10 Email Ideas for Writers

Let’s face it, coming up with email ideas to engage our subscribers is often a hurdle for writers, especially fiction writers. So today, I’ve got some ideas to share for both fiction and nonfiction writers.

5 Email Ideas for Fiction Writers

1. Pull Back the Curtain
   Give them “a day in the life of” view. What do you do to prepare for a writing session? Do you seek guidance from God when you sit down in front of your computer? Do you have your favorite drink at hand? What is it? Do you have a word count or time frame you aim for each day? Take pictures you can share.
2. Interview a Character
   Pick a character from your latest book and interview them as if they were a real person. Create 4 or 5 questions and then have the character answer them. Each question can constitute one email, depending on how long an answer your character gives.
   
   For example, a question I might ask Abby Reynolds from my Her Inheritance series: Abby, was it love at first sight when you saw Cohen Reed standing in the sanctuary of Christ Community church? Have fun!
3. What Gets the Creative Juices Flowing?
   I know I’ve often shared that I listen to music as I write (be it books or blog posts). Do you? Share your playlist. (I’ve got Danny Gokey playing as I write this.) Do you go for walk when you feel blocked? Share what you do to tap into the creative side of your brain.
   
4. How/Where I Got the Idea for [Your Book Title]
   Many readers ask “where did you get the idea for your book?” Did it strike you randomly in the middle of the night? Was it a real-life experience that sparked the idea? Share it.
   
5. How I Choose My Characters’ Names
   I was very particular when I named the characters in my Her Inheritance series. I researched the various meanings of names and made choices based on those meanings. Many of my readers might now know those meanings, but some will, and I do. And for me that’s what’s important. Share how you go about determining the names of the characters in your book, to include any books or websites you use in doing your name research.

5 Ideas for Nonfiction Writers

1. What I Discovered in Writing [Your Book Title]
   Many writers’ first book is often a personal experience story. In retelling your experience did you discover something about yourself? Did you find healing in any way as you wrote? Was there a key lesson or takeaway for you? If so, how has that impacted you since? (Fiction writers can also use this idea.)
   
2. Three Surprising Facts About [Your Book Title]
   Three, five, ten…whatever number you choose, give them fun, lesser-known facts about the topic of your book. Teach your readers something new and interesting about your topic that might help them.
   
3. How I Overcame My Biggest Challenge in Writing [Your Book Title]
   Did you face a challenge while researching or writing your book? Share the story and how you overcame the problem.
   
4. How [Your Book Topic] Changed My Life
   Share a story related to the topic of your book, how you came to write about the subject, and how it impacted your life. If you shared these things in your book, consider sharing something that didn’t make it into the book.
   
5. What I’m Reading Now
   Share nonfiction books you are currently (or recently) reading. This gives them reading ideas and also connects them with your personal interests.

Ideas 1 and 4 from the fiction section are applicable for nonfiction writers as well.

Many of the nonfiction email ideas can be applied to the fiction side too. Be creative, and most of all, have fun.

Here’s a post by Rebecca Livermore from several years back that might offer some other ideas.