October: Growing a Newsletter, Giveaways, Resources, & News
How I grew my subscriber base x5, free consults, writing resources, lots of industry news, flash fiction, and a homemade tea latte.
Greetings readers & writers,
First of all, I know we are inhabiting an overwhelming time. Have you eaten anything yet today? Had a hydrating beverage? Taken a breath of fresh air or a walk around the block? Snuggled your pet, your kids, or your plants? If you have a few minutes, treat yourself to a quick writing meditation or listen to a song that pumps you up.
Your mental and physical health matters. You matter.
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Do you have a book release to celebrate? A new book you’re excited for? Share it on our “Newly Releasing Books” thread and find some new reads for your own TBR.
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I’m celebrating the one year anniversary of this newsletter. Over the past twelve months, I’ve multiplied my small initial list to gain 5x the followers!
BUT HOW?? Some of the strategies that have gained me subscribers:
My classes. The majority of my subscribers are former students/attendees. Connecting face-to-face with people who are interested in writing and marketing usually means they’ll sign up. This is why I still believe that events, even virtual ones, can be a powerful marketing tool!
Newsletter networking. Substack has hosted several audience-building webinars and the chat was filled with fellow writers looking to connect. I’ve also had success cross-promoting, creating a symbiotic resource share with other writers whose content is both high quality and relevant to my readership.
Giveaways. Encouraging folks to subscribe in order to win something? Works every time (and then hopefully they stay!)
Writing about topics important to me and you. My most viewed posts from 2020 were Resources for writers on racism, inclusion, and diversity and So Your Book Launch has Been Cancelled: Now What?; and from 2019: Waiting for the Next Big Thing. While I’m meticulous and thoughtful about each newsletter I craft, these three especially came straight from the heart and were my way of grappling with big, difficult topics that, clearly, other writers are too.
I would love to know what’s kept you coming back and how I can improve the content of this newsletter to match your needs. Take a few moments to fill out this short survey and you could win a $10 gift card to an indie bookstore!
Thank you so much for reading, subscribing, and sharing.
In fact, I’m so grateful, I’ve extended my consults giveaway through the end of the month (remember what I said about free stuff?) One consult is exclusively for legacy subscribers, the other is open to all subscribers. So if you’ve been here for awhile, just sit back and enjoy. If you’re new, WELCOME AND THANK YOU. There’s lots more for you here too.
Upcoming (Virtual!) Workshops:
Events are remote and require registration unless otherwise noted!
Nov. 12 (10AM): Speculative Fiction Variety Hour* - FREE! (email me for link)
*actually 90 minutes of exploring topics in speculative fiction, genre, and writing
Writing/Marketing Resources:
PEN America’s Free Speech 2020 campaign funds resources and initiatives combatting disinformation and online harassment while protecting journalists and the right to protest. If you’re interested in supporting them and getting some pretty cool literary voting swag, check out Out-of-Print’s “Get PoLITical” campaign and collection.
Melanin in YA is a new database cataloging all things Black in YA, with lists of Black YA authors, publishing professionals, influencers, bookstores, and more.
Check out author Eliana West’s highly detailed character profile worksheet aimed at crafting diverse characters.
Novelist Chimamanda Adichie’s TED talk on the danger of a single story is still essential viewing, especially for storytellers (and in our current political climate).
Industry News
Bookstores
The American Booksellers Association has sponsored two powerful marketing campaigns this month to encourage indie bookstore support. The first, #BoxedOut, came on the heels of Prime Day and featured striking window and book displays highlighting the threat of Amazon to independent bookstores. The second, “October is the new December”, encourages customers to buy holiday gifts from indies early as a form of support and in anticipation of supply chain delays.
Publishing
Due to restructuring, Little, Brown’s Jimmy Patterson imprint will be acquiring no new outside authors.
The former executive director of Feminist Press, Jamia Wilson, has been named as the incoming president and executive editor of Penguin Random House.
Macmillan has pledged to increase baseline salaries to $42k and also shuttered Imprint, an imprint (I know, confusing) that focused on branded and new content, as well as commercial fiction, for ages 0 - 18.
Prizes
American Poet Louise Glück was awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature.
This year’s MacArthur Fellows were announced. Among them are an incredible slate of BIPOC writers, including: N.K. Jemisin, Cristina Rivera Garza, Jacqueline Woodson, Larissa Fasthorse, and Tressie McMillan Cottom.
Reading Corner
The Black speculative fiction magazine FIYAH not only just wrapped their first ever FIYAHCON and it’s inaugural IGNYTE awards (which have been touted as the inclusive programming to which all cons/awards should aspire), but they’ve also collaborated with Tor.com for a free online anthology of incredible speculative flash fiction entitled BREATHE FIYAH.
Tea
For my birthday, my mother (hi Mom!) always calls to ask “What tea do you need?” I’d been browsing Brooklyn Tea’s website for ages but couldn’t choose between all the delicious options, so I sent Mom a list and made her decide for me!
She picked their Belgian Chocolate Rooibos which I have now enjoyed both hot and iced. But its subtle nutty, cocoa notes truly shine in the form of a rooibos latte. I’ve been successfully tweaking this recipe to re-create a warm, coffee shop experience at home (apparently you can foam milk with an immersion blender!)
Keep reaching out and supporting each other and your communities. Make a voting plan. Always happy to boost any projects, resources, or new books you’re working on!
All the best,
~Allison
Writer & Marketing Coach
Keep Writing, Keep Connecting! Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter | Website
Allison has happily made books her life’s work. She spent four years marketing and publicizing academic titles at The MIT Press before she went to work for Wellesley Books as a children’s bookseller and event coordinator. She is now living her dream: putting her B.A. in Creative Writing to good use as a novelist and as a writing/marketing coach for authors. She enjoys science fiction, cupcakes, and a hot cup of tea.