Whether you’re working on your first novel or your fiftieth, the time to start an author newsletter was yesterday. You already knew that, but how are you supposed to build that list?
The answer is a reader magnet—something that attracts readers to your newsletter that you can provide in exchange for their email address. You’ll also hear it called a freebie, a newsletter cookie, or a hundred other things. (I personally call them reader treats!) The idea is that you pop the link to sign up for your newsletter in the back of every book you publish and across your website, and you’ll gather subscribers who you can nurture through your newsletter. If you and your reader are well-matched, you’ll have created genuine fans, and don’t all writers hope their words will find the right readers?
Already have a reader magnet that’s working well for you? You can use these same ideas to excite and show appreciation for the readers who’ve already subscribed to your newsletter!
For Writers With a Large Backlist
- Older book from your backlist
- An origin story, prologue, prequel, or midquel for your series
- Collection of first chapters from different book series
- Story bridging two series together
- Family tree or map bridging books or series together
- Suggested reading order list
- Coupon code for purchasing a book from your backlist off of your website
For Writers Building a Backlist
- Exclusive bonus epilogue
- Future book’s initial chapters
- Deleted or bonus scenes
- Scenes written in an alternate POV
- A beloved side character’s story
- A character’s diary entries, letters between characters, or character dossiers
- A character’s secret recipe(s) or spell(s)
- Puzzles, coloring pages, printable bookmarks, phone wallpapers with quotes from your book, or other fun extras themed around your story
- Sneak peeks at your storyboards or outlines for upcoming books
- Themed playlist or soundscape you used while you wrote
