I got the nicest email this week in response to a newsletter that I sent on Monday. If you’re curious you can see it here. I often write these and wonder if anyone cares or reads them, but lately I’ve been getting several responses from readers. That’s been so much fun. But it also has me thinking about what you as readers love about our newsletters.
Each of us on this blog has a different approach. Deb Raney’s are so chatty and fun. Becky does a great job of peeling back and letting us behind the scenes. We share each others’ books. We talk about what we’re working on. But what do you like?
- Book News
- Giveaways
- Author Life
- What’s happening out side writing
- What we’re reading
- Etc.
There’s nothing like writing in a vacuum and wondering if anyone is enjoying what you send. I’d love your thoughts on what makes an author newsletter one you love.
I also wanted to make sure you knew about two giveaways associated with special Book Talks that are going on right now. Last week I hosted Melody Carlson, Irene Hannon, Liz Johnson, and Suzanne Woods Fisher for a great panel about their contemporary romances. Revell is giving away a copy of each of their books, so be sure to go here to participate. Tuesday I had another panel with Kelli Stuart and Joanna Davidson Politano about their International Historicals. It was so fun. You can enter the associated giveaway of their most recent books here.
Finally, I wanted to let you know that on June 15th I’m rereleasing Deadly Drive as a novella. It was first released in 2020 as part of the Mistletoe and Murder collection. This will be the first time you can order this stand alone story on its own. In this novella I got to play with writing the story in first person from the perspective of the heroine. It was so much fun! Here’s more about the novella: When her twin is killed in a failed robbery, Jocie has to go to Washington, DC, to identify him for her family. So she finds herself in a tightening spiral of questions in a race to find the truth. One phone call can change your life. What you do after that is up to you. Order it before June 15th for the special preorder price of $1.49.
Maybe you aren’t following us in our newsletters. Here’s a quick link for each of us:
- Tamera Alexander
- Robin Lee Hatcher (scroll down to the form)
- Jody Hedlund (scroll to the bottom)
- Angela Hunt (scroll to the bottom)
- Julie Klassen (click the icon on the right)
- D’Ann Mateer (scroll halfway down for the form)
- Dani Pettrey (scroll to the bottom)
- Cara C. Putman (use the pop up form)
- Deborah Raney (scroll down)
- Becky Wade (use the form at the bottom)
- Karen Witemeyer (use the form on the right)
Latest posts by Cara Putman (see all)
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I enjoy knowing what’s going on in an author’s life. For example, Deb Randy’s taking us along in her Chinook travels. I also like to hear about your new books and maybe some of the roadblocks you run onto while writing them. Your being interested in what I’m reading makes me feel a part of your world. Of course, a chance to win a gift is always fun, too.
Thanks, Harriet. So glad to know you enjoy the journeys! And yes, thanks,
Cara, for sharing all the newsletter links, and for asking this question. It’s a good one for us to ponder as the bloggers too!
You’re welcome, Deborah. I think it’s important to come back to the why — especially since it takes so much time.
Thanks so much for the feedback. It’s great to know what you enjoy.
Thanks for sharing links to all our newsletters, Cara!!
Seemed like a great opportunity to do so 🙂
I love reading about what’s happening in an author’s life as well as the writing process, inspiration, and so on. It’s fun to see cover photo shoots, trips, recipes, memes…I guess variety entices me! 🙂
I agree, Angie! I love the variety this blog offers. I’m interested in almost every post that pops up and the variety is a big part of the lure!
Variety is so fun as a reader. I added a meme this time and I think people enjoyed it. It makes me smile LOL
Author newsletters literally are my favorite thing! They make my day when I see them in my inbox. I love seeing what’s going on in an author’s life, writing inspirations, and just love hearing from them. I love when an author mentions how to pray for them because their words touch my life, and it gives me a way to give some of that back.
Thanks, Stacey! It’s soooo good to read this, because I never want my newsletter to feel like spam, ya know?!? And thank you for praying for us!
I love newsletters!
It is always so fun to hear what the Authors are thinking about.
It helps me remember that these talented people have lives like mine and sometimes struggle to get across the story they are sharing with us.
I have often wondered after I have finished a story who actually wrote this gem and what do they do when not writing. It is also fun to hear about where they live and the people in their lives.
Give aways are neat too.
Thank you so much for all of this, Jen!
Thanks, Cara, for including our links. So sweet of you! And I’m taking notes for my newsletter…that’s going out next week. Thanks, Harriet, Angie, Stacey, and Jen for sharing. Taking notes, friends! ; )
Book News, what you’re reading, authors’ lives, the authors’ process of writing. Thanks for asking us.
Hi, Cara! I enjoy the giveaways (who doesn’t like winning?!), I enjoy hearing latest book news, and I like to hear from the author about their writing process, what inspired that book, etc. I like some of their “home life” (but some emails get soo full of all of pictures and what they’re doing that I tune out and scroll for book news or delete…), and I enjoy when they share a scripture or something meaningful to them.
I like to see a little bit of everything (although maybe not all in one newsletter LOL). I seem to get a lot of them around the same time so reading through all of them can be a challenge, especially when they’re longwinded. I just quickly skimmed one yesterday that had probably a dozen books listed complete with the synopsis of each. (Yikes!) A photo or two is always nice – maybe one that hasn’t been shared on all of the socials for those of us who follow all of you everywhere. Other than that, it’s always nice to know when your next book is available for pre-order, when it’s available to mark as “want to read” on GoodReads, etc. And it is fun to see what y’all are reading. Not necessarily books for endorsement, but just books you’ve read that you loved. I usually at least look the book up when you do to see if it’s something I’m interested in.
Hi Cara, I love reading about book news and what God has been teaching you or doing in your life. This is always so encouraging even when you have had an ordinary or hard time.
I also like knowing what you are reading and it gives me ideas for what to read as well and helps me discover other books and genres.
Give a ways aren’t generally relevant to me as I live in Australia so I always skip them.
For me I love that the inspired by life and fiction emails are exactly that: an inspiration to my day.
I really enjoy reading this newsletter each day. Each author is so different and I think that’s what makes it so interesting. I love all the things you mentioned about what we might like in a newsletter. I enjoy getting to know each one of you and I think it makes it that much more personal when I choose one of your books to read.
I also want you to know what a blessing you all are to me. Your books have helped me through some difficult times, those nights when I could not sleep…you were there with your gift of words and wisdom. So many times there is a thought, a word, or phrase that touches my heart and helps me see things in a different light. For that and so much more…I am grateful! ♥️
I love reading about life experiences that make an author feel real and human. I enjoy hearing about every day problems, families, exciting news, and I really love the history behind the novels I have read.
On the other hand, I recently unsubscribed from an author’s newsletter because of the overtly political tones. I love reading Christian Historical Fiction but my political views are often a little more left than the traditional Christian. This does not lessen my faith, I have just had different life experiences that lead to a different point of view. I felt attacked on her website and immediately left. There is a way to discuss different viewpoints politely.
I enjoy hearing about an author’s current and upcoming books, research for books, things going on in their life that they wish to share, and anything that we readers can help/pray for. Thank you for providing me with great books to read without the foul language, etc.!
I like seeing all the above listed in an author’s newsletter. I also like occasional recipes and peeks at their writing spaces. If the author has another job besides writing, I don’t mind occasional mentions of that.
I love author newsletters! I like pet news/stories and book recommendations.
I really like all these things! Book news, personal news, book recommendations, etc. I like getting to know authors!
I love reading about the books you guys are working on and the process you go through. And I love all the personal updates too. This blog is a lot of fun to be a part of!
You don’t write in a vacuum. I get so many newsletters I confess I don’t read every one. I do read yours, I just don’t always comment. I like to read about anything in the categories you mentioned. I appreciate leaving out politics unless its a rare occurrence and you just have to speak your mind.
Well, not to play devil’s advocate or be the odd man out (or woman in this case) . . .:-) But I subscribe to a very few newsletters. If they are sent out more than once a quarter, I unsubscribe.
I like the topics you mentioned, and I love reading them here on the blog. I just don’t want newsletters. I read blogs via Feedly, and new posts stay there until I can get to them. With things that come via email, there’s a sense of urgency to get to them. Then if I don’t, they quickly get buried by other things.
But this post has reassured me that many people do like newsletters. Aspiring authors are often encouraged to start a newsletter even before publishing a book. I’ve often wondered if people really do read and like newsletters. It’s good to know the answer is yes!
Book news, author’s life, what you’re writing. I really liked when you wrote about your teaching trips outside of the country.
I follow a number of the authors on this site. Reading Julie Klassen is what brought me here. I really appreciate when authors respond.
I enjoy learning more about my favorite authors through their newsletters. The photos are fabulous.
Book news, what an Author is writing and Authors pictures and posts Blessings!
Giveaways always grab me, but I really enjoy seeing book news like cover reveals and progress, behind the scenes tidbits, photos, tie ins (recipes, crafts, etc), and what’s going on in your life. I also love to see how we can pray for you!