Can You Sell Public Domain Books On Amazon Kindle Legally?

Lately, I’ve been keeping an eye on the Kindle bestsellers, and it’s fascinating to see what’s trending. This month, Colleen Hoover’s 'It Ends with Us' is still dominating the charts, which isn’t surprising given how emotionally gripping it is. Another standout is 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a book that blends romance, drama, and Hollywood glamour in a way that’s hard to put down. For thriller fans, 'Verity' by Colleen Hoover is also making waves with its dark, twisty plot. On the fantasy side, 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros is a new favorite, offering a mix of dragons, romance, and high-stakes adventure. These books are clearly resonating with readers, and it’s easy to see why they’re topping the lists.

I've been selling books on Amazon Kindle for a while now, and one thing that's worked wonders for me is leveraging social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are perfect for showcasing snippets of the book, especially if it has a striking cover or memorable quotes. I create short videos flipping through the pages or reading a gripping passage to hook potential readers. Engaging with book communities on Reddit and Goodreads also helps. I join discussions about similar genres and subtly mention my book when relevant. Another trick is offering the book for free or at a discount during promotions. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Select program allows for periodic free deals, which can boost visibility and reviews. Reviews are gold on Amazon, so I always encourage readers to leave honest feedback. A well-timed email to my mailing list announcing the promotion also drives traffic. Consistency is key—posting regularly and interacting with readers keeps the book in their minds.

Romance and fantasy dominate Amazon Kindle sales, and it's not hard to see why. Romance readers are voracious, often consuming multiple books a month, and they love series that keep them hooked. The emotional payoff in romance is immediate, and tropes like enemies-to-lovers or fake dating create a sense of comfort and predictability. Fantasy, especially urban fantasy and progression fantasy, offers escapism on a grand scale. Readers crave intricate worlds, magic systems, and characters who grow overpowered over time. Kindle Unlimited has amplified this—readers binge these genres because they feel they’re getting unlimited value for their subscription. Thrillers and sci-fi are also strong contenders, but they require tighter pacing and higher stakes. A thriller that doesn’t deliver twists consistently will flop, while sci-fi needs to balance hard science with relatable characters. Cozy mysteries and litRPG are niche but profitable. Cozy mysteries attract readers who want low-stakes puzzles, while litRPG merges gaming and fantasy, appealing to a dedicated fanbase. The key is understanding reader expectations—genres sell because they promise a specific experience, and delivering on that promise consistently is what builds a loyal audience.

Selling books on Amazon Kindle seems straightforward until you hit the invisible landmines. One major mistake is neglecting the importance of a professional cover design. I’ve seen so many indie authors slap together something in Canva and call it a day, but readers judge books by their covers—literally. A pixelated or amateurish cover screams low quality, and no amount of brilliant writing will compensate for that first impression. Another pitfall is skipping the blurb optimization. Your blurb isn’t just a summary; it’s a sales pitch. Vague or overly long descriptions lose reader interest fast. I’ve watched talented writers bury their work under paragraphs of unnecessary backstory instead of hooking readers with crisp, compelling copy. Pricing is another common blind spot. Some authors price their ebooks too high, thinking it reflects value, but Kindle shoppers expect digital books to be cheaper than print. Others go too low, devaluing their work and attracting bargain hunters who leave harsh reviews. Then there’s the metadata mess—keywords and categories make or break discoverability. Stuffing irrelevant keywords might get short-term clicks, but Amazon’s algorithm penalizes this. I’ve noticed authors ignoring niche categories, too, opting for broad ones where competition drowns them. And let’s not forget formatting. Uploading a manuscript with weird line breaks or font sizes screams unprofessional. Readers return books for less. The worst mistake? Assuming ‘publish and forget’ works. I’ve watched books gather dust because authors didn’t promote them. Social media, email lists, even Kindle ads—they’re not optional if you want visibility. But promotion isn’t just spamming ‘buy my book’ links. Engagement matters. Building a readership takes time, and impatience leads to burnout. Lastly, ignoring reviews is deadly. Constructive criticism helps improve future work, but some authors argue with negative reviews—a surefire way to alienate potential readers.

As someone who constantly keeps an eye on the literary scene, I've noticed that Amazon Kindle's bestsellers often feature a mix of gripping thrillers, heartwarming romances, and thought-provoking non-fiction. 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides has been a consistent top-seller with its psychological twists and turns. Then there's 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens, a beautifully written novel that blends mystery and romance in a lush setting. For non-fiction, 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear remains a favorite, offering practical advice on building good habits and breaking bad ones. In the fantasy realm, 'The House of Hades' by Rick Riordan continues to captivate readers with its mythological adventures. Romance lovers can't go wrong with 'It Ends with Us' by Colleen Hoover, which tackles deep emotional themes with grace. Another standout is 'The Four Winds' by Kristin Hannah, a historical novel that resonates with its powerful storytelling. These books not only top the charts but also leave a lasting impact on readers, making them must-reads for any book lover.

Selling books on Amazon Kindle is like running a marathon—you need strategy, patience, and a killer cover. I’ve seen so many authors make the mistake of just uploading their book and hoping for the best. That’s like opening a lemonade stand in a desert. You gotta treat your book like a product. The cover is your first impression, and if it looks like it was made in MS Paint, readers will scroll right past. Hire a professional or use tools like Canva to make it pop. The blurb is just as important. It’s not a summary; it’s a sales pitch. Hook them in the first three lines or lose them forever. Pricing is another beast. Going too high scares off new readers, but too low makes your book look cheap. I’ve found the sweet spot is between $2.99 and $4.99 for most genres. Amazon’s algorithm loves books that sell consistently, so running occasional promotions or free days can boost visibility. But don’t just rely on Amazon’s ecosystem. Build an email list, leverage social media, and engage with readers. I’ve seen authors turn their TikTok accounts into book-selling machines by sharing snippets or behind-the-scenes content. Finally, reviews are gold. Politely ask readers to leave one—no one thinks to do it unless nudged. A book with no reviews is like a restaurant with no customers; people assume it’s bad.

Getting your book up on Amazon Kindle feels like launching a tiny ship into a vast ocean—exciting but nerve-wracking. From my experience, the technical setup is surprisingly quick. Once you’ve formatted your manuscript (which can take hours or days depending on your tech skills), uploading it to KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is a breeze. The platform walks you through everything: cover design, pricing, metadata. The real time sink? Waiting for approval. Amazon usually reviews your book within 24–72 hours, but I’ve seen some authors get greenlit in under 12. After that, it’s live almost instantly. But here’s the catch: ‘selling’ isn’t the same as ‘being available.’ The moment your book goes live, it’s technically for sale, but visibility takes work. Without keywords, categories, and a solid blurb, your masterpiece might drown in the algorithm. I spent weeks tweaking my book’s metadata after upload, and that’s when sales trickled in. If you’re aiming for Day 1 sales, start marketing *before* publishing—build an ARC team, schedule social media teasers, or tap into niche forums. The process from upload to first sale can be days or months, depending on how much legwork you’re willing to do.

Finding best-selling books on Amazon Kindle is pretty straightforward if you know where to look. I usually start by opening the Kindle app or visiting the Amazon website. On the homepage, there’s a section called 'Best Sellers' under the 'Books' category. Clicking on that takes you to a list of the top-selling books across various genres. You can filter by Kindle eBooks to narrow it down. Another way is to explore the 'Kindle Store' directly and check out the 'Top 100 Paid' or 'Top 100 Free' lists. These are updated hourly, so you’re always seeing the latest trends. I also like to browse by genre if I’m in the mood for something specific, like romance or mystery. The 'Customers Also Bought' section is another goldmine for discovering popular reads. It’s all about exploring and letting the algorithm guide you to the next great book.