How Can a Minor Get Published on Amazon KDP?

[CCopperpot85]

My 17 year old kid just asked me for help in getting a book published on Amazon KDP. This is all new to me. Since they are under 18, I am being told I need to publish under my Amazon account and provide my banking information. I do not mind the banking information or the tax liability for now, but I do not want to share access to my Amazon account so that my kid could manage their publication. Is there any way around this?

[Post-Crisis D]

*Maybe* you could setup a publishing company that could have its own Amazon account.  Perhaps you could be the company owner now and transfer over when your kid turns 18.  But those would be things to discuss with an accountant, tax professional or other qualified person.

Or, your kid could start working on a second and third book and have a trilogy or the start of a series ready to go upon turning 18.

[TimothyEllis]

No, there isn't.

Technically, your kid is not allowed to access your account at that level. It doesn't stop people though.

My advice is to wait the extra year to publish.

In the meantime, have the kid apply for whatever tax registration is needed where you are. So as soon as he/she turns 18, the KDP account can be created rapidly.

During that year, get the book edited, proofread, and then continue proofreading on reader devices and after the passage of time.

While that's going on, work on book 2. Be it a new stand alone, or a sequel. If book 2 is finished, repeat the editing and proofing, and get on with book 3.

A year isn't a long time, and hitting the ground running with more than 1 book released a month apart, and having spent the time making sure what is released is as high quality as possible, makes the wait worthwhile.

The other thing is to use social media to build a mailing list of people who want to be advised the moment the book goes on pre-order, or who use Kindle Unlimited and who want to be advised the moment the book goes live. Even a couple of dozen people primed to pre-order and read can make a huge difference to the launch rank, and thus visibility and sales.

There are a number of questions on Quora about this issue, and my advise regardless of the age of the asker is wait until 18, get the book as high quality as possible, and hit the ground running with multiple books on rapid release if you can.

[Jeff Tanyard]

Or, your kid could start working on a second and third book and have a trilogy or the start of a series ready to go upon turning 18.

This is what I'd suggest, too.

Also, welcome to the site, Mr. Copperpot.  Watch out for One-eyed Willie's traps.   

[notthatamanda]

I'd advise copyrighting the book too. If your kid is not interested in writing a second book right now, it is probably still a good idea to let the book sit untouched for a month plus and then reread it. Having word read the book in read aloud is a great way to edit. Kid could learn canva (I think it is canva?) to work on the cover while waiting to turn 18. Having everything ready to go for when they turn 18 is another plan. (I have a 17 year old myself so good luck.)

[idontknowyet]

Or, your kid could start working on a second and third book and have a trilogy or the start of a series ready to go upon turning 18.

This is what I'd suggest, too.

Also, welcome to the site, Mr. Copperpot.  Watch out for One-eyed Willie's traps.   

Rapid release is a beautiful thing to build momentum. This would also be a good time to learn about marketing their books. Take a class or three either at the community college level or there are several decent writer created programs just focused on book marketing.

Welcome!

[David VanDyke]

It's very common fro new folks to publish a first book without knowledge or thought, and they miss opportunities (assuming selling some copies, making some money and possibly beginning a career is a goal, rather than publishing something like a one-off memoir).

So assuming they're writing fiction I second the idea of writing more books and taking more prep time, getting all the ducks in a row and starting of smarter and more strategically when they turn 18.

[Cephus]

There is no way to do it otherwise. Minors are not legally permitted to do so without the permission and involvement of a legal parent or guardian.

[She-la-te-da]

No other way, no workarounds. If the minor got into the account and Amazon found out, it could lead to account termination. No one is to have access to your account but you. Period.

I agree with the others, have them write more books, learn the craft, learn self publishing, then get their own account. If they want to be a writer, it's the best route.