How I Published My Bible Study Book Using Canva + Amazon KDP (Step-by-Step!)

Today marks day one of my summer vacation, and I’m challenging myself to be intentional with my time each day for the next 31 days. One of the projects closest to my heart that I am ready to publish is a Bible study book using Canva that I created for my daughter. At just eight years old, she’s already navigating the ups and downs of friendship. She loves deeply and feels deeply, something that’s both beautiful and challenging. As her mom, I’m doing my best to equip her with tools to manage her emotions and become the kind of friend she hopes to have.

One of the most important lessons I want her to learn is that she can’t control others, but she can choose how she responds. I turn to Scripture to guide her (and myself!), because I want her relationship with God to shape her identity and fuel her growth.

This devotional is a collection of our real conversations, honest reflections, and heart-to-hearts over the past two years. I designed every page in Canva, then published it using Amazon KDP. It’s a free and user-friendly platform that transformed our digital workbook into a real paperback, now available for others to use and enjoy.

Have a devotional, journal, or kids’ workbook you’ve designed in Canva? You can turn it into a real book on Amazon with zero publishing experience, just like I did!

In this post, I’ll walk you step-by-step through how I used Canva to design my book and Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to make it available for anyone to purchase online.

📚 Step 1: Design Your Book in Canva

If you already have your book idea, you’re halfway there! Here’s what I did:

1. Use a standard print size. I used 8.5×11 inches in Canva for my Bible study pages.

2. Keep margins in mind. Amazon recommends at least 0.25″ on all sides—more for the inside margin (gutter). Here’s a tutorial on how to create margins in Canva perfect for Amazon KDP.

3. Design your interior. Include:

   • Title page

   • Table of contents

   • Devotional content

   • Prompts, prayers, coloring pages, and reflections

   • A “This book belongs to” page

   • A “How to Use This Book” intro

   • A “You Did It!” finish page

4. Download your finished book as a PDF for print (from Canva’s download options).

📘 Step 2: Create Your Book Cover in Canva

Your book cover is the first thing people see! For more details on there is a Step-by-Step: How to Use Amazon KDP’s Cover Template in Canva in this blog post.

1. Go to KDP Cover Calculator: https://kdp.amazon.com/cover-calculator

2. Enter your page count, trim size (e.g., 8.5×11″), and download the cover template.

3. Upload the template into Canva and design your full wraparound cover (front, spine, and back).

4. When done, download as PDF Print.

📌 TIP: Save your Canva project in case you need to update your book later!

✍️ Step 3: Create Your Amazon KDP Account

1. Go to https://kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account.

2. Click “Create a Paperback.”

3. Fill in your book’s title, subtitle, author name, and description.

4. Choose your keywords (e.g., girls devotional, friendship Bible study) and categories (like Christian > Children’s > Devotional).

5. Set your primary audience (e.g., Children 8–12).

🧾 Step 4: Upload Your Manuscript & Cover

1. On the Paperback Content page, upload your:

   • Interior PDF (from Canva)

   • Cover PDF (with the KDP template)

2. Choose:

   • Black & white interior with white paper (for devotionals)

   • Bleed: Yes (if your design goes to the edge)

   • Matte or Glossy cover finish

3. Launch the Previewer Tool to check for formatting issues.

💵 Step 5: Set Your Pricing & Hit Publish!

1. Choose your Amazon marketplaces (U.S., UK, etc.)

2. Set your book price (typically $6.99–$14.99 for devotionals)

3. Click Publish Your Paperback Book 🎉

Your book will be live within 72 hours on Amazon!

📝 FREEBIE: Canva + KDP Checklist for Creators!

Want a checklist to keep at your desk while you work? Download my Free Canva-to-KDP Bible Study Book Checklist here:

🔽 Click here to download your free checklist PDF

💡 Final Thoughts

Publishing your own Bible study or devotional isn’t just possible, it’s powerful. Whether you’re creating something for your own kids, your church group, or the world, this tool makes it real.

If I can do it, so can you.

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Know someone who’s written a devotional or journal and wants to publish it? Share this with them!

✅ Want Help Designing or Publishing Yours?

Drop a comment below, I’d love to help you bring your vision to life!