Amazon Author Central is a free tool that lets you claim your books, build an author page with a photo and biography and see how your books are doing on Amazon. To set it up, sign in with an Amazon account, search for your books and claim them, then complete your author profile and check that every edition appears under your name. It takes about an hour, and a complete author page helps readers trust you and find your other books.
This guide walks through each step, explains what to put on the page and covers common problems, such as missing editions and wrong author names. Amazon changes Author Central’s features from time to time, so check what is available when you sign in. If you want help, our Amazon Author Central setup service handles it. For the wider publishing process, see how to publish a book on Amazon KDP.
Key takeaways
- Author Central is free and separate from your KDP account
- Claim every edition of every book, so readers see them together on your page
- Your bio, photo and links shape how readers see you, so keep them consistent across sites
- Check the page after each new book, because editions can go missing
- Use the same author name on every book, to avoid split pages
In this article
- What is Amazon Author Central?
- How do I create an Author Central account?
- How do I claim my books?
- What should my author bio say?
- What photo and other details should I add?
- How does Author Central help sales and trust?
- What are the common Author Central problems?
- How should I keep my author page up to date?
- Frequently asked questions
- Services that can help
What is Amazon Author Central?
Author Central is the place where Amazon lets authors manage their public author page. You can claim your books, add a biography and photograph, link your social profiles and blog and see information about how your books are selling. The author page appears when readers click your name on a book page. It works across Amazon’s different country stores, though each store’s page may need to be set up separately. It is not the same as your KDP account, which manages publishing and royalties.
How do I create an Author Central account?
Go to the Author Central site, sign in with your Amazon account and follow the prompts to create an author profile. Use the name that appears on your books, and keep it consistent. You may be asked to confirm your identity or verify that you are the author of the books you claim. Use an email you control and can access in the long term, not a work address you might lose. Once the account is open, you can start adding information.
How do I claim my books?
Search for your name or the titles of your books in Author Central and select the ones you wrote. Claim each edition: the paperback, the hardcover, the Kindle eBook and the audiobook, if you have one. Amazon may ask you to confirm that you are the author. If a book is missing, check that the author name on the book page matches your profile exactly, since different spellings create separate pages. Our listing fixes service helps when editions do not appear.
What should my author bio say?
A good bio is short, specific and written for readers. Start with who you are and what you write, then add one or two facts that build trust, such as your background, your qualifications for a non-fiction topic or what inspires your stories. End with a way to connect, like your website or newsletter. Write in the third person for most uses, keep it to a short paragraph and match the tone of your books. Use the same facts on your website and social profiles.
What photo and other details should I add?
Add a clear, friendly photograph that looks like you, with good lighting and a simple background. Link your website, blog and social profiles if you want readers to follow you. Author Central has offered other features, such as videos, an events section and updated book information, but Amazon changes them over time, so use what is available when you sign in. Keep everything accurate, current and consistent with your other online profiles.
How does Author Central help sales and trust?
A complete author page makes you look like a professional, helps readers find the rest of your books and gives them a reason to follow you. Readers who like one book often look for your other titles, and the author page puts them in one place. It also gives you access to information about your sales that can help you see which books and formats are working. It is not a ranking tool, and it will not make a weak book sell, but it removes friction for readers who are already interested.
What are the common Author Central problems?
- Editions that do not appear because of a different author name or a missing link
- Books from another author with the same name appearing on your page
- A profile for each Amazon store that needs setup separately
- Out-of-date bios and photos
- A second author or pen name that splits your catalogue
Most problems can be fixed by correcting metadata in KDP or by contacting Author Central support with evidence of the books you wrote.
How should I keep my author page up to date?
Check the page whenever you publish a new book, change your pen name or update your branding. Make sure every new edition appears and that the order of books is correct, with series grouped logically through series page setup. Update your bio after major milestones such as awards or a new genre. Link to your newsletter and add your latest book prominently. A few minutes of upkeep every few months keeps your page working for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amazon Author Central free?
Yes. It is free for authors, and it is separate from KDP and from any paid services.
Do I need Author Central to sell on Amazon?
No. You can sell with KDP alone, but Author Central gives you an author page and extra information.
Why are my books not showing on my author page?
The author name on the book may differ from your profile, or the edition may not be claimed. Check both, and contact support if needed.
Can I have an Author Central page for a pen name?
Yes. You can create a profile for each name, which helps if you write in different genres.
Do I need to set up Author Central in every country?
Often yes, because different Amazon stores keep separate pages. Check each store you sell in.
Can I edit my author bio later?
Yes. You can update it at any time, and changes usually appear after a short review.
Services that can help
- Amazon Author Central setup
- Amazon book listing fixes
- Amazon series page setup
- Amazon book listing optimization
- Author branding
This guide is part of our amazon publishing guides and connects to our amazon publishing services.