It appears to be a truth universally acknowledged that an author should have an email list, to which they regularly send a newsletter detailing their writing exploits.
There are, apparently, good reasons for this:
- Social media platforms bob in and out of popularity (X/Twitter is a good example). When a platform wanes or goes out of business, authors lose followers. However, a list of email addresses is yours to keep.
- Email is a more personal way to communicate with readers rather than ‘shouting’ to all and sundry via social media. Plus, the reader can hit ‘reply’ and open a genuine conversation with you.
- Keep readers engaged in between books coming out.
- Have a look at the Book Cave website for many more compelling reasons.
I have such an email list (you can signup here) but send out pitifully few newsletters and therefore I’m not properly connecting with all those wonderful people who have bought my books and been kind enough to trust me with their email address. (I use the Mailchimp platform to manage my newsletter and all the email addresses are securely held there and comply with GDPR rules). So, I was pleased to attend a Zoom seminar by Rebecca Fearnley about how she manages her author newsletter.
Rebecca uses the Mailerlite platform and regularly curates her subscribers in order to only keep those who are actually interested in her and her books. She offers a freebie to encourage signups but people who don’t open emails after they’ve received the free offer are eventually culled. This enable Rebecca to keep her subscribers below 1,000 and thus she can stick with the free version of Mailerlite. She uses BookFunnel to distribute her free e-book offer but this is a paid-for tool. Within Mailerlite, Rebecca has set up various email onboarding logic flows so that she can tell who has signed up from where and automatically send out different messages and measure their responses to gauge whether they are a worthwhile subscriber. At the end of each book she puts her newsletter signup link and the associated QR code. Rebecca sends out weekly newsletters – which really impressed me, it’s something I wouldn’t have the time, or the content, to do!
Going forward into 2025, I’m hoping to make more of my newsletter, possibly sending one every couple of months. It’s aimed at readers (this blog will continue because it’s aimed more at writers – but I hope you’re all readers as well!) and it usually contains information about books and TV programs I’ve enjoyed, how my my writing is going and a little bit about life in general. You’d be most welcome to find out how I get on.
In the meantime, I’d love to know your feelings on author newsletters:
Are you signed up to any? What keeps you opening and reading them? Do they encourage you to buy books? When/why do you unsubscribe?
Please let me know in the comments.
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by susanjanejones on December 29, 2024 - 4:02 pm
Hi Sally, I love subscribing to newsletters but don’t always find time to read them. It does help find new writers and their style of stories though and I have read more of a writer from getting to know them through a newsletter- I have thought about getting one but haven’t as yet. Maybe on my list to do!
#2 by Sally Jenkins on December 29, 2024 - 7:46 pm
Thanks, Susan. Useful to know that you have gone on to read books after getting a newsletter.
#3 by bravelyheart28bffd6a86 on December 30, 2024 - 3:24 pm
Hi Sally
I just see most newsletters as a form of advertising, really. It’s a subtle, persuasive ‘buy my book’, message, which is why I don’t want to bother with them!
I have signed up to one but the writer includes positive encouragement towards his readers, as he assumes that they are writers or potential writers. (Judging by the comments, they are). He also includes info about forthcoming fiction competitions and other little interesting snippets and how he got started with his career.
I’d aim your newsletter at readers and writers as well, and I’d include information of interest to both.
A lot of novel writers blab on about their life in general, as they think that everyone will be fascinated by it.
But ploughing through their dog walking route or a detailed breakdown of their lovely break away in a county cottage actually isn’t that fascinating!
#4 by Sally Jenkins on December 30, 2024 - 5:23 pm
Thanks, that’s really helpful!
I think people want information they can use such as a book recommendation (other than mine!), film, recipe or tip. And maybe a tiny bit of info about my writing life. Does that sound about right?
#5 by bravelyheart28bffd6a86 on December 31, 2024 - 1:22 pm
Unless it’s aimed at cooking buffs, I’m not sure about the recipes. Fiction based stuff like films or books should be ok. It’s difficult to get the balance right.