In the age of technology, where our inboxes are flooded with countless emails daily, it’s crucial to make our author newsletters stand out. As self-published authors, one of our most significant advantages is our ability to connect directly with our readers. We have the unique opportunity to cultivate our communities, sharing our writing journey, and offering exclusive content.
But what should we include in these emails? How can we ensure our readers are excited to open our newsletter and keep them looking forward to the next one? How can we provide value and deepen our connection with them?
Navigating the world of email marketing can be daunting. It’s a fine line to walk – providing valuable content and maintaining reader interest, all while avoiding coming off as overly promotional. But fear not, because I’ve been through this journey, and I’m here to help.
Whether you’re sending your first author newsletter or you’re a seasoned author looking for fresh ideas to rejuvenate your email content, this blog post is for you. I’ve compiled a list of ten email subject line templates, complete with content ideas for each, designed to engage your readers and provide them with real value.
Ideas for Author Emails with Subject Lines
“Unlock the Secrets of [Book Title] – Exclusive Author Insights Inside!”
\Share some behind-the-scenes information about your latest book. This could include character development, plot inspiration, research process, or even personal anecdotes related to the writing process. Readers often love learning more about the backstory of their favorite novels.
“A Special Gift Just for You: Free Short Story Inside!”
Give your readers an exclusive piece of content such as a short story, a novella, or a prequel/sequel related to your book universe. It will not only engage your existing readers but also attract potential ones.
“Meet [Author Name]: My Journey to Becoming a Self-Published Author”
Share your personal journey about becoming a self-published author. Readers love to hear about the person behind the books they love. Include your challenges, successes, and lessons learned.
“What’s Next? Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Novel Inside!”
Tease your upcoming work. Give them a brief glimpse into the world of your next novel, maybe even include a short excerpt or reveal the book cover. This can build anticipation and keep your readers engaged.
“[Book Title]: How I Created the World of [Fictional World Name]”
Discuss the world-building process behind your book. Describe how you created your book’s setting and the inspirations behind it. This works especially well for fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction authors.”
Join Me on [Date] for a Live Q&A About [Book Title]”
Announce an upcoming live event where you’ll be answering reader questions. This could be hosted on a platform like Instagram Live, Facebook Live, or YouTube. Give them the opportunity to submit questions in advance.
“[Author Name]’s Top Book Recommendations for the Month”
Share a curated list of books you’ve recently read and loved. This can help build a sense of community and connection with your readers, as well as position you as a fellow book lover.
“Step into the Mind of [Character Name] – Character Profile Inside!”
Offer a deep-dive character profile. Discuss their motivations, fears, dreams, and secrets. Include details not revealed in the book for an exclusive look at this character.
“Exclusive Discount on [Book Title] – 24 Hours Only!”
Announce a flash sale or exclusive discount for your book. If your book is part of a series, offering the first book at a discounted rate can entice new readers to start the series.
“Help Shape the Future – I Want to Hear from You!”
Request feedback or suggestions from your readers. You can ask about what they’d like to see more of, their favorite characters, or even ideas for future books. Including your readers in your process can help them feel more connected to you and your work.
I hope that these email ideas have given you some inspiration as to what to send to your email list! I feel like we hear a lot how important it is for authors to grow an email list, but rarely does anyone say what we should actually be sending that list. Whether you want to email your list weekly, biweekly, monthly, or on any other schedule, I hope you’ve got some ideas as to what to say to your readers!
If you enjoyed this article, please do check out my other posts on writing and publishing subjects! Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you again soon.
