Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is a popular platform for authors to self-publish their books. One of the most common questions from authors is about the KDP payment schedule. In this blog post, I will discuss when and how KDP pays its authors.
When Does KDP Pay?
KDP pays royalties monthly, 60 days after the end of the month in which the sales were made. For example, if your book sells in June, you will receive payment for those sales in August. This delay is because KDP needs time to deal with returns and refunds, which typically happen within 30 days after a sale. This practice helps Amazon avoid carrying a negative balance into the royalties for the following month and prevents them from having to deduct money from your bank account to recover royalties that were mistakenly paid due to returns.
Payment Threshold
KDP has a minimum payment threshold for wire and cheque payments based on the marketplace in which your book is sold, this does not apply to electronic payments.
Wire and cheque payments must accrue a minimum amount of earned royalties through the sale of your books. If your royalty earnings fall below the threshold for a wire or cheque payment, KDP will keep a running total and issue the payment once you meet the threshold.
How Will KDP Pay Me?
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offers three payment methods for authors:
- Direct Deposit (EFT): This is the fastest and most convenient way to receive your royalties. You will be paid monthly, with no minimum threshold or fees. Direct deposit is the direct transfer of money from one bank account to another without cheque or cash changing hands.
- Wire Transfer: This is similar to direct deposit. However, wire transfers have minimum payment thresholds and may be subject to fees for receiving wire payments or foreign exchange rates.
- Cheque: You’ll be issued a paper cheque through the mail to the address you’ve entered in the Author/Publisher Information section of your account. Cheques have minimum payment thresholds and take longer to receive than electronic methods.
Please note that these payment methods are based on the location of the writer’s bank.
Some payment types may have bank fees. You can check with your bank for the fee details when receiving payments from KDP. Unfortunately, Amazon Payments or PayPal are not currently available as options.
To Conclude
Understanding the KDP payment schedule can help authors plan their finances and have realistic expectations about when they will receive their royalties. Remember, KDP pays royalties approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which sales were made. If you have any further questions about KDP payments, it’s best to reach out to KDP directly for assistance.
I hope this blog post has been helpful in understanding when and how KDP pays its authors. Happy publishing!
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