Setting Up Book Metadata

What is Metadata?

Metadata is the information about your book that helps readers find it. This includes your title, author name, description, and other details that appear in bookstore listings.

Required Fields

Title

Your book's main title - this is what readers see first.

• Be clear and memorable
• Match the title on your cover exactly
• Use title case (capitalize major words)
• Don't include "Book 1" or series info here (use subtitle instead)

Author Name

The name that will appear on your book.

• Can be your real name or a pen name
• Be consistent across all your books
• Format: "First Last" or "First Middle Last"
• Avoid titles like "Dr." or "PhD" unless part of your brand

Description

Your book's blurb - this is your sales pitch to readers.

Using the Description Formatting Toolbar

The Basic Info tab includes a rich text editor with formatting options:

• Bold (B) - Emphasize key phrases
• Italic (I) - Book titles, emphasis
• Lists - Bullet points for features or benefits
• Quotes - Pull quotes from reviews
• Links - Author website or series page

Optional Fields

Subtitle

Additional context for your title.

• Series information: "Book 1 of The Epic Trilogy"
• Genre clarification: "A Cozy Mystery"
• Hook or tagline: "Love, Loss, and Second Chances"
• Leave blank if not needed

ISBN

International Standard Book Number (optional for ebook distribution).

• Not required - Shelf Indulgence can distribute without one
• If you have one, enter the 13-digit ISBN
• Different ISBNs for ebook vs print vs audiobook
• Some retailers (like Apple) prefer ISBNs

Language

Select your book's primary language from the dropdown.

• Choose the language the book is written in
• This affects which stores and regions see your book
• Most common: English, Spanish, French, German

Contributors

Add additional people involved in your book.

• Editor - Content or copy editor
• Illustrator - Cover artist or interior illustrations
• Translator - If adapted from another language
• Narrator - For audiobooks
• Click "Add Contributor" to add multiple people with their roles

Categories & Keywords (Classification Tab)

After Basic Info, you'll set categories and keywords in the Classification tab.

BISAC Categories

Select 1-3 categories that best describe your book:

• Be specific: "Mystery > Cozy" not just "Fiction"
• Choose categories where you can compete
• Check Amazon/Kobo bestseller lists in your genre
• Don't choose categories that don't fit

Keywords

Add 5-7 keywords readers might search for:

• Think like a reader searching for books
• Include genre-specific terms
• Add tropes or themes: "enemies to lovers", "time travel"
• Avoid generic words like "book" or "novel"
• Don't keyword stuff or use irrelevant terms

Metadata Best Practices

Writing Compelling Descriptions

1. Start with a hook - Grab attention in the first sentence
2. Introduce conflict - What problem does your protagonist face?
3. Raise stakes - What happens if they fail?
4. Show voice - Let your writing style shine through
5. End with intrigue - Make readers want to know more

Description Formula

Common Metadata Mistakes

Title Mistakes

• ❌ ALL CAPS titles
• ❌ Random capitalization
• ❌ Excessive punctuation!!!!!
• ❌ Not matching the cover

Description Mistakes

• ❌ Starting with "This book is about..."
• ❌ Too much backstory
• ❌ Spoiling major plot points
• ❌ Generic, vague language
• ❌ Poor grammar or typos

Category Mistakes

• ❌ Choosing irrelevant categories for visibility
• ❌ Being too broad ("Fiction")
• ❌ Using all 3 slots for variations of same category

Updating Metadata

You can update your metadata anytime after publication:

• Go to My Shelf and click on your book
• Edit the Basic Info or Classification tabs
• Click "Save" or "Update"
• Changes propagate to stores in 24-48 hours

Learn more about updating published books →