

Build a Solid Foundation

The bottom line? Your first book isn’t about conquering the world; it’s about building confidence and making the publishing journey as stress-free as possible. I wish more people said this out loud! Starting with KDP isn’t just enough—it’s a smart, solid foundation, and you can always expand later once you’ve got your feet under you.

Give the full episode a listen—you’ll get actionable tips, honest encouragement, and a clear path to your first book launch, minus the overwhelm.

This episode is totally free. But be sure to check out the paid content for subscribers. There are all sorts of helpful resources!