Freedom Self-Publishing
Review

Ambitious Amazon KDP System Aimed at Beginners, but Execution Leaves Gaps

Medium
  • Last updated 17/06/2025
by Sean Dollwet

What you'll learn ? Overview

Sean Dollwet’s Freedom Self-Publishing is a 9-week program that promises to help you build a profitable Amazon KDP business… without writing a single word! That claim definitely catches your attention, and we’ll come back to it.

Sean, who became a self-made millionaire at 26 through KDP, doesn’t just teach from theory: he’s someone who’s actually done it. The course guides you through everything: picking a niche, keyword research, outsourcing book creation, designing covers, launch strategies, and building an email list.

What really stands out is the access to a private Facebook mastermind group and monthly coaching calls, which add real support beyond the video lessons. You also get templates, checklists, and something called a “90-Day Action-Based Refund Guarantee,” which we’ll discuss later.

The course is neatly broken down into nine modules, starting with mindset shifts, then moving into the technical setup of KDP, ranking strategies, and scaling tactics. There’s even a bonus module for international students dealing with ACX restrictions. The focus is mostly on nonfiction and low-content book (not fiction).

Is it just another “get rich quick” scheme? Not quite. The approach feels thoughtful, with a solid community backing it. Still, at $997, you’ll want to weigh whether it’s worth it compared to the many free KDP resources available online. It’s definitely a decision to consider carefully.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

👉

Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Complete beginners wanting hand-holding through KDP setup, individuals with capital for outsourcing, those preferring structured learning over self-directed research, aspiring publishers who value community support

Instructor

Sean Dollwet

Self-Made Millionaire and Amazon KDP Expert Legitimacy Score: 8/10
Sean Dollwet is a self-made millionaire who achieved success through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform. He specializes in creating and selling non-fiction books, leveraging YouTube for affiliate marketing, and developing informational courses. Dollwet's expertise lies in teaching others how to build profitable online businesses, particularly in the self-publishing niche.
Starting his entrepreneurial journey in 2016, Dollwet quickly scaled his Amazon KDP business to generate multi-six-figure revenues. He later expanded his portfolio to include YouTube content creation and course development. In 2023, Dollwet sold his initial self-publishing business for nearly $1 million, showcasing his ability to build and monetize online assets.
  • Became a self-made millionaire by age 26 through Amazon KDP
  • Built a multi-six-figure Amazon KDP business
  • Sold his self-publishing business for close to $1 million
  • Created the 'Royalty Hero' course, teaching others about KDP success
  • Achieved multi-time Amazon bestselling author status
  • Featured on the 'Entrepreneur' website as a contributing author
  • Appeared in numerous YouTube interviews discussing self-publishing strategies
  • Hosted regular coaching calls and webinars for his course students
  • Sean Dollwet is highly active on YouTube, regularly posting content about Amazon KDP, self-publishing strategies, and online business tips. He frequently engages with his audience through community posts and video comments, sharing insights and answering questions about entrepreneurship and passive income generation.

    Course Details

    • ⏱ Duration63
    • 📶 DifficultyMedium
    • ⌛ Access Lifetime
    • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

    🧠 Prerequisites

    None stated, marketed as beginner-friendly


    💻 Requirements

    Computer, reliable internet, Amazon KDP account (free), initial capital for outsourcing


    💸 Hidden Costs

    Ghostwriters ($100-$500 per book), cover designers ($50-$200), Amazon PPC ads ($100-$500 monthly), keyword research tools ($30-$100 monthly)


    🙋‍♂️ Support Options

    Private Facebook mastermind group, monthly group coaching calls, no direct 1-on-1 support included

    Course content

    • Module 1: The Transformation & Mindset - Goal setting, success psychology, treating publishing as a business
    • Module 2: The Basics & Foundation - KDP account setup, understanding Amazon's ecosystem, essential tools
    • Module 3: Finding Profitable Niches & Keywords - Market research techniques, competition analysis, keyword selection strategies
    • Module 4: Creating Your Best-Selling Book - Content planning, hiring ghostwriters, quality control, book structuring
    • Module 5: Create A Bestselling Cover That Sells - Design principles, working with designers, A/B testing covers
    • Module 6: Amazon KDP Set Up & Uploading Your Book - Technical formatting, metadata optimization, category selection
    • Module 7: Ranking Your Book To #1 Bestseller - Launch strategies, review generation, Amazon algorithm exploitation
    • Module 8: Scaling Your Publishing Business - Portfolio building, email marketing, automation strategies
    • Module 9: Setting Up Your Business For Success - Legal structures, tax considerations, long-term planning
    • Bonus: ACX Creation for International Students - Workarounds for publishing restrictions outside US/UK/Canada

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    Feedbacks

    Overall sentiment

    Mixed reactions dominate the conversation. While Sean's Trustpilot rating sits at 4.6/5 stars (based on 362 reviews), we found significant polarization between satisfied beginners and skeptical experienced publishers.

    Praised points

    • Structured learning path that eliminates overwhelm for beginners
    • Active Facebook community providing real-time support and accountability
    • No-fluff approach with actionable templates and checklists

    Criticisms

    • High price point for information available elsewhere for free
    • Restrictive refund policy requiring specific actions to qualify
    • Overstated income claims that don't match typical student results

    Testimonials

    "Very informative, no fluff. The Facebook group is super helpful." - Irene (verified student)

     "If you follow the steps, you can expect a median of $300-$400/mo per published book." - Course disclaimer

     "Much of this you can learn free on YouTube." - Reddit user in r/selfpublishing

     "Great for total newbies, but advanced people won't find anything new." - KDP Community member

     "Worst course I've ever bought. The information you can get for free on YouTube." - TT (Trustpilot 1-star review)

    Social insights

    Reddit discussions reveal interesting patterns. Several users in r/selfpublishing expressed frustration, with one stating, "You could learn all this for free but it's well structured." The KDP Community forums show respect for Sean compared to other "gurus," but many question whether $997 justifies access to organized information readily available on YouTube. We found threads warning newcomers about the low barrier to entry in KDP, meaning competition is fierce.

    Video review

    Marketing Analysis

    Claim Verification

    The promise of building a "Profitable Online Publishing Business WITHOUT Writing A Single Word" holds partial truth. Yes, you can outsource writing, but this requires significant management, quality control, and upfront investment. The $300-$400 monthly per book disclaimer contradicts testimonials showing $7,000+ monthly earnings.

    Price History

    Current pricing stands at $997 (or 3x$400). We found no evidence of significant discounts or price changes, suggesting stable high-ticket positioning.

    Upsell Practices

    The course hints at "Freedom Scaling Pro" for students earning $1k-$2k monthly, though pricing remains hidden. This tiered system suggests additional investment requirements for advanced strategies.

    Student Success

    While the sales page features impressive testimonials (Kevin G. at $7,000+/month, Micky A. at $10,000+/month), we couldn't independently verify these claims. The fine print's admission that most see $300-$400 monthly per book appears more realistic based on industry standards.

    Platform & Delivery

    Learning Platform

    Web-based member portal (likely Teachable or similar LMS). No major technical complaints found in reviews, suggesting adequate functionality.

    Content Accessibility

    Lifetime access to video lessons, though downloads aren't confirmed. Templates and resources presumably downloadable based on course type.

    Mobile Compatibility

    Standard mobile-responsive design expected, though desktop recommended for implementation work.

    Technical Requirements

    Basic computer, broadband internet, modern web browser. No specialized software required initially.

    Red flags check

    😬

    Complaints

    The most significant issue we uncovered involves the refund policy. Despite marketing a "90-Day Action-Based Refund Guarantee," students must watch 50% of content AND publish a book following course methods to qualify. Ricardo (July 2023 Trustpilot review) stated: "The information provided by Sean in his course, especially for the price, is information readily available for free on YouTube or even through a simple Google search."

    😬

    Refund policy issues

    The "Action-Based" refund requirement creates a catch-22, you must implement the entire system (including spending money on outsourcing) before qualifying for a refund. This policy drew multiple one-star reviews on Trustpilot.

    😬

    Marketing practices

    The headline claim "WITHOUT Writing A Single Word" technically holds true through outsourcing, but understates management effort and costs. Income testimonials showcase "$7,000+ Per Month" results, yet the fine print admits most students see $300-$400 monthly per book. This gap between marketing promises and typical outcomes raises concerns.

    😬

    Community feedback

    External communities express skepticism about the course's unique value proposition. Several Reddit threads explicitly recommend free YouTube channels over this paid course, citing similar content quality without the financial risk.

    Is this course legit?

    Value For Money

    At $997, Freedom Self-Publishing sits firmly in high-ticket territory for what many consider freely available information. The structured approach and community access add value, but ROI depends heavily on implementation and additional investment in book production. Most students earning $300-$400 monthly per book would need 3+ successful books just to recoup course costs.

    Conclusion

    We found Freedom Self-Publishing to be a legitimate but overpriced introduction to Amazon KDP. Sean Dollwet's experience and the course structure provide real value for absolute beginners who need guidance. The community support and monthly calls differentiate it from pure self-study options. 
    However, several factors prevent our full recommendation. The restrictive refund policy creates unnecessary risk at this price point. Marketing claims about income potential don't align with typical results disclosed in fine print. Most critically, the vast majority of content can be learned free through YouTube (including Sean's own channel), making the premium pricing difficult to justify.
    For those with disposable income who value structured learning and community support, it could accelerate their KDP journey. But budget-conscious learners should explore free resources first, only considering this course if they struggle with self-directed learning. The 6.2/10 legitimacy score reflects solid content undermined by problematic policies and pricing.

    FAQs about this course

    It's Sean Dollwet's comprehensive course teaching Amazon KDP publishing through outsourcing writing and design work, including community access and monthly coaching calls.

    The course costs $997 one-time or three monthly payments of $400, but expect additional costs for outsourcing and ads.

    They offer a 90-Day Action-Based Guarantee requiring you to watch 50% of content AND publish a book using their methods, a significant hurdle for dissatisfied students.

    Yes, through outsourcing to ghostwriters, but this requires upfront investment ($100-$500 per book) and project management skills.

    The course disclaimer states most students earn $300-$400 monthly per book, not the $7,000+ featured in testimonials.

    Many students cite the private mastermind group as valuable for questions and networking, one of the course's stronger features.

    Budget for ghostwriters ($100-$500), cover design ($50-$200), and Amazon ads ($100-$500 monthly) beyond the course fee.

    The core strategies are widely available free, this course adds structure, templates, and community support for those who value guided learning.

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    Freedom Self-Publishing Review
    $ 997
    Total score: 6,0/10 ⭐
    • Duration63
    • DifficultyMedium
    • Release Date01/2022
    • Format Self-Paced or Mastermind
    • AccessLifetime
    • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
    • Payment Options One-Time
    • LanguageEnglish
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    Freedom Self-Publishing Review