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Welcome to another edition of the Self-Publishing Roundtable! The weekly interview show that brings you the biggest names in indie publishing, to help you sell more books.
This week we have Kevin Michael.
I first met Kevin several months ago, when he showed up in our comments. He started to come to various hangouts that I ran, and we got to talking. I shared a lot of the same ideas & thoughts on self-publishing as Kevin, and we soon became friends.
I was most impressed by his knowledge & use of keywords and categories to ensure his books (and other peoples books) had the best visibility they could. He understand keeping this updating and fresh gave him access to new lists and readers, always keeping his titles in the forefront.
He has posted in the post on Kboards with some of his findings. Most recently, doing a series of blog posts here for us. | Why Isn’t Your Book Selling? | Top 5 Things You Can Do To Sell More Books | Top Categories To Chart In On 7 Sales A Day Or Less |
They have proven popular and we hope to continue with that on the blog. As well as some other exciting content coming there soon.
You can see more of Kevin on his Twitter or Facebook pages – Remarkable Reads.
Kevin will talk to us about the importance of categories and keywords. He is also going to run a workshop on seven authors titles. A few days ago we asked on G+ for people to provide links to their books to take part. He will run through his findings and suggestions.
We think it will be an interesting and interactive show. We hope to see you there.
As always we would appreciate your reviews on iTunes & subscriptions on YouTube.
Thanks for watching!
Looking for another way to promote your ebook?
Genre-specific multi-author cross promo advertising
for free and 99c ebooks
Here’s a link to Simon Canton’s book. If Kevin could take a look that would be great.
http://www.amazon.com/Bite-End-Line-Bytarend-ebook/dp/B00D9SRT9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395743060&sr=8-1&keywords=simon+cantan
Looking forward to this! I guess I have to learn how to see things on G+, because I missed THAT window of opportunity!
Just because I know this link is going to get brought up during the show, here’s the list of Amazon browse categories: https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A200PDGPEIQX41
RolandDenzel The intention had been for me to post the requests here, on the page. John was too efficient and posted it to his G+ before I had the chance to put up the post, or discuss it with them. The response was fast and furious and quickly became before than we could cover in the show.
If it proves popular, I’m sure we will do something similar again with Kevin.
Can’t wait to hear what Kevin’s got to say about this. It’s a murky area for me.
Roll out the red carpet. Kahler has arrived.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg Welcome all, TO THE JUNGLE!
Hey everyone. Looking forward to the episode 🙂
RemarkableReads You da man, Kevin.
Carl Sinclair RolandDenzel Carl, I wasn’t complaining or blaming (other than myself). I just don’ t get Google+. When I go there, I just don’ t get it, but I must learn it. I guess?
Carl Sinclair RolandDenzel I also don’t get the hangout invites. They don’t take you to anything useful, although this one at least took me an empty G+ window where I can talk to myself.
Darren Wearmouth I was actually looking at your book earlier. You should be able to get more categories.
RemarkableReads Darren Wearmouth Spill the beans 🙂
Darren Wearmouth RemarkableReads I’ll tell you.
Refresh now. Video is in.
Carl Sinclair I need not such things. I’m just going to watch on YT and comment here.
xgranville RemarkableReads Don’t spread lies about me.
@RemarkableReads @xgranville I knew it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart.
RemarkableReads Darren Wearmouth Sweet.
Technical problems?
Let’s do this… Leeeeeeeeroyyyyyy Jenkins!
Carl Sinclair … at least I got chicken.
Carl Sinclair Fantastic reference.
Eric Guindon http://www.sportable.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/technical-difficulties1.jpg
We are going to workshop several books. But. if you have any questions of your own, feel free to post them. We’ll try get to them with Kevin.
As always
Sinclair…
The messiah 🙂
JayChastain Chastain…
Carl Sinclair JayChastain HOW DID YOU TYPE THAT WHILE TALKING?
JayChastain Carl Sinclair Because I’m amazing.
Can you talk about why categories are important? Do a lot of people look for books in categories?
Charge $299 dollars and say you’ve asked 0.1% of the market. Nobody has tried that before…
Carl Sinclair JayChastain Australians ….
JayChastain Carl Sinclair Mericans’
JayChastain Carl Sinclair They’re convicts Jay 🙁
Carl Sinclair JayChastain GUNS AND BEER!
Darren Wearmouth JayChastain Carl Sinclair Wankers
This is what the show would be like if they recorded the after parties. Minus the copious amounts of alcohol. Maybe?
JayChastain Darren Wearmouth Carl Sinclair Got a beer Jay?
nicholaskahler totally.
Darren Wearmouth JayChastain Carl Sinclair Actually… no. Not tonight LOL I’m ashamed of myself.
Question for Kevin: Why do categories seem to vary on the different amazon stores? I ask because one of my books has weird categories in the .ca, which are different from the .com.
JayChastain Darren Wearmouth Carl Sinclair I’m necking a 660ml bottle of mexican beer mixed with tequila called ‘Amigos’.
Darren Wearmouth JayChastain Carl Sinclair I want this now.
How do I get into the category: BAD ASS MOTHER FUCKER ?
JayChastain By asking your mom
JayChastain Change your name to John Ward.
JayChastain By not give a fuck?
Darren Wearmouth JayChastain Carl Sinclair I’m jealous…
JayChastain Darren Wearmouth Carl Sinclair It’s going down faster than an Argie jet in the Falklands.
A guest that actually checks the comments. It’s a brand new day, people. Bask in the glory of Kevin’s power.
Does Kevin think there’s a chance of the market being swamped if all books end up in six categories? Or does the number of sub categories negate the effect?
nicholaskahler Are you feeling neglected?
It’s also a nice marketing tagline if you can say you’re #1 on Amazon in a particular category… even if you’re one of a few hundred books.
Darren Wearmouth JayChastain Carl Sinclair I don’t know that reference. Could you elaborate?
createspace and kindle have different categories. wtf?
I thought a certain Black Hole of Anger and Hate was supposed to make an appearance.
Darren Wearmouth JayChastain Carl Sinclair LOL
xgranville I took his place
Eric Guindon Yeah, likewise.
JayChastain Darren Wearmouth Carl Sinclair Never heard of the Falklands War? Argentina invaded a British South Atlantic Island. We tipped up and taught them a lesson in manners.
xgranville He couldn’t get his anger up today.
That’s happened with me
Here’s the cats for the book on .com:
http://www.amazon.com/books-used-books-textbooks/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=283155 > http://www.amazon.com/Literature-Fiction-Books/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=17 > http://www.amazon.com/Comic-Literature-Fiction-Books/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=4465http://www.amazon.com/books-used-books-textbooks/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=283155 > http://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-Fantasy-Books/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=25 > http://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-Science-Fiction-Books/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=16190 > http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=383988011http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Store/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=133140011 > http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=154606011 > http://www.amazon.com/Fiction-eBooks-Kindle/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=157028011 > http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=157051011 > http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=7588840011http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Store/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=133140011 > http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=154606011 > http://www.amazon.com/Fiction-eBooks-Kindle/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=157028011 > http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=157051011 > http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=7588841011http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Store/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=133140011 > http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=154606011 > http://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-eBooks-Kindle/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=668010011 > http://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-eBooks/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=158576011 > http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=6157853011
Here are the cats on .ca:http://www.amazon.ca/books-used-books-textbooks/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=916520 > http://www.amazon.ca/Literature-Fiction-Books/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=927790 > http://www.amazon.ca/Womens-Fiction-Literature-Books/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=933210 > http://www.amazon.ca/Single-Women-Womens-Fiction-Books/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=933222http://www.amazon.ca/ca-digital-text/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=2972705011 > http://www.amazon.ca/ebooks-kindle/b/ref=dp_brlad_entry?ie=UTF8&node=2980423011
Weird…
I find that Amazon.ca has very few of the “niche” categories that would be very lucrative for indie authors getting their books out. Even though in Canada I don’t have as many category rankings, I always use the Amazon.COM category lists that Kevin posted, because any help in visibility is obviously the right move no matter what.
I just want to say, I’m proud of the audience maturity level this episode. I’m pretty sure there have been at least three glaring opportunities for off color jokes that no one has capitalized on.
I search page after page while bored at work. LOL
jlward xgranville What a visual.
JayChastain xgranville Use the power wisely.
xgranville I always aim for the US categories and settings. I was just really puzzled that my paranormal, urban fantasy, darkish comedy was categorized as Women’s Fiction in the .ca store 😛
https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A200PDGPEIQX41
Here it is.
Does Kevin keep his pen name confidential? And if so, why?
It brought me to midget porn…
Who would have thought…if you keep typing, they won’t stop you lol.
No non-fiction sub-categories… 🙁
Man. My comments messed up. I was saying some clever shit guys. You don’t even know.
Simon Cantan “The Bite On The End Of The Line”http://www.amazon.com/Bite-End-Line-Bytarend-ebook/dp/B00D9SRT9U/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795032&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Bite+On+The+End+Of+The+Line
suggested categories: fiction/fantasy/paranormal, fiction/action and adventurekeywords: sword, coming of age, fantasy, epic, historical, myth, humor
Melissa Lummis “Enlightened”http://www.amazon.com/Enlightened-Light-Series-Melissa-Lummis-ebook/dp/B009XZHSP8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795240&sr=8-1&keywords=Melissa+Lummis
categories: fiction/fantasy/paranormal, fiction/romance/paranormalkeywords: psychics, vampire, witch, metaphysical, gothic, paranormal, fantasy
JayChastain Yeah. The comments do seem slow to update… or something.
Eric Guindon “Confessions Of A Monster Hunter”http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Monster-Hunter-Veil-Innocence-ebook/dp/B00H9138BQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795196&sr=8-8&keywords=eric+guindon
categories: fiction/suspense, fiction/horrorkeywords: paranormal, psychological, occult, suspense, comedy, horror, dark fantasy
Who broke the internet?
This episode is full of epic advice that you can instantly put into practice. Well done Kevin and the Roundtable crew.
Garrett Robinson & ZC Bolger “Midrealm”http://www.amazon.com/Midrealm-YA-Fantasy-Realm-Keepers-ebook/dp/B00FDO1O8K/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795475&sr=8-1&keywords=midrealm
categories: children’s fiction/sci fi and fantasy, fiction/fantasy/anthologies and short storieskeywords: young adult fantasy, teen, coming of age, magic, adventure, sword, arthurian
Nice. Thanks, Kevin! 🙂
writerwade That’d be Canada.
I love Garrett’s dinosaur erotica
Carl Sinclair Love that new cover.
JayChastain I think we know.
LM Stull “A Thirty-Something Girl”http://www.amazon.com/A-Thirty-Something-Girl-L-M-Stull-ebook/dp/B006LW1GHM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795283&sr=8-4&keywords=lm+stull
categories: fiction/contemporary women, fiction/literary fictionkeywords: women’s fiction, romance, literary, psychological, saga, contemporary, humor
Carl Sinclair RemarkableReadsImplementing suggestions now!
writerwade Me, sorry.
Jay Chastain “Too Dark To See”http://www.amazon.com/Too-Dark-See-Jay-Chastain-ebook/dp/B00GAFCJR6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795349&sr=8-2&keywords=too+dark+to+see
categories: fiction/horror, fiction/suspensekeywords: horror, dark fantasy, united states, occult, paranormal, psychological, suspense
Bill Dowis “Jack And Jill”http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Jill-Bill-Dowis-ebook/dp/B00BJDJYCW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795296&sr=8-1&keywords=bill+dowis
categories: fiction/fantasy/short stories and collections, fiction/suspensekeywords: teen, psychological, paranormal, fairy tales, myth, occult, suspense
Eric Guindon JayChastain they aren’t refreshing, even with a ‘refresh’
Eric Guindon JayChastain It seems to be okay now.
Carl Sinclair RemarkableReadsNow do the rest of my books 😛
Here is the blog post that Kevin mentioned in the show: http://selfpublishingroundtable.com/top-amazing-fiction-categories-to-chart-in-on-7-sales-a-day-or-less/
Niche, like quiche, not witch.
Where is the article he wrote?
Eric Guindon xgranville Yeah, I remember being charted in the ‘Christian’ category on Kobo once for my flash fiction story. Not a religious story in the slightest, and I didn’t pick that category haha.
xgranville Carl SinclairI’ve been very happy with the work I’ve been getting done by Cormar Covers. http://cormarcovers.wix.com/cormarcovers — quite reasonable prices too.
JayChastain Once Dinosaur Noir is out, I expect the smut version in my email within the week.
Darren Wearmouth writerwade The real question is….Who Let The Dogs Out?
Go to the homepage and click on the blog.
RolandDenzel On the SPRT blog on this site.
RolandDenzel Also all three are linked in this post.
RolandDenzelhttp://selfpublishingroundtable.com/top-amazing-fiction-categories-to-chart-in-on-7-sales-a-day-or-less/
G2G guys. I’ll see all you cats later!
Damn, I almost missed the whole show :/
never mind… it pays to read the post above!
thanks, people!
Thanks a lot to Kevin for doing this!
Hedgehoggleheads?
After-Party Invites Here:
There are so many non-fiction subcategories, but there’s no way to get in them on purpose?
Boom! I heard that, Kevin. Dinosaur Noir has gotten the Kevin nod of approval.
Carl Sinclair I’d be up for some after-partying.
I’m in on the after party for a few minutes!
Carl Sinclair boom. right here.
Nobody wants in?
Eric Guindon no problem. hopefully it helps you.
Carl Sinclair yes, please
Carl Sinclair The Great White Hope is willing to grace ye all with his presence.
Invites coming from John’s account.
The audio mp3 & iTunes options are now up.
Darren Wearmouth JayChastain Carl Sinclair It was the equivalent of a giant fighting a midget. The English parked their ships out of the range of the Ariges. Then shelled the shit out of them. War over.
Here’s the category and keywords recommendations I made for the 7 books in transcript form:
Simon Cantan “The Bite On The End Of The Line”http://www.amazon.com/Bite-End-Line-Bytarend-ebook/dp/B00D9SRT9U/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795032&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Bite+On+The+End+Of+The+Line
suggested categories: fiction/fantasy/paranormal, fiction/action and adventurekeywords: sword, coming of age, fantasy, epic, historical, myth, humor
Melissa Lummis “Enlightened”http://www.amazon.com/Enlightened-Light-Series-Melissa-Lummis-ebook/dp/B009XZHSP8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795240&sr=8-1&keywords=Melissa+Lummis
categories: fiction/fantasy/paranormal, fiction/romance/paranormalkeywords: psychics, vampire, witch, metaphysical, gothic, paranormal, fantasy
Eric Guindon “Confessions Of A Monster Hunter”http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Monster-Hunter-Veil-Innocence-ebook/dp/B00H9138BQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795196&sr=8-8&keywords=eric+guindon
categories: fiction/suspense, fiction/horrorkeywords: paranormal, psychological, occult, suspense, comedy, horror, dark fantasy
Garrett Robinson & ZC Bolger “Midrealm”http://www.amazon.com/Midrealm-YA-Fantasy-Realm-Keepers-ebook/dp/B00FDO1O8K/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795475&sr=8-1&keywords=midrealm
categories: children’s fiction/sci fi and fantasy, fiction/fantasy/anthologies and short storieskeywords: young adult fantasy, teen, coming of age, magic, adventure, sword, arthurian
LM Stull “A Thirty-Something Girl”http://www.amazon.com/A-Thirty-Something-Girl-L-M-Stull-ebook/dp/B006LW1GHM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795283&sr=8-4&keywords=lm+stull
categories: fiction/contemporary women, fiction/literary fictionkeywords: women’s fiction, romance, literary, psychological, saga, contemporary, humor
Jay Chastain “Too Dark To See”http://www.amazon.com/Too-Dark-See-Jay-Chastain-ebook/dp/B00GAFCJR6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795349&sr=8-2&keywords=too+dark+to+see
categories: fiction/horror, fiction/suspensekeywords: horror, dark fantasy, united states, occult, paranormal, psychological, suspense
Bill Dowis “Jack And Jill”http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Jill-Bill-Dowis-ebook/dp/B00BJDJYCW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395795296&sr=8-1&keywords=bill+dowis
categories: fiction/fantasy/short stories and collections, fiction/suspensekeywords: teen, psychological, paranormal, fairy tales, myth, occult, suspense
RemarkableReads One more thank you for all the hard work. Now that I’ve looked into this for my own stuff, I can see how much work you put into the analysis of the SEVEN books. Thanks for taking the time!
Here’s another blog post on Keywords and Categories: http://selfpublishingroundtable.com/amazon-keywords-and-categories-explained/