Managing Metadata: An Unglamorous But Critical Publishing Task

Author and indie publishers, let’s talk about something that doesn’t usually get the spotlight—but probably should based on the critical role it plays in books getting seen: metadata (title, BISAC codes, keywords, comps, tagline, audience info, etc.). It’s not glamorous, but if you want your books to be discovered, robust metadata is very important.

For a while, we had metadata all over the place—emails, random documents, scribbled notes, and then a separate worksheet I’d send to designers. This setup works okay if you have just one book. But the minute you start to scale—whether it’s building a series, planning a release schedule, or even just thinking long-term marketing—it gets too messy.

I also used to wait until pretty late in the process to pull all the pieces together. But the more books we create, the more I realize: if you want to position your book well, you need to start thinking about metadata very early. Many months ahead of launch, ideally. It shapes everything from how readers find the book to how stores and reviewers perceive the book.

To help us get organized, I created a Google Sheet that is super simple but feels like a game-changer. Each book gets its own tab. I use it as a living document that combines metadata with core marketing notes. It’s a little bit strategy, a little bit structure—and it helps me see the whole picture early on.

What’s great is that filling this out early lets me spot gaps—like missing comps, unclear messaging, or an undefined audience. It also helps me write better copy later: back cover blurbs, Amazon listings, pitch emails, etc. Everything starts to connect when it’s all in one place.

If metadata organization is a pain point for you as well, create something manageable or download my template here. It’s not fancy, but it works.

Getting organized early saves you time, stress, and confusion later on. And if you’re publishing multiple books, it’s a small change with a big impact.