Why Amazon KDP Is Still a Smart Play for Authors in 2025
Ignore the doomers. Here’s how indie authors are still making real money with KDP — and how you can too.
The rumors of Amazon KDP’s death have been greatly exaggerated.
Yet, people are shouting from the digital rooftops about it for the last few years. If you’ve been hanging around author forums, listening to podcasts, or scrolling “writer Twitter,” you’ve probably heard it:
“There are too many books now.”
“Kindle Unlimited pays pennies.”
“Amazon’s changing the rules.”
Yes, there’s truth in some of that. But here’s the thing: for authors who treat publishing like a business, Amazon KDP is still one of the most accessible, scalable, and realistic ways to make money selling books in 2025.
The Facts That Actually Matter
Now, I can say that, but I can also share what I have learned from selling my 20 books over there on Amazon and what I am finding around the internet, even in 2025.
1. Royalties are still strong.
Amazon offers 35% or 70% royalties on eBooks depending on price and territory. Choose wisely — pricing strategy directly affects income.
2. Kindle Unlimited still pays.
KU uses a per-page payout model (KENP). The payout varies monthly but hovers around $0.004 per page. That adds up fast for binge-worthy series or longer reads. Heck, one of my books averages nearly 10,000 pages read every month.
3. Backlists win the game.
Most successful indie authors make the bulk of their income from multiple books — not one big launch. This is one of the reasons why I share the importance of writing a series of books.
4. Competition is fierce.
There are millions of self-published books now, including low-quality, AI-generated ones. Readers reward quality, so editing and presentation matter more than ever.
Why KDP Still Works in 2025
Global reach, zero middlemen. Your book is instantly available worldwide without a traditional gatekeeper.
Low startup cost, high leverage. Editing, a cover, and formatting are the main expenses. After that, every sale is mostly profit.
Multiple monetization paths. Direct sales, KU page reads, print-on-demand, bundles, price promos, and Amazon ads are all on the table.
Long-term income potential. A strong backlist creates recurring monthly revenue, even while you’re writing your next book.
Creative control. You can test covers, tweak descriptions, or adjust pricing at any time.
The Downsides You Need to Face
Discoverability is hard. Without good categories, keywords, or marketing, your book will sink into obscurity.
KU payouts fluctuate. Don’t rely solely on them — use KU strategically to build readership.
Policy changes happen. Stay informed so you can adapt quickly.
Quality is non-negotiable. Poor editing and amateur covers will kill sales fast.
A Modern KDP Strategy That Works
Publish consistently. One book isn’t enough. Build a catalog that keeps readers coming back.
Think series and niches. Repeatable formats and binge-able content thrive in KU and Amazon search.
Invest in professional presentation. Covers, editing, and blurbs are sales tools — treat them that way.
Master keywords and categories. Discoverability is a skill you can learn.
Use promos with intention. Price drops, KDP deals, and ads should all serve a launch or sales goal.
Build your email list. Use lead magnets inside your books to bring readers into your world.
Track and iterate. Watch your data, experiment, and double down on what works.
Enroll in KU selectively. Consider exclusivity carefully — it’s a tool, not a must.
What Success Looks Like
Not every win is a bestseller badge. For many authors, success is:
Earning a steady $500–$2,000/month from a small catalog.
Seeing consistent KU reads on older titles.
Growing an email list that converts into direct sales.
Others scale this into full-time income — often after years of output and refinement.
The Final Word
Amazon KDP isn’t a lottery ticket. It’s a small business platform for authors willing to produce quality work, market it smartly, and play the long game.
The market’s more crowded, but the fundamentals haven’t changed: write good books, publish consistently, market intelligently.
Do that, and KDP is still a very real path to author income in 2025.
I want to help you get started on your Amazon KDP journey!
Grab The Minimalist Author Way (my self-publishing guide) now and get lifetime access to the full, proven system—from idea to bestseller—in one streamlined guide.
Click here to claim it before the price jumps!
Do you publish anywhere else, or only on Amazon
I love kdp. One thing that burnt me out so bad is the belief that I needed to publish a book a month. That was one of my biggest problems I had to face and overcome. I couldn't seem to get traction on KU but I was probably doing something wrong