Can You Make Money From An eBook?

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Yes, you can make money from an ebook, and it is easier than most people think. Amazon pays up to 70% of the list price on Kindle ebooks, and a paperback of the same book often pays more per sale, so publish the print versions too. If you have an income in mind, my book sales calculator shows how many ebook sales a month that is. Below is what I learned over 230 books, what Amazon pays, and what makes an ebook sell.

Is it worth writing an ebook?

Maybe you have an ebook idea and aren’t sure it is worth your while, or you wonder whether to send the manuscript to a major publisher instead.

I started with ebooks. I had been reading Kindle books, and some free ones explained how to produce your first one. I bought one of those books and put the steps into practice: writing about a thousand words a day, then formatting the book as an ebook, with a cover and a description. I found it was easier than I expected. I also learned there are tricks you need to know if you want sales, and I wanted to do this for the long term. I’ve been doing it for years, and 230 books later, yes, you can definitely make money from ebooks. For the bigger picture, see can you make money self-publishing.

How much does an ebook pay?

On Amazon.com, KDP pays either 35% or 70% of the list price. Since 7-Jul-26 the 70% option covers prices from $2.99 to $12.99; outside that range you get 35% (KDP list price requirements). The 70% option also takes off a delivery cost, which KDP says averages $0.06 per unit and varies with file size (KDP royalty options).

For example, a $4.99 ebook at 70% is about $3.49 before the delivery cost. That is simple arithmetic, not a promise of sales. Rates in other countries differ, so check KDP’s page for yours. Try your own price in my royalty calculator and it takes the delivery cost off for you.

What makes an ebook sell?

Making money does depend on having a market to write for, a good cover, reviews, a good description and decent editing. That sounds like a lot, and you can do all of it for free to start. Many people are surprised and ask who would want to read what they write. A lot of people do. But you probably won’t make money if you aren’t writing in a market where readers are buying. I use KDSpy to check that the market I’m publishing in is a good one. For formatting I recommend Atticus.

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How long before my ebook is on sale?

Not long. KDP’s timelines page estimates about 3 business days for a new ebook to go live on Amazon, and up to 72 hours after that before it appears in search results. A change to your list price takes about 24 hours to show, and a new cover or description about 72 hours. KDP calls these estimates only. So you can publish at one price, watch what happens, and try another price a week or two later. If a change hasn’t appeared, check the book’s status on your Bookshelf.

Do paperbacks pay more than ebooks?

Often, yes, and this is the step many first-timers skip: don’t stop at the ebook. Also publish a paperback, and a hardcover if you wish. In my experience you usually make more money from paper books than from ebooks, because the price is higher.

Here is how the two compare on KDP:

KDP’s own example is a $15 paperback of 333 pages in black ink, which earns $4.00 at the 60% rate after a $5.00 printing cost. Your printing cost depends on page count and ink, so use KDP’s calculator for your book. For files, use an EPUB for Kindle, which also works at Draft2Digital if you want wider ebook distribution. Use PDFs for KDP print and IngramSpark. Read more in how much a self-published book makes.

What should I do first?

When you start, trying to do the ebook and print covers together gets painful fast. So start with the ebook, make some money, and use it to pay for the next step: a proper cover and the right tools. Do one thing at a time. Get your first ebook created, learn the basic steps, and add on from there.

Did you find it easy to create your first ebook? Did it make money? Tell me in the comments.

If you want help with your first ebook, book a free 25-minute discovery call.

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