KDP Book Launch Checklist 2026
30 steps across 3 phases to maximize your book's first-30-day performance on Amazon. From metadata to reviews to ads — everything indie authors need for a successful launch.
Phase 1: 30 Days Before Launch
Preparation is the difference between a launch and a flop
Run Book Health Check on your listing
Run Book Health Check →Research and set your 2 Amazon categories
Research categories →Research and optimize your 7 KDP keywords
Find keywords →Write a compelling book description with HTML formatting
Generate description →Set up your Amazon Author Central page (authorcentral.amazon.com)
Submit ARCs via iWrity 3 weeks before launch
Submit ARCs on iWrity →Set your pre-order (optional — recommended for 2+ week lead time)
Prepare your launch email sequence: announce, reminder, review request
Build your ARC team from your newsletter, social media, and reader communities
Set your launch price: $0.99 for KU, $2.99–$4.99 non-KU fiction, $5.99–$9.99 non-fiction
Get a free Amazon review for your book
iWrity is a reader community for indie authors. Add your book for free, earn points by reviewing a book you pick, and a different reader chooses yours and reviews it. Honest reviews from real readers, no card needed.
Get my free reviewComparing options? Read our guide to free book reviews.
Phase 2: Launch Week
The first 7 days determine your book's long-term trajectory
Publish and verify all metadata is correct (title, subtitle, categories, keywords)
Send announcement email to your list with your Amazon link
Share on social media with Amazon link and a compelling hook
Post in relevant Facebook genre reader groups (not author groups)
Request reviews from your ARC readers who received advanced copies
Submit to free KDP promo sites if running a free promotion
Monitor your category rankings and adjust if needed
Send "day 3" email to your list with a subtle review reminder
Check for and report any duplicate listings on Amazon
Enable Amazon Ads once you have 10+ reviews for best results
Phase 3: Post-Launch
Sustain your momentum and set up the long game
Send "thank you" email 7 days after launch with a review request
Apply for BookBub Featured Deal (requires 10–50+ reviews)
Submit to book promotion sites (Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, etc.)
Set up Amazon Ads campaigns if you have 10+ reviews
Track your sales rank trajectory in the KDP dashboard
Update your Author Central with series info if applicable
Plan your next book — series readers expect faster release cadences
Analyze which promotional channels drove the most sales
Build your review count to 50+ for sustained Amazon algorithm attention
Get more reviews →Consider enrolling in Kindle Select if your goals align with exclusivity
iWrity Tools for Your Launch
Book Health Check
Audit your listing metadata before launch day.
KDP Category Finder
Find the 2 best categories for your book.
KDP Keyword Research
Research the 7 keywords that drive discovery.
Book Description Generator
Write a conversion-optimized description with HTML.
ARC Review Platform
Get Amazon-compliant reviews before launch.
Amazon Review Policy
Know the rules before you get reviews.
Keep reviews coming after launch week
Most launches get a burst of reviews from friends and the launch team, then go quiet. iWrity keeps your book in front of readers who match your genre, month after month. They pick it up, read it, and leave honest reviews at a natural pace that stays inside Amazon's rules.
Add your book for freeWant the full Author plan for your launch? The Launch Plan gives you 60 days for one payment, with nothing to cancel.
Launching soon? Run the free Launch Check on your listing first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before launch should I submit to iWrity?+
Submit your book to iWrity at least 3 weeks before launch. This gives ARC readers time to read your book and post their reviews before or on launch day. The Amazon algorithm rewards books that receive reviews quickly after publishing, so having reviews ready at launch dramatically improves your first-30-day performance.
How many reviews do I need before enabling Amazon Ads?+
You can run Amazon Ads with zero reviews, but 10+ reviews is the practical minimum for good results. With fewer than 10 reviews, your conversion rate will be low and your ads expensive relative to return. At 10–25 reviews you can profitably run Sponsored Products ads. At 50+ reviews you unlock better placement and lower cost-per-click.
What's the most important thing to do on launch day?+
Send your email announcement to your list. Email converts 3–5x better than social media for book sales. Even a list of 200–300 engaged readers will drive more launch-day sales than any social media post. Pair this with personally reaching out to ARC readers so they know they can now post their review.
Should I do a free run or $0.99 launch?+
This depends on your goals and KDP Select enrollment. A free run maximizes downloads and can jumpstart your review count, but free downloads do not count toward paid sales rank. A $0.99 launch maximizes paid sales rank velocity, which feeds the Amazon algorithm more effectively. For KU authors launching a new series, a free run on Book 1 can drive read-through to paid sequels.
How do I get BookBub to feature my book?+
BookBub Featured Deals are highly competitive — acceptance rates are typically 10–20%. Improve your chances by having 10–50+ reviews with a 4.0+ average, setting a significant discount (free or $0.99), submitting 4–6 weeks in advance, and applying repeatedly. A professional cover, established author following, and prior sales history all help. BookBub also offers self-serve New Release Alerts and Featured New Release ads that are easier to obtain.