Are you familiar with the Amazon categories for sapphic fiction? Putting your book into the right categories and subcategories can make all the difference when it comes to visibility and the right readers finding your books.
When you upload your ebook to Amazon, you can choose two categories. You can also have Amazon add your book to up to eight additional categories by contacting Amazon via the “contact us” button in your KDP account.
Caveat: Since September 2022, each book can rank in the top 100 in only three categories. If you have Amazon add your book to 10 categories and it manages to make it into the top 100 of five of them, Amazon picks three categories where it will show up in the top 100, and it might not be the three categories you would choose. So my advice is to only have KDP add your book to a couple of additional categories and to make sure they are a good fit for your book.
Amazon will only add your book to additional categories if you send them the full category path. To make that a little easier, I thought I would list the path for the most common categories for sapphic books and also give you an idea what kind of books each LGBTQ+ category usually contains.
Lesbian fiction
- There is no Amazon category for sapphic fiction. Most sapphic fiction authors pick “lesbian fiction” as one of their categories, no matter what genre they write or what the sexual orientations of their main characters are.
- Lesbian fiction is a subcategory of Amazon’s LGBTQ+ fiction category. About 200 new English-language ebooks are added to this subcategory every month.
- Currently, 24% of the bestsellers in the LGBTQ+ fiction category are sapphic books. The rest is mostly gay or M/M fiction.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the lesbian fiction top 100 is currently around #30,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Genre Fiction » LGBTQ+ Fiction » Lesbian Fiction
Lesbian romance
- Lesbian romance is a subcategory of LGBTQ+ romance.
- With about 98,000 ebook titles, LGBTQ+ romances make up about 9% of the romance category, which is Amazon’s best-selling genre with more than 1 million English-language titles.
- LGBTQ+ romance breaks down into four subcategories: lesbian romance, gay romance, bisexual romance, and transgender romance.
- Currently, 13% of the LGBTQ+ romance top 100 are sapphic books. The rest is mostly gay or M/M romance.
- There are about 20,000 English-language ebooks in the lesbian romance subcategory right now, and about 180-190 new releases are added each month.
- Amazon uses “lesbian romance” as a catch-all category for all sapphic romances, even if the characters are bi- or pansexual. There is also a “bisexual romance” category, but if your book is a romance between two women, it makes sense to put it into the “lesbian romance” category, even if they don’t identify as lesbians. More on why below.
- Amazon has only one category for lesbian romance, whether it’s contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, fantasy romance, etc.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the lesbian romance top 100 is currently around #30,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » LGBTQ+ Romance » Lesbian Romance
Bisexual romance
- Bisexual romance is a subcategory of LGBTQ+ romance.
- There are about 15,000 English-language ebooks in the bisexual romance subcategory right now, and about 170-190 new releases are added each month.
- Currently, 56% of the bisexual romance top 100 are M/M romances with one or two bisexual male main characters; 35% are reverse harem/why choose/polyam relationship romances between one woman and several men; 2% are M/M/M polyam relationships between three (or more) men; 2% are queer M/F romances between a male and a female character with one or both of them being bisexual; 1% is an F/F romance between two bisexual women; 1% is an F/F/M romance between two women and one man.
- If you have written a romance between two bisexual women, it still makes sense to put it into the “lesbian romance” category since that’s where readers will look for it. The “bisexual romance” category isn’t where readers will search for sapphic romance. You can, of course, pick both categories.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the bisexual romance top 100 is currently around #10,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » LGBTQ+ Romance » Bisexual Romance
Transgender romance
- Transgender romance is a subcategory of LGBTQ+ romance.
- There are nearly 5,000 English-language ebooks in the transgender romance subcategory right now, and about 80 new releases are added each month.
- Currently, only 2% of the top 100 in the transgender romance category include characters who might be sapphic (F/NB romance or a romance featuring a trans woman). The majority of this category is either feminization erotica or romance novels featuring a trans man.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the transgender romance top 100 is currently around #160,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » LGBTQ+ Romance » Transgender Romance
Other romance categories
Of course, you can also add your romance novel to categories that aren’t specifically sapphic. Amazon offers several romance subcategories that contain some of the most common romance tropes and subgenres.
Here are the full category paths of romance subcategories that could be of interest:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Black & African American
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Contemporary Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Gothic Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Holiday Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Later in Life Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Medical Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Military Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Multicultural & Interracial Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » New Adult & College Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Rockstar Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Romantic Comedy
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Sports Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Westerns
Erotica
- LGBTQ+ erotica is a subcategory of erotica. It breaks down into lesbian erotica, gay erotica, bisexual erotica, and transgender erotica.
- Currently, 5% of the LGBTQ+ erotica top 100 are sapphic books.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the lesbian erotica top 100 is currently around #55,000.
- Full category path for lesbian erotica: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Erotica » LGBTQ+ Erotica » Lesbian Erotica
- Full category path for bisexual erotica: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Erotica » LGBTQ+ Erotica » Bisexual Erotica
Mystery
- LGBTQ+ mystery is a subcategory of the mystery category. It contains over 3,000 English-language titles, and about 30-35 new releases are added each month.
- All identities under the LGBTQ+ umbrella are lumped into the same category. There is no further sub-sub-subcategory for sapphic mysteries.
- Currently, 9% of the LGBTQ+ mystery top 100 are sapphic books.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the LGBTQ+ mystery top 100 is currently around #85,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » LGBTQ+ Mystery
You could also have your book added to the following non-sapphic mystery, thriller, and suspense categories:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Crime Fiction » Heist
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Crime Fiction » Kidnapping
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Crime Fiction » Murder
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » Cozy Mystery
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » Police Procedurals
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » Private Investigators
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » Women Sleuths
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Suspense
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Thrillers » Legal
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Thrillers » Psychological
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Mystery & Suspense Romance » Romantic Suspense
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Mystery & Suspense Romance » Mystery Romance
Young adult
- LGBTQ+ teen & young adult is a subcategory of teen & young adult ebooks.
- It breaks down into the sub-subcategories LGBTQ+ romance for teens & young adults, teen & young adult LGBTQ+ fiction, teen & young adult LGBTQ+ nonfiction, and teen & young adult LGBTQ+ comics & graphic novels.
- LGBTQ+ romance for teens & young adults contains almost 1,000 English-language titles, and about 10-20 new releases are added each month. The teen & young adult LGBTQ+ fiction contains 3,000 English-language titles, and about 40 new releases are added each month.
- All identities under the LGBTQ+ umbrella are lumped into the same category. There are no further sub-sub-subcategories for sapphic fiction specifically.
- Currently, 37% of the LGBTQ+ young adult top 100 are sapphic books.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the young adult LGBTQ+ romance top 100 is currently around #230,000 and #250,000 for young adult LGBTQ+ fiction.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Teen & Young Adult eBooks » Teens & Young Adult LGBTQ+ eBooks » Teen & Young Adult LGBTQ+ Fiction
- Full category path for YA romances: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Teen & Young Adult eBooks » Teens & Young Adult LGBTQ+ eBooks » LGBTQ+ Romance for Teens & Young Adults eBooks
You could also have your book added to the following non-sapphic YA categories:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Teen & Young Adult eBooks » Teen & Young Adult Literature & Fiction eBooks » Teen & Young Adult Coming of Age Fiction eBooks
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Teen & Young Adult eBooks » Teen & Young Adult Romance eBooks » Teen & Young Adult Romantic Comedy eBooks
Science fiction
- LGBTQ+ science fiction is a subcategory of the science fiction category. It contains over 5,000 English-language titles, and about 45-50 new releases are added each month.
- All identities under the LGBTQ+ umbrella are lumped into the same category. There is no further sub-sub-subcategory for sapphic science fiction.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the LGBTQ+ science fiction top 100 is currently around #159,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Science Fiction » LGBTQ+ Science Fiction
You could also have your book added to the following non-sapphic SF categories:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Science Fiction » First Contact Science Fiction eBooks
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Science Fiction » Space Exploration Science Fiction eBooks
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Science Fiction » Space Opera Science Fiction
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Science Fiction Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Time Travel Romance
Fantasy
- LGBTQ+ fantasy is a subcategory of the fantasy category. It contains over 10,000 English-language titles, and about 130-140 new releases are added each month.
- All identities under the LGBTQ+ umbrella are lumped into the same category. There is no further sub-sub-subcategory for sapphic fantasy.
- Currently, 18% of the LGBTQ+ fantasy top 100 are sapphic books.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the LGBTQ+ fantasy top 100 is currently around #35,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » LGBTQ+ Fantasy
You could also have your book added to the following non-sapphic fantasy categories:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Action & Adventure Fantasy
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Epic Fantasy
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Fairy Tale Fantasy
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Historical Fantasy
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Myth & Legend Fantasy eBooks
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Paranormal & Urban Fantasy
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Superhero Fantasy eBooks
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Romantic Fantasy
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Fantasy & Futuristic Romance
Paranormal fiction
There is no subcategory for LGBTQ+ paranormal fiction. I would advise to add your book to the “lesbian fiction” category, plus pick whatever categories fit among these non-sapphic categories:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Science Fiction & Fantasy » Fantasy » Paranormal & Urban Fantasy
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Paranormal Romance » Paranormal Vampire Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Paranormal Romance » Paranormal Werewolves & Shifters Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Paranormal Romance » Paranormal Witches & Wizards Romance
- Kindle eBooks > Romance > Paranormal > Ghosts
- Kindle eBooks > Romance > Paranormal > Angels
- Kindle eBooks > Romance > Paranormal > Demons & Devils
- Kindle eBooks > Romance > Paranormal > Psychics
Historical fiction
There is no subcategory for LGBTQ+ historical fiction. I would advise to add your book to the “lesbian fiction” category, plus pick whatever categories fit among these non-sapphic categories:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Historical Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Historical Romance » American Historical Romance
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Historical Fiction » Medieval
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Historical Fiction » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Historical Fiction » Regency
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Historical Fiction » World War I
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Historical Fiction » World War II
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Historical Fiction » U.S. Historical Fiction
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Women’s Fiction » Women’s Historical Fiction
Action & adventure
- LGBTQ+ action & adventure is a subcategory of the action & adventure category. It contains over 3,000 English-language titles, and about 35-50 new releases are added each month.
- Currently, 3% of the LGBTQ+ action & adventure top 100 are sapphic books.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the LGBTQ+ action & adventure top 100 is currently around #90,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Action & Adventure Fiction » LGBTQ+ Action & Adventure
You could also have your book added to the following non-sapphic action & adventure categories:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Action & Adventure Fiction » Action & Adventure Romance Fiction
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Women’s Fiction » Women’s Action & Adventure Fiction
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Romance » Action & Adventure
Horror
- LGBTQ+ horror is a subcategory of the horror category. It contains over 1,000 English-language titles, and about 25 new releases are added each month.
- The Amazon sales rank needed to break into the LGBTQ+ horror top 100 is currently around #365,000.
- Full category path: Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Horror » LGBTQ+ Horror eBooks
You could also have your book added to the following non-sapphic horror categories:
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Horror » Occult Horror
- Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Horror » U.S. Horror Fiction
I hope this list is helpful the next time you’re publishing a book!