A regular email you send to readers who have opted in, keeping them engaged with your work and primed to buy your next book.
A newsletter for authors is an email you send on a regular schedule to people who have signed up to hear from you. It typically includes updates about your writing, upcoming releases, behind-the-scenes glimpses, book recommendations, or personal reflections. Unlike social media posts that vanish into algorithmic feeds, newsletters land directly in someone's inbox. That direct line to your readers is something no platform change or algorithm update can take away from you.
Your newsletter is the single most reliable way to reach your readers. Social media platforms rise and fall, algorithms shift overnight, but an email list belongs to you. When launch day arrives, you are not hoping the algorithm shows your post to your followers. You are sending a message straight to people who already told you they want to hear from you. That is an enormous advantage.
Green's newsletter built anticipation for his book of essays by giving subscribers early access to his reviews. The newsletter audience became the book's most passionate advocates.
Wendig's irreverent newsletter blends writing advice, publishing news, and personal updates. His voice is so distinct that subscribers stick around for the personality as much as the content.
Kleon shares interesting things he has found each week, keeping it simple and generous. His newsletter is a masterclass in providing consistent value without pushing products.
Draft your first newsletter issue right now. Write a welcome email that introduces yourself in 200 words or fewer. Include one personal detail about your writing life, one thing you are currently working on, and one book recommendation. Keep the tone conversational. If you already have a newsletter, draft next week's issue instead.