Publisher Rocket - how to find Amazon keywords and categories

 

PUBLISHER ROCKET

After months, maybe years of work - editing, cover design etc. you have a shiny book, all ready to publish. 

After carefully considering whether you should try to go with a traditional publisher or indie, I'm presuming you've chosen the indie path. 

Amazon still have the market share of ebooks, so you will probably want to at least publish there. There's a whole other post on Kindle Unlimited vs Wide btw. But either way, you will be faced with these options:

Categories

This is actually a complex question and needs careful consideration. Have you even decided which sub-genre your book is in? Time to do that now if you haven't. 

You want to give your book its best chance of being seen. And some categories are bigger than others. 

This is the first way Publisher Rocket can help. That link takes you to a very helpful, in-depth article. But basically, there's a 'category finder' tool within Publisher Rocket which will help you discover which categories are best for your book. 

Top tip: Once you've chosen your best categories and set up your book in KDP, you can add up to TEN categories if you email KDP Support (via the help on their site). 

Keywords

And then there's the KDP keywords to choose. Phew, this can all get a bit confusing and a little overwhelming. 

These keywords will help when readers search for books - we want your books to show up in searches, right? Right. 

So, back to Rocket we go, and research Keywords using that tool. Another helpful link right there. 

So, that's probably enough to get your book 'live' on the Amazon site. And it'll probably help if you publish on other sites such as Draft2Digital (which push your book out to all other platforms). They actually can put your book on Amazon too, but I personally keep mine separate so I can access the advertising features on Amazon. 

Ah, advertising! 

I'm very sorry to say, that your book won't be magickally discovered my millions of readers just because it exists. 

Once that publish button has been pressed (if not before), the marketing starts! Now, you don't need to panic over this at all. Take your time. It's all a learning curve.

I've already written a blog post on your marketing options and how to go about it even if you're an introvert (which most authors seem to be btw).

One of the most effective advertising methods I've discovered is AMS adverts - Amazon Marketing Services. 

The bonus there is that you're putting your book in front of people already on the Amazon website who are literally searching for books. In the above-mentioned blog post, there's links to two very good courses (one run by Dave Chesson, the creator of Rocket btw). It's really worth doing your homework on AMS ads - there's a lot to learn to make them both effective AND profitable. 

Like I said, you don't have to do everything all at once. Breathe. 

But, when you're ready, and you've done one or both of those courses, then you'll want to find AMS Keywords (different from the KDP ones). Yes, I know, nothing's ever simple, but this is the system we have, so we just have to learn how to use it. (*sending you an Internet Hug*)

AMS Keywords

OK, these are the ad keywords. The ones that will pop your books up more because you're paying to advertise your book. Have you ever searched Amazon and seen a 'sponsored product'? This is what you're creating with AMS ads. This is how you get there. 

It's a highly competitive market - there's millions of books and many authors and publishers all trying to get their book/s noticed. 

Again, Publisher Rocket can help you find the most competitive and best keywords to use in your ads. 

AND there's now a UK option in Publisher Rocket! Click on the flag in the top right to choose the country you're advertising in. The US is the largest market, but more and more are using other Amazon sites to advertise on. This actually involves setting up advertising console accounts on each of those sites too, but once you've done it the first time it gets easier. 

I'm honoured to say I helped with that (in a very small way). I was one of the beta testers for their UK section. 

DO keep a spreadsheet, so you can track your spend and royalty income - keep track of where and what you're doing. 

So, if you think it sounds like a useful tool, and there's no pressure to, but if you do, then you can download Publisher Rocket here. At the moment, it costs $97 as a one-off fee. I do like to point you to free stuff normally - the publishing world costs money and we like to make savings. But I personally feel this one's worth paying a bit of money for - a lot of work goes into it, especially when Amazon make page changes and they have to adapt. 

Always in love and light,

TL

(post includes affiliate links)

Staying at Daisy's - will stay in my heart

Date read: 14th September 2020

My rating: 4.5*

Genre I reckon: Chick Lit 

Buy link: Amazon 

When times are dark, there's nothing like a good chick lit novel to lift one's spirits. And this one filled the brief beautifully. 

Confession: I'd...never...read... a Jill Mansell book - shocking, I know. But there it is. So many books, so little time. And I've remedied the situation now. 

So, Staying At Daisy's - my head kept trying to place the hotel in Scotland, but no, it's near Bath (a city I love btw). Daisy helps run her father's fabulous large country house hotel. He's a larger than life character with an unfortunate fondness for karaoke. 

All the characters leap off the pages of this book. They each have their own quirks and are masterfully brought to life. And those lives interweave like a twisty turny thing. 

As the story unfolds, there's plenty of farce and action - all with a delightful British wit. 

What should be a quaint village is turned into a hotbed of scandal. Love it! 

I don't think the author specifies, but the time this book is set in is the late 1990s, I think. And it was a lovely trip down memory lane at times (this was my era!). It was fascinating to see how opinions and behaviours have changed over the not-so-many-thank-you-very-much-years. 

If you like chick lit you'll want to read this one. 

Always in love and light,

TL

PONDERINGS - A celebration, really

This weekend has been extraordinary!!

As a self-love warrior, I fully advocate celebrating one's achievements/successes. Let's face it, if you don't nobody else will! 

So, first...

Hubby and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. 

Time truly does fly when you're having fun. It feels like just yesterday we had our ceremony at Exbury Gardens. It was a truly magickal day. By The Wiggly Tree, in a wooded glade, in front of one of the most majestic trees you will ever see, surrounded by our friends and family, serenaded by a string trio and birds, the leaves rustling through the leaves... we were united as man and wife. 

The Steps aka Boy and Girl (Hubby's children) were bridesmaid and pageboy. They both cried actual happy tears during the day, as did Hubby and I. My maid-of-honour's husband had to take a time out after the ceremony just to process and absorb the blessing. It was deeply moving. 

We were so blessed that day. To the extent there was even a double rainbow after a passing light shower (when we were under awnings, enjoying our bring-a-plate-picnic wedding breakfast). 🌈

And yet, it feels as if we have always been together. Our souls seemingly have known each other for aeons. I am grateful each and every day for being united with this quiet, unassuming man who is so supportive. He remains in the background - I write under a pseudonym, so his face doesn't get shown. But he's always there. 

OK, I'm getting super slushy. Well, I'm a romance author and it's a special occasion. But I will spare your blushes. Next!! 

Bestseller

Regency Love - Reflections of a Young Lady, has been celebrating its bookversary with a 99c/99p sale (if you're quick, you can still grab it). 

BookBub were kind enough to include this book in a Featured Deal, and with their help, Regency Love got not one, but THREE orange Amazon 'bestseller' banners! 😲 Yes, across multiple categories, this humble book got to the number one spot in the UK, Canada and Australia. Wowsers!!! 

At one point, there was my book, Georgette Heyer and then Jane Austen in a happy podium-esque line-up. Reviewers have compared me to these two amazing authors 😳 and the first and last scenes were written at Jane Austen House Museum. So, to sit alongside them was just the biggest honour ever 💓

Guest Blog

And, just because that wasn't quite enough 😵 Elephant Journal have now included my guest blog on their site (about bees). It, of course, ties into my latest book, Love Gaia - The Diary Directive. But is a topic close to my heart. I truly believe we need to do more to protect our stripey friends. 

By the way, I am hoping to start writing more guest blogs going forwards. I've started a 'Guest Blogs' page on this blog, so I can list them - do feel free to check in every so often. And it really helps if you can visit those blogs and give them some love, please 💖.

Suffice it to say, it's been phenomenal! (feel free to add a 'do doo doodo do', Muppet style) 😙

I'm still processing, tbh. I'm not used to such wonders. But maybe I should get used to it? 

I really hope this is the start of continued success. 

I mean, I've been patient enough, right? 7 years, 10 books. Could this be 'my time'? Stay tuned to find out! 

I'm going to end on a big THANK YOU! 😘

All these celebrations have not been for me alone. It's been for everyone involved and shared by my tribe. 

So many words of support and congratulations have flooded in, and it means the world to me to know I'm not alone in this crazy journey. Thank you for your kind words, purchases, reviews, shares etc. 

Truly - THANK YOU. Virtual champagne for everyone!!!

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - Baking Bad - The cosiest of cosies

Date read: 16th August 2020

My rating: 5*

Genre I reckon: Cosy Mystery 

Buy link: Amazon 

A cosy mystery with WI and dragons? One-click buy!! 

My hopes were high and I was delighted by what I read. 

More tea, vicar? He may regret that! 

When the quiet 'new' vicar meets his demise, all fingers point towards the Women's Institute (WI). Well, their chair, Alice, isn't about to take that lying down, thank you very much. 

Miriam and her cohorts, Beaufort and Mortimer, who just so happen to be Cloverly dragons, get roped in. Beaufort is eager to clear the name of his friends. The other two are more reluctant to interfere. 

Enter in a whole heap of whimsical British country life (set not far from Leeds in fictional Toot Hansell). 

Chaos rules throughout, but what else would you expect with boisterous dogs and dragons running amuck? 

There is plenty of cake and gallons of tea, of course. 

I just love this story. It's fun, well-written, farce, and just what this reader needed to lift her spirits. 

There are a few recipes in the back of the book too - bonus! 

If you like cosy mysteries, you'll love this. 

Look - Pusskin did a book pose!!!

Always in love and light,

TL

Medieval Woman - it's a hard-knock life for her

 

Date read: 16th August 2020

My rating: 4*

Genre I reckon: Historical Fact/Fiction 

Buy link: Amazon 

*This is a fictional account of a medieval woman* 

I just wanted to make that distinction to start with. It's not non-fiction, and yet it's not a novel either as it doesn't follow the 'beginning, middle and end' structure and has no inciting incident etc. It's more of a fictional journal. A year in the life of Marion, wife to the village carpenter. 

And it's a hard life! We're never told which year, but it's early Middle Ages by my reckoning. 

The villagers all pull together to sustain their livelihood under the feudal system. Money doesn't change hands, but produce does. This village mainly trades in wool and there's a wonderful festival to celebrate sheep shearing day! 

There's a few too many bodily fluids mentioned for my taste. And I'm pretty sure that, given there's a shallow part of stream, the women would have had a wash day and wouldn't have been quite so rank. 

But it's definitely very well researched. You really get a look into the daily grind of these people's lives; more down than ups. Every day is a constant struggle and death is ever waiting. 

The lord of the manor is a bit feckless, but he has a sensible wife who knows what's what. And the village keeps ticking on, overseen by a severe Rollo with his counting sticks. 

It's a lesson in taking pleasure from the simple things in life and realising just how lucky we are with our modern day luxuries. An intriguing read for history buffs. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - The Queen's Lady - An Extraordinary Woman!

Date read: 26th July 2020

My rating: 5*

Genre I reckon: Historical Fact/Fiction - Romance

Buy link: Amazon

Wow! This is incredible!! 

Real life is skilfully blended with fiction. 

Sir Thomas More, King Henry VIII, Queen Catherine - all real.

Mistress Larke weaves between them all yet is fictional. 

The full list of fictional vs real characters is handily included at the back of the book.

I love that this story doesn't centre around the king himself; he's there more as a backdrop although we do get pulled into his machinations. 

Honor Larke is the main character. She has a turbulent life, and always strives to do what is right. The trouble is, in such dark times it's hard to know what right truly is. 

Some of the situations, well, it's a fictional novel - there's plenty of action. It's feasible. And kept me awake more than one night as I had to keep turning the pages. 

Plenty of swoon-worthy moments too. No spoilers, but the guy...! Oh my! 

Religion is questioned heavily. We have Catholics, which we know had a rough time in this era. And the heretics are running rampant. Theologians help us explore the options. 

This book is written so it's easily understandable by the modern reader. But the depth of description makes you feel as if you're in Tudor England - sights and smells all included without being overly bogged down by these details. Beautifully done! 

The amount of research that's gone into this is both staggering and evident. 

Mystery, intrigue, plots...everything you'd expect from a Tudor book.

A captivating historical romance.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - Lady of the Ravens - Fly into history

Date read: 4th July 2020

My rating: 3.5*

Genre I reckon: Historical Fact/Fiction

Buy link: Amazon

Now, I only review books I'd recommend to a friend on here. Yet this only scores a 3.5*. Yes, but I still recommend it to those of you who enjoy historical fiction. Let me explain... 

This book looks at the very start of the Tudor dynasty - fascinating! It drew me in like a fish on a hook. 

I'm so bored of all Tudor history looking at Henry VIII or Elizabeth I. How the royal house started is intriguing yet neglected. Enter Henry VII.

The Lady of the Ravens is clearly very well researched, and I praise that. Lady Vaux was indeed a real person in the queen's household. And she did marry Lord Guildford. 

But herein lies my issue - it then reads more like a historical account rather than a novel. 

I got a very good sense of events, clothing and place, but never really felt like I was there. And I didn't feel acquainted with the characters as much I'd like to be. There was a lack of dialogue and emotion. 

Now, for me, that's an issue, but it may not be for others; I appreciate that.

The enmity with Henry Wyatt was well set up, but it never really seemed to go anywhere. There were a couple of things, but it never really reached a satisfying conclusion. But perhaps that was truly the way it was?

I enjoyed the 'imposter' parts very much. We will never truly know what happened to those poor Princes in The Tower, but it's always interesting to ponder over. 

The start was brilliant, and Joan's interactions with the weavers was wonderful - a glimpse into how court gossip was spread. I could see and smell old London (pooey!) in that part of the story, which was fab. 

And the link to the stability with the kingdom was reflected well in the comings and goings of the ravens. Although, sadly, it's thought that Charles II (much later) was the first king to proclaim the beautiful birds protected. 

On the whole, this was an enjoyable look into courtly life as the Tudors struggled to get a foothold. 

 

Always in love and light,

TL