Authors Speak A column

compiled by

JoMarie DeGioia

Hello again! I questioned a group of multi-published Romance authors on an assortment of topics, and this column is the result. In this installment I tackle the subject of newsletters and websites. I believe you'll find most of these authors embrace technology as easily as we'd embrace their heroes!

Do you write a newsletter, either online or in the mail, to promote yourself and your books? If you have a website, do yo find it helpful with promotion?

"I recently moved to Writerspace, and they will be doing email newsletter mailings for me from now on. I write the letter and email it to them. AS for the website, yes, I think it's had a great impact, offering me more exposure because I'm now part of a writing community."—Catherine Anderson

"I have an occasional newsletter, perhaps once a year, and an e-mail list for occasional announcements. Email jo@j... to join. I also have a
chat list on yahoo. There's a web site too at jobev.com. All these things are helpful, in my opinion, and don't take too much time. The main thing about the web site is that it provides information to readers without me having to keep sending it to each person."—Jo Beverly

"I don't have an on-line newsletter, although I believe they can be a great promotional tool. I send a note to my email mailing list only when I have a new release. But I do update my website every month, and have found it to be a fabulous promotional tool." —Stephanie Bond

"An email newsletter goes out each month. This is generated from my website at www.stellacameron.com. Over the Holidays a special print newsletter goes out and I do mention upcoming books somewhere. I love my website and the people who come to `play!' There are craft articles there, and places for folks who like to chatter about books— any books. I have an area where I answer questions on writing. I do think a friendly website is a good promotional tool but it also brings me closer to other readers and writers."—Stella Cameron

"I don't have a newsletter—I find I just don't have time. But I do have a web site, and I think that's done a lot to interest the reading public in my books. My oldest son in my web master…. Here's the addy:
http://www.maggiedavis.com"--Maggie Davis

"I don't have a newsletter, because snail mail is expensive and unsolicited email gets deleted. Too much work for too little return, in my humble opinion… although I would obviously change my mind if there was a huge groundswell of readers clamoring for a newsletter from me. (Yeah, right.)—Diane Farr

"I do not write a newsletter, nor do I have a website. I'm not terribly gifted with technical things like that and I believe there is only so much you can do to promote Regency novels—although I am willing to learn more!"—Emily Hendrickson

"I think my website is a great promotional tool, and I really should do more with it than I've done so far. I do write an email newsletter, but only when I have a book about to hit the stands. I don't seem to be disciplined enough to manage a monthly or even quarterly newsletter!—Brenda Hiatt

"I have a website, which in my opinion is the only essential promotion an author must do/have. For that, I have built an email list of readers to which I send an alert as each of my books goes on the shelves. That's pretty much it. The website has a regularly updated Newsletter, with all my latest news, and fans who email directly are sent there. The website also contains ordering information, covers, previews, reviews etc for all my previous titles."—Stephanie Laurens

"I've had a website for years and find it very useful for posting information about upcoming released. I've just started doing an on- line newsletter—not sure of its efficacy yet."—Merline Lovelace

"A website is essential to establishing you identity as a professional. Whenever I have interviews scheduled, I refer reporters to my website before the interview. I don't do a newsletter because I really don't have much to say about myself. Writing a reader letter for the website is difficult for me. I'm a boring subject. I do send out a letter to my readers before the release of a book and try to send out post cards to my mailing list. This is obviously an area I need to work on."—Cathy Maxwell

"I have a publicist who handles all of this for me now. I do believe that a website is crucial, if for no other reason than because this is a technology driven world and I want to be right on top of things."—Tara Taylor Quinn

"I have a monthly e-newsletter that seems to be popular. I also have a website which allows readers to keep informed about upcoming books. My Web Boy (though for some reason, he seems to prefer being called Web Master, lol) updates it every few days for me."—JoAnn Ross

"I send a monthly update to my e-mail list, usually just announcing the latest contest winner and listing any booksignings I have planned for the month. I try to keep it very short and sweet, because I don't want my readers to feel overwhelmed with my mail. When each book is released, I send a much longer newsletter with all sorts of news, a `subscribers only' recipe, and other fun stuff. As for a website, I do have one, and I think that in this day and age it's essential—as well as one of the most cost-effective promotions available to authors. I like for my readers to have many reasons to visit, so I try to make sure my site includes more than just advertisements for my books…. I also run a contest every month with real jewelry as the prize."—Lauren Royal

"I do have a website, www.hopetarr.com, and I think in our computer age, the website is an important—critical—tool for getting your name and your work out there in the public eye. I will be starting up a monthly online newsletter… so please feel free to visit my site and sign my guest book to get on my e-mailing list."—Hope Tarr

JoMarie leads a monthly Romance Writers' Workshop at Barnes & Noble in Avon,Indiana, and is a member of Indiana Romance Writers, her local chapter of RWA, and Space Coast Authors of Romance. Visit her on the web at WWW.Jomariedegioia.com, or email her at Jomarie63@y...

The following article was published in the April 2004 issue of THE CALL, INRWA's online newsletter. Permission is granted to forward to Editor Link with permission of the author.