Why Amazon's New Royalty Rules Might Just Be the Nudge You Needed

Well, publishing friends — today’s the day! As of 14th May 2025, Amazon KDP has officially made a change that could affect how much you earn from every paperback book sale. If you’ve been underpricing your books (perhaps out of modesty, imposter syndrome, or sheer guesswork), it might be time to rethink those numbers.

What’s Changed?

Amazon KDP has introduced a new royalty structure for paperbacks. Here’s the short and sweet version:

• Books priced under £7.98 will now receive a 50% royalty rate.

• Books priced at £7.99 or above will continue to receive the standard 60% royalty rate.

Yes, you read that right. If your beautifully crafted book is currently priced at, say, £6.99 — you’ll now earn less per sale than you did yesterday.

Why the Change?

Amazon says it’s part of aligning royalty rates with the costs of producing and distributing low-priced books. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that the platform is encouraging authors to price their books more sustainably — for everyone’s sake.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re publishing wellbeing books — journals, planners, workbooks, or how-to guides — you’re likely already pouring love, time, and energy into each one. These aren’t throwaway reads; they’re tools your clients and customers use to improve their daily lives. And they have real value.

So here’s the bottom line:
If your book is priced under £7.98, you are now earning less.
If your book is priced at £7.99 or higher, you're getting rewarded with a higher royalty.

That makes this the perfect moment to ask yourself...

Is It Time to Put Your Prices Up?

Yes. Probably. Absolutely.

There’s no medal for undercharging, and in the world of wellbeing, cheap doesn’t always equal cheerful. You deserve to be fairly paid for your creativity and expertise. And your customers are often more than willing to invest in something that feels high-quality and intentional — especially when it’s helping them feel better, live well, or stay organised.

Besides, £7.99 isn’t expensive. It’s the price of:

• Two oat milk lattes,

• One third of a yoga class,

• Or a journal that supports someone’s mental wellbeing for a whole month (or longer).

Not Sure How to Change Your Prices?

Here’s a quick checklist:

1. Log into your KDP dashboard.

2. Click into your book details.

3. Edit your paperback pricing to reflect your new (or actual) worth.

4. Click publish.

It only takes a few minutes, and it means you won’t lose out on royalties going forward.

Final Thoughts

This change might feel frustrating at first, especially if you’ve got multiple books listed at lower price points. But it’s also a brilliant opportunity to reassess, realign, and reclaim the value of your work.

Remember — pricing isn’t just about numbers. It’s about perception, confidence, and sustainability. And today’s royalty change? It’s your nudge from the universe (via Amazon) to start pricing like a pro.

You’ve got this. And your books are worth it.