How to make a word search book for Amazon KDP
Word search books sell well because they are relaxing, good for all ages, and easy to theme. Unlike sudoku, the quality of a word search book depends on you: on the themes you choose and the words you put in each list. This guide shows how to plan one.
1. Choose a theme for the whole book
Buyers often search for a topic, not just "word search". A book about animals, the Bible, cooking, sports, travel, or a holiday gives you a clear title and a clear reader. Inside the book, each puzzle can have its own smaller theme, like "Farm animals" or "Ocean animals".
2. Write good word lists
Each puzzle needs its own list, usually 15 to 25 words. Our guide to how to write great word search word lists explains what makes a list fun to solve. In the puzzle book maker, put one list per puzzle, start each list with a line like # Ocean animals to name it, and put --- on its own line between lists.
3. Pick the grid size and directions
Larger grids hold more and longer words, but the letters get smaller on the page. Choose Auto grid size and the tool picks the smallest size that fits every list, then uses it for the whole book so every page looks the same. For directions, easy puzzles use only across and down, medium adds diagonals, and hard allows all eight directions including backwards.
4. Plan the layout
One puzzle per page with the word list underneath is the most popular layout, especially in large print books on 8.5 × 11 inch pages. Solutions go at the back, usually four or six per page.
5. Make and check the PDF
Generate the book, read any notes the tool shows (for example, a word that did not fit), and fix your lists if needed. Then save the PDF and go through the puzzle book checklist before you publish on KDP before you upload it to KDP.
Ready to make your book? It is free, with no sign-up.
Open the puzzle book maker