What Writers Need to Know About Amazon

Amazon plays a major role in today’s publishing landscape—but how much control do you really have as an author?

This workshop breaks down what every writer should understand about Amazon’s ecosystem, with a focus on data ownership, discoverability, and sales tools. We’ll compare the level of insight and control traditionally published authors have versus self-published authors, helping you understand what information you can (and can’t) access about your readers and your book’s performance.

Participants will also learn why a strong book description and effective A+ Content are critical to converting browsers into buyers, and how these elements influence Amazon’s algorithms and reader behavior. Finally, we’ll cover the basics of running Amazon Ads—what they can do, when they make sense, and common mistakes authors should avoid.

Whether you’re traditionally published, self-published, or considering your options, this session will give you practical knowledge to make smarter decisions about your books on Amazon.

About Yolanda

Yolanda T. Marshall is an award-winning Guyanese-born Canadian author and columnist. She is also the author of over 20 books, including Brown Girl in the Snow, A Piece of Black Cake for Santa, Sweet Sorrel Stand, What’s in the Cookie Tin?, C is for Carnival, Hot Cross Buns for Everyone and My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans. This traditionally published author writes diverse, inclusive, and festive children’s literature that represents the African/Caribbean diaspora.

Time: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Date: March 14, 2026
In-person location: 201 Centre Street South, Whitby or Online Zoom