Bubby Is Non-Fiction. Wait... What?! (or, How To Change Your Category)

Yes, all of the Bubby books are temporarily listed as Non-Fiction. Why? Well, I'm about to explain - then show all of the other Indie authors how to do it too.

When you're creating your Kindle title in Amazon KDP, you are able to select two categories from your book out of a listing of BISAC subject headings. The sad thing is, these subject headings are not the same as the categories offered on Amazon.

So, why do I care? Well, the more specific you can make your categories, the better change people who want to read your book can find it. Also, the more specific, the better chance of making a Top 100 list.

As an example, all of the Bubby books were listed in the following two categories. In parentheses I have listed the number of titles in each category:

Kindle e-books (1,465,564)
Children's eBooks (71,508)
Action & Adventure (9,974)

Kindle e-books (1,465,564)
Humor (31,198)

Going up against 9,974 and 31,198 titles makes it a challenge to be found and get into any Top 100 lists. However, by requesting more specific sub-categories, all of the books should be given a better chance. First I'll cover the sub-categories I wanted, then I'll get around to how to make the changes.

Kindle e-books (1,465,564)
Children's eBooks (71,508)
Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror (12,572)
Superheroes (133)

Kindle e-books (1,465,564)
Humor (31,198)
Comedy (639)

Under "Superheroes" and "Comedy" sub-categories Bubby stands a better chance of getting seen by customers.

So, how do you get your categories changed? Below are the directions given to me by KDP Support:

1. Visit https://kdp.amazon.com and log in.
2. Check the box at the left side of the book and then click on the "Actions" button at the top left, then click "Edit book details."
3. Scroll down to the "Target Your Book to Customers" section and click "Add categories."
4. Choose the categories on the right side of the screen, then click "Remove category."
5. Scroll down the category list on the left side of the screen, and choose the last category - "NON-CLASSIFIABLE."
6. Click on "Save."
7. Scroll down the page and click "Save and Continue."
8. You'll then be directed to the "Rights & Pricing" section. Check the box at the bottom of the screen to accept the Terms & Conditions, then click "Save and Publish."

After you have done this, send them an e-mail (or just contact them through support in your KDP account) with the exact path of the categories you wish to add (as shown in the example below), and they will add the categories for your title.

Example: Kindle Store > Kindle Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Mysticism

Make sure the categories you request are already available in the Kindle Store - those are the only ones they will do for you.

So, with any luck, at some point later today (since I e-mailed them yesterday afternoon), all of the Bubby books should have more specific categories.

In the meantime, I've learned that marking your book as "NON-CLASSIFIABLE" apparently makes your title Non-Fiction in the Kindle store. Oh well.