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You may have noticed that books on our site can now include elements and themes. With this feature, you can better target an audience looking for books containing content, regardless of genre.
For example, if your book is a fantasy, but also contain a healthy thread of romance, you can check the romance theme when submitting the book. That way, readers who specifically want some romance in their books but aren’t looking for reads typically in the romance genre can filter their search results or change their preferences to more easily find your book. On the other hand, if a reader hates any kind of romance, they can choose a different book, instead of leaving a negative review simply because it wasn’t what they expected. Elements and themes allows readers to avoid books that contain elements that may be triggering to them. (Note: Because all the elements and themes are on by default when readers sign up, only readers who have a serious aversion to certain themes ever choose to avoid them, thus making both authors and readers happier all around.)
At Book Cave, our goal is to describe book content, so authors can find eager readers and readers can find the perfect books for them. This way, you get new, dedicated fans who love what you write, and readers get lots of great books that they know they’ll love!
Search by Elements and Themes
On My Book Ratings, our large database of rated books, we have various ways to search for books: by genre, by specific content, by content ratings, and by retailer. Now readers can also include or exclude elements and themes to find exactly what they’re looking for. This robust search is pretty unique, and we’re excited to roll it out!
Element and Themes VS Genres
Now, some of the element and themes are similar to genres, so you may be wondering what genre and theme combination you should choose when submitting your book for promotion.
Here are some examples:
If your book is overtly Christian, still choose the Christian Fiction genre, and also add the Christian elements under Themes. If the book also contains romance, you can add the romance element/theme. If, however, Christianity is not a main focus or important aspect of the book, you could choose a different genre, such as contemporary romance, fantasy, science fiction, etc., and then add Christian elements to the submission. In other words, you should continue to choose your book’s main genre when promoting a book with us. Elements and themes are just a short way to say, “Hey, in case you are looking for it, this also contains X, Y, or Z.”
As we stated above, if your book is romance, please choose the romance genre to better reach the audience looking for romance. Then add the additional elements or themes your book contains. For instance, if your book is a romance that has a strong thread of infertility, choose the romance genre and the theme for infertility. If, however, romance isn’t the main plot/focus of your book, choose the main genre (thriller, fantasy, mystery) and add the romance element. Doing so will alert readers who enjoy a side serving of romance to take more interest in your book.
This same situation is true for LGBTQ+ books. If your book is LGBTQ+, please choose the LGBTQ+ genre to better reach the audience looking for LGBTQ+. Then add additional elements or themes your book contains. If only a minor character is LGBTQ+, or the orientation is not really part of the plot, then choose the genre your book falls in and add the minor or main LGBTQ+ characters theme. Doing this will allow readers who are looking for these themes and characters to search for them specifically, regardless of your chosen main genre.
We want your book to go to the widest audience that will be most likely to download and read it, so the editors may adjust your book’s genres or themes to reach that audience. Your approval email will show the final genre and themes.
Happy promoting!
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