Are you hiding your book in plain sight? Let’s talk about how genre, subgenre, and metadata can make or break your discoverability—and what you can do about it today.
Why Genre Is More Than Just a Label
Genre isn’t just a creative choice—it’s your first impression to potential readers. When you nail the right genre and subgenre, you’re speaking directly to your ideal reader’s wishlist. When you get it wrong… well, your book might as well be shelved behind the fiction equivalent of a secret trapdoor.
Amazon has played dirty before and navigating their algorithm is really tough. You have to watch out for their antics. Read more here about other times Amazon kicked authors into an abyss.
Subgenre: The Secret Sauce of Book Marketing
Subgenres are how you niche down to rise to the top of the 4.4 million book pile (that is how many new books are published each year on average). Think of it this way: readers don’t want “just fantasy”—they want “cozy cottagecore fantasy with cinnamon-roll heroes and magical teashops.” (Yes, that’s a thing, and yes, it’s trending.)
In our latest episode of Pros Talking Prose, I chatted with Troy Lambert (aka The Plot Dude) about:
- The different genres and why they are important to leverage for your sales
- How to research what’s trending right now
- Why chasing a trend vs. creating a timeless subgenre brand is a balancing act
Amazon Metadata: Your Book’s Digital GPS
If genre is your signpost, metadata is the roadmap. This includes:
- Amazon categories
- Keywords
- BISAC codes
- Backend metadata that helps platforms show your book to the right people
Troy and I discussed how Amazon is constantly tweaking its category structure, which means authors must stay proactive about updating their listings.
If you need to know what other tools are available when crafting and publishing your book, check out Tools that Make Writing and Publishing Easier.
Tools We Use to Nail Genre & Categories
Here are our go-to resources (and yes, we use them all regularly):
- K-lytics for market reports
- Publisher Rocket for keyword and category research
- Amazon Best Seller lists for real-time trend spotting
- Goodreads lists and reader reviews to track expectations in specific subgenres
Pro Tip: Don’t assume Amazon placed your book in the best category. Check your ASIN and compare it to your competition regularly.
Signs You’re in the Wrong Genre or Category
- Readers leave confused reviews (“Was this supposed to be a romance?”)
- You’re not showing up in keyword or category searches
- Your sales stagnate despite strong covers and blurbs
- The book feels lonely—no comp titles, no reader engagement
Watch the Full Episode of Pros Talking Prose
🎥 From Lost to Found: Using Genre & Metadata to Skyrocket Book Sales
Troy Lambert and I break it all down on the latest episode of Pros Talking Prose. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll never look at BISAC codes the same again. 😉
Want to Publish Smarter, Not Harder?
🎓 InPrint Academy is your go-to publishing course for indie authors who want to keep control and create pro-level books.
📈 Whether you’re at the idea stage or knee-deep in publishing decisions, our BOOKS System will walk you through every step—team building, launch prep, metadata optimization, and more.
✍️ Plot feeling wobbly? Visit Troy Lambert Writes and get unstuck with help from The Plot Dude himself.
Your Turn: How’s Your Genre Working for You?
Drop a comment below and tell me:
- What genre or subgenre are you writing in?
- Have you ever had to reposition a book after launch?
- What tools do you use to research your market?
Let’s crowdsource some wisdom—because publishing is better when we learn from each other.
