Hamsterra
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A3 · Getting started

Import your books in one go

For authorsVoice-over · English subtitles

Import several books at once from a CSV file and get them as drafts.

Go to written steps

Before you start

  • Set up your author profile.
  • Have your book details ready to put into the Hamsterra CSV template.
  • Be ready to confirm that you have the rights to import these books.

Watch the walkthrough

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English voice-over and subtitles; use the player’s captions control to adjust subtitles. The video is embedded from YouTube.

Chapters

  1. Open Import books.
  2. Choose how to import.
  3. Download the CSV template.Current chapter
  4. Upload your CSV.
  5. Check each row.
  6. Choose a genre and an audience.
  7. Confirm and create the drafts.
  8. Check the next steps.
  9. Finish each draft.
  10. Your backlist is on your shelf.

Transcript

Select a line to jump to that moment in the video.

  1. Already have books out?
  2. In this video, you'll import several at once as drafts.
  3. Open Books in the sidebar, then select Import books.
  4. You can import up to 50 books at a time.
  5. Paste ISBNs, ASINs, or Amazon and Goodreads book links, and Hamsterra looks up the details.
  6. You can also upload a CSV file or a Goodreads export.
  7. We'll use the Hamsterra CSV tab.
  8. Select Download template to get every column and an example row.
  9. Each book needs a title, unless you give an ISBN or ASIN.
  10. There's no cover column: you add covers later.
  11. Fill in the template, then select Choose file and pick your CSV.
  12. Select Continue to lookup.
  13. Hamsterra keeps your file's details and can fill gaps using an ISBN or ASIN.
  14. Now check each book.
  15. These rows have no ISBN or ASIN, so their details come straight from your file.
  16. Salt and Starlight is already in your books, so it's unchecked: that avoids a duplicate draft.
  17. Every book needs a primary genre and an audience before drafts are created.
  18. This one has neither, so choose them here.
  19. Select Edit details to check the description, language, release date and identifiers.
  20. Tick the rights statement to confirm these are your books.
  21. The bar at the bottom shows what's left to do.
  22. When it says Ready to create drafts, select Create 3 drafts.
  23. Nothing is published.
  24. Your drafts are ready, and no public pages changed.
  25. Next steps shows what to add and what to check: covers, content warnings and your answer to the AI use question.
  26. Skipped rows explains anything left out.
  27. Hamsterra keeps no import history: the drafts themselves are the result.
  28. Select Go to my books.
  29. Each draft shows what it still needs.
  30. Open a draft to add its cover and answer the remaining questions, then publish it, just as in the Add a book lesson.
  31. Your backlist is on your shelf.
  32. Next, launch an ARC campaign.

Written steps (text version of this video)

This walkthrough shows how to import your backlist from a Hamsterra CSV file: check each row, add a missing genre and audience, confirm your rights and create drafts that are ready for covers and the remaining questions.

  1. Open Import books.

    Open Books in the sidebar and select Import books. You can import up to 50 books at a time.

    0:11 Books →

  2. Choose how to import.

    Paste ISBNs, ASINs or book links, upload a Hamsterra CSV, or upload a Goodreads export.

    0:22 Import books →

  3. Download the CSV template.

    For a CSV, select Download template. Each book needs a title, unless you give an ISBN or ASIN. Covers are added later.

    0:37 Import books →

  4. Upload your CSV.

    Select Choose file, pick your CSV and select Continue to lookup.

    0:55 Import books →

  5. Check each row.

    Books already in your books are unchecked to avoid duplicate drafts.

    1:09 Books →

  6. Choose a genre and an audience.

    Choose a primary genre and an audience for every book. Edit details shows the description, language, release date and identifiers.

    1:24 Books →

  7. Confirm and create the drafts.

    Tick the rights statement and select Create drafts (the button shows the number, for example Create 3 drafts). Nothing is published.

    1:39 Books →

  8. Check the next steps.

    Check Next steps and Skipped rows, then select Go to my books.

    1:54 Books →

  9. Finish each draft.

    Open each draft to add a cover, content warnings and the AI use answer, then publish it.

    2:15 Books →

  10. Your backlist is on your shelf.

    Next, launch an ARC campaign.

    2:29 Books →

Check you’re done

  • Your selected books appear as drafts in Books.
  • You have checked Next steps and any Skipped rows.
  • You know which drafts still need covers, content warnings or an AI use answer.

Common questions

Are imported books published straight away?

No. Imported books stay as drafts until you review and publish each one.

Can I include covers in the CSV?

No. There is no cover column. Add covers to the drafts after importing.

Why can’t I create the drafts yet?

Check the guidance below the rows. Select at least one book, choose a primary genre and audience for each selected book, confirm your rights and wait for any lookups to finish.

Still stuck? Report a problem