We have all seen, read or subscribed to another author’s newsletter in one form or another. When making the decision to create our own there are a few decisions to make first.

• Firstly, why do you want to produce a newsletter?
• How often will you publish it?
• What content will you share?
• And probably most importantly – do you have the time for it?

Stick to a Schedule 

Newsletters take time to create and format, so decide on a schedule that works for you and your other commitments, whether that is writing time or your personal life. Don’t make it a too frequent chore – you will quickly discard it altogether. (Or run out of content, which is disastrous). Once you have a workable schedule – stick to it! A newsletter a week is a great deal of work, so I would suggest once a month. Make sure you are not mailing out your newsletter too frequently, or it will become a chore. I send mine monthly (most of the time!) If you have a specific promotion, then you can send ‘special’ newsletters.

Create a Catchy Title and Imagery to Make Your Newsletter Unique

To attract attention, decide on a unique and personalized title. Then create a banner or typeface that will catch your reader’s eye. Once you have it – stay with it. The more often it is seen the more people will realize this is your newsletter and become familiar with it.

Go for Quality

• Always proofread and edit
• Add relevant images when necessary
• Limit links 

Make It Easy to Read

• Adding subheadings
• Using bullet points
• Highlight (bold or italicize) vital information
• Use short sentences and paragraphs

Offer Incentives

Every now and then, offer a reward to your current and potential subscribers. The prize need not be worth a fortune but relevant to your book’s topic or theme (or somehow related to the story).

What do you put in an author newsletter?

When it came to my author newsletter, I asked my subscribers what they wanted to hear from me. I also looked at other newsletters for ideas. It is a great way to formulate how you want your newsletter to look and to give you ideas on your content and frequency of transmitting it. 

Tip: You can pre-write your newsletter and schedule it. I find this gives me the ability to drop content into the draft throughout the month, so I don’t forget something.

My newsletter is Musings from Mandy Eve-Barnett – to distinguish each newsletter I add the month and a sub-title – Sneek Peeks & Glimpses.

Here is a list of possible content you can include: (it is by no means all-inclusive though).  

• Personal anecdotes and photos of your everyday life. You can include your writing space.
• Behind the scenes peeks – what you are currently writing, ideas formulating etc.
• Exclusive content like a cover reveal or a sneak peek at your next title
• Excerpts from upcoming books and free bonus chapters from past books.
• Launch dates of your new book
• Events you are attending, whether in person or virtually.
• Your writing processes.
• Report writing progress on novels.
• Request feedback on a current manuscript/project
• Interviews you have participated in with links
• Spotlights/interviews of guest authors
• What you are reading
• Your book reviews
• Include book research and photos.
• Tell what sparked book locations, plots, or characters.
• Interview an author in your genre.
• Recount your experiences at book events.
• Recount personal experiences that appeared in a book in some form.
• Include a photo of your writing space.
• Share writing milestones: signing an agent, book contracts, book releases, book awards.
• Display book trailers.
• Hold character interviews
• Offer installments of short stories
• Create a contest.

Remember the goal of any newsletter is to promote, so make sure to include:

Your author bio
Insert links to blog, website, Amazon and other sales sites and your Goodreads author page, and reviews.

Tip: Even unpublished authors can create an author newsletter. The sooner you start to grow your subscription list, the bigger your platform will be when you have something to sell.