If, like me, you've not started doing any email marketing, this book is a great introduction to the topic with lots of practical tips that you can use straight away. Whilst for my market, I think the standard frequency of emails is perhaps every 2-3 months, the reminder to keep your email list warm and keep sharing interesting information (such as research you've undertaken) is key. The book covers how to choose a mailing list provider, things to look out for, key metrics to monitor and more advanced suggestions on segmenting your email list where appropriate. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A comprehensive and easy to understand author's guide to building a worthwhile email list. I read this quickly, and took copious notes, and I now feel better equipped to tackle my email campaigns.

I’ve been an author assistant for more than eight years and have read several of Dale L. Roberts’s books—Amazon Reviews for Books, Amazon Keywords for Books, Advertising for Books, and Promotional Strategies for Books. His newest, Email Marketing for Authors: Grow an Email List that Actually Sells Books, is a practical entry point for writers who know they should use email but feel unsure how to begin.

Roberts helps authors think through the “why” of a newsletter before chasing sign-ups. He warns that a list without a clear purpose turns updates into noise, a problem I see often with new clients. I appreciated his push to attract readers who want to hear from you rather than padding numbers with giveaways that lead to disengagement. He explains why permafree books and front-matter sign-ups can bring in better subscribers than one-time promotions.

Several concrete tips stand out: keep your list lean and active, include whitelisting instructions on your own site to improve deliverability, and use pop-ups strategically. A benchmark worth noting is his reminder that once your list grows enough to trigger higher monthly fees from your email provider, it should also be generating income to cover the added expense.

This book is most useful for pre-published or early-career authors who need a clear plan for starting an email list and avoiding common mistakes. More experienced marketers may find the material too basic, but for beginners, it offers a straightforward path and a realistic view of what an author newsletter can and should do.

Overall: 4/5 for beginners. A pass for veteran marketers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received through NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.