What Is KDP Select?

KDP Select is a free, optional enrollment program through Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). When you enroll your eBook, you get access to promotional tools — including the ability to offer your book as a free download for up to 5 days per 90-day enrollment period.

That's exactly what this event uses. Families download your book for free during the event window, discover your work, and you gain visibility, downloads, and potential follow-on readers and reviews.

Enrollment is free. There's no fee to join KDP Select or to participate in this event.

What KDP Select Requires

Before enrolling, there's one important thing to know: during your 90-day enrollment period, your eBook must be exclusive to Amazon.

Here's what that means in practice:

✅ You can sell your paperback and hardcover anywhere — IngramSpark, your website, local events, bookstores, etc.

✅ Your Amazon listing stays exactly the same.

❌ Your Kindle eBook cannot be listed on other platforms (Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.) during the 90-day enrollment period.

After the 90 days are up, you can choose to stay enrolled or return to selling your eBook on other platforms. There's no long-term commitment.

Will I Earn Royalties on Free Downloads?

No — you don't earn royalties on free downloads during the promotion period. That's the trade-off. Most authors use these events to gain visibility, grow their audience, and generate follow-on sales and reviews rather than to earn in the moment.

How to Enroll Your eBook in KDP Select

If your eBook is already on Amazon but not enrolled in KDP Select, here's how to enroll:

1. Log in to your KDP account at kdp.amazon.com

2. Go to your Bookshelf and find your Kindle eBook

3. Click "..." (the three-dot menu) next to the title, then select Edit eBook Details or Manage KDP Select

4. Check the box to enroll in KDP Select and confirm

5. Your enrollment begins immediately and lasts 90 days

Important: If your eBook is currently listed on other platforms, you'll need to remove it from those platforms before or at the time of enrollment to comply with the exclusivity requirement.

How to Schedule Your Free Promo Days

Once your eBook is enrolled in KDP Select, here's how to set up your free promotion for the event:

1. Log in to KDP and go to your Bookshelf

2. Find the book you want to use for the event

3. Click Promote and Advertise (or go to the Marketing tab for that book)

4. Under Run a Price Promotion, choose Free Book Promotion

5. Click Create a Free Book Promotion

6. Enter your start date and end date — you can choose 1–4 days within the event window (Friday, May 22 – Monday, May 25). Memorial Day Monday, May 25 is required for all participating titles.

7. Click Save Changes

8. Double-check the promotion under Promotions for this book to confirm your dates are correct

A few things to keep in mind:

• The promotion must be scheduled at least one day in advance — Amazon does not allow same-day scheduling

• Free promo timing is based on midnight Pacific Time, so factor that in when choosing your dates

• During a single 90-day KDP Select term, you can use either a Free Book Promotion or a Kindle Countdown Deal for that title — not both

• This applies to your Kindle eBook only — print books are not affected

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give away printed books for free?
No. This event is for Kindle eBooks only. Your paperback or hardcover is not changed in any way.

Can I still sell my book elsewhere if I enroll in KDP Select?
Yes — your print editions can be sold anywhere. Only your Kindle eBook needs to be exclusive to Amazon during the 90-day enrollment period.

Do I have to stay in KDP Select after the event?
No. After your 90-day enrollment period ends, you can choose to stay enrolled or return to selling your eBook on other platforms.

What if my book is already published wide and I don't want to pull it from other platforms?
That's completely understandable. In that case, you're welcome to participate in our Summer Book Giveaways instead — no eBook required. [Link to Page 4]

Can authors from outside the U.S. participate?
Yes! This is an online event and authors from around the world are welcome. Books must be written in English, as all content is curated for an English-speaking audience.

Optional: Summer Activity Guide—Submission Guidelines

We are creating a curated Summer Activity Guide to accompany the event and extend reading beyond the holiday weekend. Authors may submit one activity page (PDF) to be considered for inclusion in the Summer Activity Guide. Think simple, printable, and fun!

To keep the guide easy and affordable for families to print at home, please keep the following in mind:

🎨 Design Guidelines

• Use simple, clean designs

• Black-and-white or low-color layouts are strongly encouraged

• Avoid heavy backgrounds or large blocks of color (these use a lot of ink)

• Make sure your page is easy to read and complete when printed

🧒 Kid-Friendly Format

• Keep activities age-appropriate and easy to follow

• Use clear instructions and minimal text

• Aim for something that can be completed independently or with light guidance

📄 File Requirement

• Submit as a PDF file

• Standard size: 8.5 × 11

• One page only

🖍️ Examples may include:

• Coloring pages

• Alphabet scavenger hunt

• Build or draw challenge

• Kindness activity

🔗 Optional (but encouraged)

This is a great opportunity to connect with new readers! You’re welcome to include:

• A small QR code (website, social media, etc)

• Your author name or book title

• Please keep these elements small and unobtrusive so the activity remains the focus.

📌 Please note:

• Not all submissions will be included

• A limited number of pages will be selected to keep the guide manageable and family-friendly

• If your page is selected, it will be included in the final downloadable guide

Optional: Summer Book Giveaway

To keep the excitement going beyond Memorial Day weekend, we will be hosting book bundle giveaways throughout the summer.

Authors may choose to contribute one physical copy of their book to be included in a future giveaway.

How it works:

• Giveaways will take place periodically throughout the summer

• Books may be grouped into themed bundles

• Winners will be selected and contacted by Kids Book Hub

• The author is responsible for shipping the book directly to the winner

Important notes:

• Shipping costs are the responsibility of the author

• Winners may be located in different regions or countries

• Timing of each giveaway will vary

• Participation is completely optional

• Participation in the giveaway is completely optional

What Happens After You Submit

• Submissions are reviewed for fit

• If selected, you’ll receive confirmation and next steps

• You’ll schedule your free promo dates through Amazon KDP

• We’ll include your book in the official event list

Please review all sections above before submitting to ensure this event is a good fit for your book.