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Run the Shelf Test on your full manuscript

The Shelf Test reads your whole book and compares it to the bestsellers in your category.

About 5 minutes.

1. What the Shelf Test is

   It is the honest read a top publishing house would give your finished book. It names your reader, your promise and your Amazon category. It compares your book to well known bestsellers, scores it, and lists what to fix in order. The Shelf Test is part of the Author plan.

2. Get your manuscript ready

   Your book needs at least 1,500 words. The Shelf Test reads up to about 120,000 words at once.

3. Go to Your Shelf Test

   Open your book page. Find the part called Your Shelf Test, near the top.

4. Add your manuscript

   Open your manuscript. Select all, copy, and paste it into the box. A computer is easiest for this step. In Word or Google Docs, click Edit, then Select all, then Copy, and paste into the box.

5. Send it

   Tap Run my Shelf Test. The page says Your Shelf Test is running. It takes a few minutes, and the page refreshes by itself.

6. Read your results

   You get a short verdict, then Next to the bestsellers, your Scores, Your brand bridge, Keep these, What to fix, in order, Title ideas, and Things Amazon could flag. The box marked Start here is your first step.

7. Revise or publish as is

   Fix what matters to you, then use Revised? Send it again. Or, if you are happy with your book, tap I've read it. I'm publishing as is.