newsletters | Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Tips for Newsletters

March 2, 2023
mandyevebarnett

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.

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Tips on Learning Your Writing Craft

August 19, 2021
mandyevebarnett

As writers and authors, learning new skills, keeping ahead of genre evolution, trope changes and writing methods is vital for our continued improvement as a wordsmith. With the industry changing so quickly, we need to be ahead of the game.

The best ways to do this are:

Join a writing group
Read articles on the book industry
Take courses and workshops
Attend writing conferences
Subscribe to industry newsletters

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

How do you keep current with the writing industry?

This past weekend, I virtually attended When Words Collide and attended as many sessions as I could, while also being a co-presenter and panelist. Although, there was information I already knew, there were also those little nuggets of wisdom, insights and knowledge that made each session a gem. My notes were prolific and my follow up to action each gem will take several weeks.

There is always something to learn, whether you are just starting out on your writing career or have years of experience. We can have tunnel vision and ease into a ‘comfort zone’ so easily, when there are so many other calls on our time.

Some things can be scheduled monthly, such as updating your website or blog with current information. We don’t want a visitor to read upcoming events from 2018! Modify your bio to include your latest book, current WIP progression and appearances etc. Don’t leave your blog stagnant – post content regularly. (This can be once weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or even quarterly – just a known routine, so followers will know when to expect you to post).

We all have several social media accounts, so make sure they reflect the latest news, images etc. so they are in line with your current activities. This makes your author platform current. Also check links to ensure they are working properly or direct to a new site, if a change occurred. Refresh content and images so your platform doesn’t look dated or tired. Renew your copyright dates for all content across platforms on 1st January each year – this is one that can be missed very easily.

Can you share tips on what you do to stay updated and improve your writing skills?

Freelance Fright ~ Part I

April 30, 2014
mandyevebarnett

As a newbie to the freelance world, I so understand this…
Let you experiences in the comments. The more we share the more we learn and grow.

RiterRick

Before I get started, I’d like to answer an email received, the answer provided is a bit in depth, so bear with me as I take care of this:

Q:What do you do when you feel not so free when you’re freelancing writing?

A: I read

Thank you for your patience…

I freelance write when I have time. It’s not difficult and it brings in extra cash whenever I want. There’s always an array of topics available online. Something is bound to capture your interest. I can understand your hesitation. I hope this blog reaches out and calms those fears of freelancing.

Freelance writing is a versatile and competitive field. There are many subjects and just as many so called experts on the subjects. I compare freelancing to an auction. You spend hours placing bids on various ads. From there it’s the proverbial wait game. You click on your email…

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Cross Pollination of Genres…

March 10, 2014
mandyevebarnett

As a cross genre author, I find juggling different writing methods to be exciting and engaging. There are many aspects of each genre that you begin to notice cross over into one another when you write multiple forms.

With children’s stories we are aware of the language limitations and simplistic plot arc. The writing requires quick action and characterisation to keep the reader engaged and interested. With YA, we find teens require even more action but the language can be more forthright and the plot must be intriguing to keep them reading. Adult fiction can run the gamut of red herrings; extended descriptions and complex plot arcs. However, depending on your story structure you can ‘borrow’ rules from each genre to use in another. When I write non-fiction, such as articles, newsletters or workbooks, the rules are again different but to absorb readers, some techniques of story writing can be put into play to make the subject stimulating.

In recent times the romance genre has seen an increase in multiple genre novels. Romantic sci-fi, paranormal or fantasy, are becoming increasingly popular. When I was defining my novels, it was the most basic theme of each I had to recognize. It turned out to be love in its many forms, whether romantic, familial or love of a cause or lifestyle. In The Twesome Loop, reincarnation was the subsequent theme to a love story across time. For Life in Slake Patch, my protagonist, Evan found love and was instrumental in changing laws under matriarchal rule. My up coming children’s chapter book, Ockleberries to the Rescue, deals with two forest sprites who, not only love each other but all the animals within their home that they assist.

My recent article in Strathcona Connect – http://strathconaconnect.ca/common-ground-community-cafe-p308-90.htm , highlights a local community cafe. Without the love of its instigators and volunteers it would not have been created.