Recently, I've been exploring how to create and publish journals and other low content books on Amazon. I decided to start very simply, by designing a few sermon journals. Here is some information that I have learned and some examples of my first publications.
https://www.amazon.com/author/karenbosch
Generating Covers using Ideogram AI:
I started by using the Ideogram AI website and started generating a variety of cover ideas. For each cover style, I generated and remixed about 20 covers, so I could pick the best design. I thought Ideagram generated many beautiful designs that i could use! Many designs needed a bit of editing to remove sight flaws, which I did using Apple's AI erase feature in Photos or using Procreate to color over various spots. Here is some information on Ideogram:
- Ideogram has both free and paid options. As of 12/07/24, the free option can be used commercially. The free option uses a slow generation, which can be VERY slow and sometimes is full so you have to wait. I found that the wait time is better on very early mornings.
- Ideogram free gives you 10 credits a day, which allows you 5 prompt generations of 4 images, for a total of 20 images a day.
- I created covers in the 2 x 3 size, which fit perfectly for a 6 x 9 book cover.
- Ideogram does a much better job with accurately creating text than the other generators that I have tried. If it looked slightly off, I would remix the design to see if the lettering would improve.
- I also tried to create a similar small image that I could use to decorate the back cover.
- For the interior title back, I turned cover image black and white. I also removed the title part of the graphic so I could add a space where people could add their own name.
Creating an Amazon KDP account:
It is fairly easy set up an account that you can use with Kindle Direct Publishing:
Preparing cover and interior pdfs for publication using Canva and publishing using KDP:
I used this video from Self Publishing Central to guide me through the process of preparing the front/back cover in Canva using a template from KDP. It also shared an easy process for creating the interior content. I kept my pages simple, but hope to eventually improve them and make them more decorative. The video also goes through step-by-step how to add everything into KDP. This video really showed me most everything I needed to know and was most helpful!
I used Chat GPT to help me write the description of my journal that I used on Amazon. I told it the features that I wanted to highlight and let it create an interesting description that would be good for SEO/Search Engine Optimization. Then I edited the description to make sure it represented my journal content.
Publishing my first journal:
I decided to make some a simple sermon journal for my first publication. The first time through the process and getting my account set up took a couple of afternoons. Here are a few things that I learned:
- I was denied publication on my first two tries. They did not give specific information on what was wrong, just some general guidelines. I finally figured out that the title on the cover had to match EXACTLY what you list for the title when setting up the publication information in KDP. (I had a plural "notes" for one of them.)
- Publication approval takes about 72 hours. They send an email when the publication is live.
- Getting the "bleed" right for the cover to fit exactly was a bit tricky. My first attempt had edges that were slightly uneven on the cover. I learned to try to create covers in Ideogram that did not have an edge and had a flat color background that could be matched in Canva was helpful.
- I ordered a copy of my first journal so I could check out how it looked. I set my price at $7.99 and could get free delivery in a couple of days using Amazon Prime. It looks like the time for delivery might vary - with the holidays approaching it might take longer.
- I am continuing to make and publish more journals. Right now I am reusing the interior content and changing the covers and title pages. Once I have covers and art work generated, I can create the pdfs in Canva and upload the content to KDP in about 40 minutes.
My Journals:
Here are some links to the journals that I currently have published. I love the covers and think that they are pretty! Click on the image and it will open the page in Amazon:
