How to Set Up an Amazon Author Central Account

​Stone Compass Press strongly encourages every author to create and maintain an Amazon Author Central account. This free platform allows you to claim your official Amazon Author Page, connect all your published books to one profile, and present a professional and consistent identity to readers.

Your Author Page may appear across Amazon, Audible, and Kindle, making it one of the most valuable tools available for building your author platform.
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Why Author Central is important:

• Gives readers one central place to discover all your books
• Adds your professional biography and author photograph to Amazon
• Helps distinguish you from authors with similar names
• Allows readers to follow you for information about future releases
• May notify eligible followers when a new book becomes available or is offered for preorder
• Lets you monitor your Amazon Best Sellers Rank
• Collects customer reviews for your books in one dashboard
• Shows how many Amazon customers are following you
• Provides access to BookScan sales information in the United States
• Allows you to add professional editorial reviews in the United States
• Supports author biographies in multiple languages
• Gives you greater control over how your author identity is presented to readers

There is no charge to use Author Central, and claiming your Author Page does not change your publishing agreement, royalties, book ownership, or relationship with Stone Compass Press.

How to create your Author Central account:

1. Visit Amazon Author Central.
2. Click “Join for free.”
3. Sign in using your existing Amazon account. If you do not already have an Amazon account, follow the prompts to create one. If you have a Kindle Direct Publishing account of your own, Amazon recommends using the same login information.
4. Search for one of your published books. You can search by:
   • Book title
   • Author name
   • ISBN
   • Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN)
5. Select the correct book from the search results.
6. Click “Yes, join as [your author name]” to claim the book and begin creating your Author Page.
7. Amazon may ask you to confirm your identity or association with the book. Follow any verification instructions sent to your email address.

If you already use Kindle Direct Publishing, you may also access Author Central by following these steps:

1. Sign in to your KDP account.
2. Open the “Marketing” page.
3. Find the “Author Central” section.
4. Select your primary Amazon marketplace, usually Amazon.com.
5. Click “Manage author page.”
6. Click “Join for free” and follow the prompts.

After your account is approved:

1. Add all your books.

Review your list of titles and claim any additional books or editions that belong to you. Be sure to include paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook editions when available. Do not claim another author’s book simply because the author has a similar name.

1. Upload a professional author photograph.

Choose a clear, recent, high-quality image that represents you well. A professional headshot with a simple background generally works best.

1. Write your author biography.

Your biography should introduce you to readers while highlighting your experience, interests, accomplishments, published work, and any relevant professional or personal background. Write in the third person and keep the information current.

1. Review your books and editions.

Make sure your books are properly associated with your author name. If a book or edition is missing, use the “Add a Book” feature or contact Amazon Author Central Support.

1. Add editorial reviews when available.

Editorial reviews may include professional reviews, media coverage, endorsements, or approved quotations from recognized reviewers and publications. This feature is currently available for the U.S. marketplace.

1. Monitor your author dashboard.

Author Central allows you to review customer feedback, track Best Sellers Rank, view your follower count, and access available BookScan information. Please remember that BookScan data is not a complete royalty or Amazon sales report.

1. Keep your page updated.

Update your biography, photograph, books, and professional information whenever something changes. An outdated or incomplete Author Page can weaken an otherwise strong book presentation.

Once your page is complete, please send the link to Stone Compass Press so we can include it in appropriate promotional materials and author marketing campaigns.

Amazon’s official instructions and additional information are available through the Author Central Help page.

If you encounter a problem claiming your book or setting up your page, please let us know. We will be happy to provide guidance where possible.

Thank you for taking this important step in building your professional author presence.
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Warm regards,
Zach Parker
Publisher
Stone Compass Press