Keywords used to search for a book

[Renee E]

Try starting with a list of more specific words, exactly (or as close as you can get) to what you want. Then you can, if you don't get the results you want, pare out some of the words.

If you have to take it down to the point where you get a bazillion hits again, add back some new descriptive words, one or two at a time.

It's not an exact science, since, when you choose keywords for your book, there are a lot of words out there to pick ;-)

[Renee E]

Okay.

"Mystery" or whatever the general type is a good, broad start. Then start thinking about what kind of mystery.

If you want one with a strong female protagonist, try adding "heroine." Add some descriptive words for the setting, time, place, etc. "London," "Victorian."

The main plot? "Murder," "kidnap," "blackmail."

See where I'm going?

[Renee E]

You're welcome! Good luck with your searches.

Sometimes the coolest thing that comes of those searches is what you find that you WEREN'T looking for!

May your google-fu become strong like the seeking wind. :D

[Amber]

It would depend where you're searching. Different e-book retailers categorize books somewhat differently. Kobo occasionally uses some odd labels on books that don't really fit into the categories they put them under, in addition to correct categories.
A lot of books don't fit genre labels and yet marketing requires a genre label. Renee's search term suggestions should help you get past that block. Happy reading.

[Belle]

For mine I put:

historical fiction
civil war
Nashville
mystery
antebellum law
antebellum medicine
romance

[Nihar]

I agree with what everyone else here said! Mystery is a bit broad, but you really have to narrow down what type of mystery your book is. For example, is it a kidnapping? Is it a robbery? Use more narrow keywords, and maybe even use some of your character names to optimize the search for your book.

-Nihar
www.niharsuthar.com