How to Start Amazon KDP & Publishing With AI, Step by Step
Built only from the steps described in 6 sourced Amazon KDP & Publishing cases. Each step is attributed to the case it comes from; we do not add steps of our own.
How they started
Start with ghostwriters
Outsourced books at about $900 each.
From Chris Rawson and Angelina Stanzione, step 1. $39,500 in 3 months, Self-Reported
Validate the niche on Amazon
He checks whether coloring books in a niche actually sell, rather than relying on keyword tools.
From Sam (self-publishing author and KDP tutorial creator), step 1. $10,155 net profit, Partially Verified
Launch immediately
A domain and a Stripe link the same night.
From Tom Ryan (Selfarama), step 1. $12,000 in one month, Self-Reported
Write with ChatGPT
The story of a girl and her robot friend.
From Ammaar Reshi, step 1. 841 copies sold (revenue not disclosed), Self-Reported
Pick a niche
Pulp sci-fi with AI world-building.
From Tim Boucher (AI Lore books), step 1. Nearly $2,000 total, Self-Reported
Pick a book type
Choose a low-content format such as a journal.
From Low Content AI (Brian Donatiello), step 1. $14,761 MRR, Independently Documented
What they did next
Switch to AI drafting
Used ChatGPT to cut production cost.
From Chris Rawson and Angelina Stanzione, step 2. $39,500 in 3 months, Self-Reported
Add audiobooks
17 of 29 titles were also published on Audible.
From Chris Rawson and Angelina Stanzione, step 3. $39,500 in 3 months, Self-Reported
Create pages with AI
Line art made with AI design tools.
From Sam (self-publishing author and KDP tutorial creator), step 2. $10,155 net profit, Partially Verified
Run Amazon ads
Ads at 22% to 27% advertising cost of sales.
From Sam (self-publishing author and KDP tutorial creator), step 3. $10,155 net profit, Partially Verified
Narrow the product
One art history book for one customer type.
From Tom Ryan (Selfarama), step 2. $12,000 in one month, Self-Reported
Find a channel
Facebook ads and word of mouth.
From Tom Ryan (Selfarama), step 3. $12,000 in one month, Self-Reported
Illustrate with Midjourney
All images generated.
From Ammaar Reshi, step 2. 841 copies sold (revenue not disclosed), Self-Reported
Publish on KDP
Paperback in hand the next day.
From Ammaar Reshi, step 3. 841 copies sold (revenue not disclosed), Self-Reported
Produce fast
AI tools speed up writing and images.
From Tim Boucher (AI Lore books), step 2. Nearly $2,000 total, Self-Reported
Sell directly
He sells the books himself.
From Tim Boucher (AI Lore books), step 3. Nearly $2,000 total, Self-Reported
Generate the interior
AI tools build the pages.
From Low Content AI (Brian Donatiello), step 2. $14,761 MRR, Independently Documented
Publish on Amazon
Export and upload to KDP.
From Low Content AI (Brian Donatiello), step 3. $14,761 MRR, Independently Documented
Amazon KDP & Publishing: common questions
How much do people make with Amazon KDP & Publishing and AI?
Across the 4 of our 6 sourced cases that report a monthly figure, amounts range from $846 to $14,761 a month, with a median of $13,100. These are what each source reports, not typical results.
How much does it cost to start?
From $0 beyond a $30 a month Midjourney plan to about $900 per book with ghostwriters in our cases. 4 of 6 cases disclose a startup cost.
How long until the first dollar?
First sale the day after launch in one case; not disclosed in most. This comes from what our cases report.
Which AI tools do these cases use most?
ChatGPT (3 cases), Midjourney (2 cases), Kittl (1 case), Amazon KDP (1 case), Claude (1 case). Only tools named in the sources are counted.
How reliable are these income figures?
1 of 6 cases are independently documented, meaning a news outlet says it reviewed records. 4 are self-reported. Every case links its source.
What are the main risks?
Amazon content and AI disclosure rules. Advertising costs can absorb a large share of royalties. Low-quality AI books can attract poor reviews.
How many of these cases say when they made their first dollar?
2 of 6 cases state a time to first revenue. For example: Tom Ryan (Selfarama): "First sale the next day, to a friend; first stranger about four months in"; Ammaar Reshi: "About 72 hours from idea to publication". The rest do not say, so treat any single timeline as one example, not a norm.
What went wrong or held these cases back?
6 of 6 cases list limitations or risks drawn from their sources. Examples: Chris Rawson and Angelina Stanzione: Amazon requires disclosure of AI-generated content; Sam (self-publishing author and KDP tutorial creator): Ads consumed about a quarter of royalties; Tom Ryan (Selfarama): Early ad spend was lost before it became profitable. Each case page lists them in full.
Can you still publish AI-written books on Amazon KDP in 2026?
Yes, with disclosure. KDP's content guidelines require you to tell Amazon about AI-generated text, images (including covers) or translations when you publish or republish a book. AI-assisted content, where you wrote it yourself and used AI to edit or brainstorm, does not need to be disclosed. You remain responsible for following all content guidelines and intellectual property rights. Source: Amazon KDP, "Content Guidelines" (kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200672390), checked 2026-10-20.
Do I have to report this income to the IRS if I never get a 1099-K?
Yes. The IRS says that whether or not you receive a Form 1099-K, you must report all income from selling goods or services on your tax return. Payment apps and online marketplaces must send a 1099-K when payments for goods or services total over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions, but they may send one for lower amounts. Source: IRS, "Understanding your Form 1099-K" (irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-form-1099-k), checked 2026-10-20. General information, not tax advice.
Do I owe self-employment tax on side hustle income in the US?
According to the IRS, you must pay self-employment tax and file Schedule SE if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more. The rate is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security and 2.9% Medicare), and you may need to pay estimated taxes quarterly. Source: IRS, "Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes)" (irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes), checked 2026-10-20. General information, not tax advice.