Lit World Interviews

What inspired you to create a workbook version of The Amazon Author Formula?

I’ve worked or consulted with thousands of authors over the years, and I know that learning is one thing — applying it is another. The workbook was born out of a desire to bridge that gap. It’s designed to guide authors through hands-on exercises — refining keywords, polishing descriptions, rethinking pricing — with space to brainstorm, track, and implement.

What’s one of the biggest mistakes authors make on Amazon?

They ignore their retail page. Authors focus on ads or social media without realizing that every campaign leads back to that Amazon page. If it’s not converting — if your keywords are off, your description is vague, your book cover is lackluster, or your categories are wrong — no amount of traffic will help. That’s why so much of the workbook focuses on refining that page.

Can the workbook help if my book has already been published?

Absolutely. In fact, most of the authors using the workbook already have books out. The beauty of Amazon’s system is that it’s fluid — you can update keywords, adjust pricing, optimize your book description, and test new ads. The workbook helps you evaluate what’s working and make strategic changes that keep your book competitive.

How is this workbook different from just hiring someone to do it for you?

Hiring an expert can be helpful — and I work with plenty of authors one-on-one — but not everyone has the budget for that. The workbook gives you the framework we use with our clients, but puts the power back in your hands. It’s built for authors who want to learn the process and make smarter, more confident marketing decisions going forward.

What part of the workbook do most authors find the most surprising or eye-opening?

The keyword research section! A lot of authors think they know what readers are typing into Amazon — but when they go through the keyword planner in the workbook and start researching real shopper behavior, it’s a total mindset shift. Most authors realize they’ve been using keywords that are too vague, too competitive, or simply not aligned with how readers actually shop.