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Email Marketing for Authors: Grow an Email List that Actually Sells Books
You’ve heard it a hundred times.
Email marketing is the key to selling more books.
So why haven’t you started?
Maybe it feels too technical. Too time-consuming. Too easy to mess up. You’ve got writing to do, and the idea of building a list, crafting automations, or sending emails just sounds exhausting.
You’re not alone. Most authors avoid email until it’s too late. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be that hard or take up all your time.
You’ll learn how the right readers without begging on social mediaCreate lead magnets that convert casual fans into loyal subscribersBuild a simple email system you can stick withAvoid spam filters and keep your emails out of the trashTurn your list into sales, superfans, and long-term incomeWhether you’re starting from zero or rebuilding the right way, this book shows you how to grow your email list with purpose and keep your audience engaged for the long haul.
Get it now!
Email marketing is the key to selling more books.
So why haven’t you started?
Maybe it feels too technical. Too time-consuming. Too easy to mess up. You’ve got writing to do, and the idea of building a list, crafting automations, or sending emails just sounds exhausting.
You’re not alone. Most authors avoid email until it’s too late. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be that hard or take up all your time.
You’ll learn how the right readers without begging on social mediaCreate lead magnets that convert casual fans into loyal subscribersBuild a simple email system you can stick withAvoid spam filters and keep your emails out of the trashTurn your list into sales, superfans, and long-term incomeWhether you’re starting from zero or rebuilding the right way, this book shows you how to grow your email list with purpose and keep your audience engaged for the long haul.
Get it now!
- GenresWritingNonfiction
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2025
About the author
Dale L. Roberts
106 books57 followersDale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and trusted voice in the indie publishing community. With over 50 titles, 40 literary awards, and a YouTube audience of over 100,000 subscribers, Dale is a go-to authority for self-publishing success.
As a Video Content Advisor for the Alliance of Independent Authors and a pioneer in video marketing for authors, Dale empowers writers to build their brands and achieve bestseller status. His journey from a struggling first-time author to a self-publishing success story inspires thousands worldwide.
As a Video Content Advisor for the Alliance of Independent Authors and a pioneer in video marketing for authors, Dale empowers writers to build their brands and achieve bestseller status. His journey from a struggling first-time author to a self-publishing success story inspires thousands worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 26, 2025
If you’re an author who isn’t using email marketing to promote and sell your books, then maybe it’s time to turn into one. If you’re not sure if email marketing is right for you, then check out Email Marketing for Authors: Grow an Email List that Actually Sells Books by Dale L. Roberts to learn all about how it can help. This book shares how email marketing can be a powerful strategy for authors looking to build a relationship with readers as well as get the word out about their books. This book shows you how to get started and make the most of your efforts.
Roberts gives good advice in encouraging an author to figure out what they want an email marketing list for. He includes certain reasons authors might want to use email marketing (to sell books, build an ARC team, test the response to their writing, etc.) and notes that making this distinction will help the author market more effectively.
One of the reasons why authors are encouraged to communicate with readers is so that the readers can get to know the author better. While some readers just want to read books, other readers want to know more about the author, and this can be achieved through email marketing. I have a monthly newsletter that is impersonal, but my weekly Substack offers personal glimpses about me and my life. As Roberts states in this book, on page 9,
Email marketing isn’t about pretending to be someone you aren’t. You don’t have to fake it till you make it; be authentic and lead with your best self every time.
Readers who subscribe to an author’s mailing list often do so in order to know the author better and learn more about what they are like. This can be very advantageous to the author who is hoping to build a strong connection with their readers. Roberts notes on page 10, “You will always attract and keep the right subscribers when you’re being your truest self.”
The thing I love about this book is that Roberts has tested and tried out the services he discusses. Some of the free email marketing services online can be attractive, and he tells you what to watch out for there. He also shares what you can expect from such free services, and how they will stay free only for so long. Additionally, he breaks everything down and shares what all those letter jumbles mean (such as SPF and DMARC). This book seems to be useful for the veteran email marketer, but it would be just as useful to the newbie email marketer who is not sure where or how to get started.
The biggest message in this book is just how important and powerful a mailing list can be (while also offering pointers on building a mailing list and warning against buying one). Roberts reminds readers that, for the author, an email list is a personal tool for marketing. It is something they created organically and something that is uniquely their own, he writes. The best part is that, if it’s saved in the cloud, for example, nothing can make that list disappear forever. Your computer crashes, a website is taken down or social media feeds make it hard to find anything; that list will still be there, and for the author’s eyes only. As Roberts states on page 103:
Social media can be effective, but much like when you self-publish a book on Amazon or any other retailer, you’re building your presence on borrowed land. You’re growing fruit in someone else’s garden, and they can lock the gate at any time, leaving you with nothing. Email marketing is different; it’s a direct line to your readers.
And as this book will show, email marketing is not as intimidating or confusing as some people may believe. In fact, it can work to an author’s advantage, and it can be understood well if used correctly. Studying books such as this will also help demystify email marketing, as this book does an excellent job in offering guidance on how an author can get started using email marketing to promote and sell books.
Dale L. Roberts’ Email Marketing for Authors is an informative and good introduction to authors new to using email marketing. With a focus on authors who want to build relationships and promote their books, this handy guide breaks down how email marketing works and clears up any confusion about how to get started. This book would be useful to authors looking to create a connection with their readers as well as email marketers looking for unique tips on how to create emails with higher open rates and more frequent clicks.
Roberts gives good advice in encouraging an author to figure out what they want an email marketing list for. He includes certain reasons authors might want to use email marketing (to sell books, build an ARC team, test the response to their writing, etc.) and notes that making this distinction will help the author market more effectively.
One of the reasons why authors are encouraged to communicate with readers is so that the readers can get to know the author better. While some readers just want to read books, other readers want to know more about the author, and this can be achieved through email marketing. I have a monthly newsletter that is impersonal, but my weekly Substack offers personal glimpses about me and my life. As Roberts states in this book, on page 9,
Email marketing isn’t about pretending to be someone you aren’t. You don’t have to fake it till you make it; be authentic and lead with your best self every time.
Readers who subscribe to an author’s mailing list often do so in order to know the author better and learn more about what they are like. This can be very advantageous to the author who is hoping to build a strong connection with their readers. Roberts notes on page 10, “You will always attract and keep the right subscribers when you’re being your truest self.”
The thing I love about this book is that Roberts has tested and tried out the services he discusses. Some of the free email marketing services online can be attractive, and he tells you what to watch out for there. He also shares what you can expect from such free services, and how they will stay free only for so long. Additionally, he breaks everything down and shares what all those letter jumbles mean (such as SPF and DMARC). This book seems to be useful for the veteran email marketer, but it would be just as useful to the newbie email marketer who is not sure where or how to get started.
The biggest message in this book is just how important and powerful a mailing list can be (while also offering pointers on building a mailing list and warning against buying one). Roberts reminds readers that, for the author, an email list is a personal tool for marketing. It is something they created organically and something that is uniquely their own, he writes. The best part is that, if it’s saved in the cloud, for example, nothing can make that list disappear forever. Your computer crashes, a website is taken down or social media feeds make it hard to find anything; that list will still be there, and for the author’s eyes only. As Roberts states on page 103:
Social media can be effective, but much like when you self-publish a book on Amazon or any other retailer, you’re building your presence on borrowed land. You’re growing fruit in someone else’s garden, and they can lock the gate at any time, leaving you with nothing. Email marketing is different; it’s a direct line to your readers.
And as this book will show, email marketing is not as intimidating or confusing as some people may believe. In fact, it can work to an author’s advantage, and it can be understood well if used correctly. Studying books such as this will also help demystify email marketing, as this book does an excellent job in offering guidance on how an author can get started using email marketing to promote and sell books.
Dale L. Roberts’ Email Marketing for Authors is an informative and good introduction to authors new to using email marketing. With a focus on authors who want to build relationships and promote their books, this handy guide breaks down how email marketing works and clears up any confusion about how to get started. This book would be useful to authors looking to create a connection with their readers as well as email marketers looking for unique tips on how to create emails with higher open rates and more frequent clicks.
September 30, 2025
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.
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.
September 4, 2025
Every Indie Author Needs This Email Marketing Guide
As a long-time fan of Dale L. Roberts’ YouTube channel, I knew his book on email marketing would be packed with the same clarity, practicality, and up-to-date strategies he’s famous for sharing with indie authors.
I was right (of course!) Dale is always one step ahead in helping indie authors stay relevant as he continually refreshes his advice to keep pace with an ever-changing publishing landscape.
Better still, he makes email marketing feel approachable and sustainable. I applied some of Dale’s strategies to my own newsletter, and just today, I gained three new subscribers out of the blue. So, his stuff really works!
Dale provides practical steps, such as building simple automations and waiting a full week before analyzing open rates and click data. The focus is on writing and connecting with readers, rather than endlessly tinkering with technology.
Another standout feature is his inclusion of AI prompts to help craft engaging subject lines and compelling email content. If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor, wondering what to say, what to send, how often, or whether it’s even worth the effort, this concise, actionable, and encouraging book is for you.
Dale L. Roberts has again distilled his years of experience into a resource to help you grow as an author.
If you’re a self-published author who wants to build genuine connections with readers and sell more books without burning out, grab it now!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
As a long-time fan of Dale L. Roberts’ YouTube channel, I knew his book on email marketing would be packed with the same clarity, practicality, and up-to-date strategies he’s famous for sharing with indie authors.
I was right (of course!) Dale is always one step ahead in helping indie authors stay relevant as he continually refreshes his advice to keep pace with an ever-changing publishing landscape.
Better still, he makes email marketing feel approachable and sustainable. I applied some of Dale’s strategies to my own newsletter, and just today, I gained three new subscribers out of the blue. So, his stuff really works!
Dale provides practical steps, such as building simple automations and waiting a full week before analyzing open rates and click data. The focus is on writing and connecting with readers, rather than endlessly tinkering with technology.
Another standout feature is his inclusion of AI prompts to help craft engaging subject lines and compelling email content. If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor, wondering what to say, what to send, how often, or whether it’s even worth the effort, this concise, actionable, and encouraging book is for you.
Dale L. Roberts has again distilled his years of experience into a resource to help you grow as an author.
If you’re a self-published author who wants to build genuine connections with readers and sell more books without burning out, grab it now!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
March 17, 2026
Anyone who has been intimidated by the idea of an author newsletter, take the day or two to read this book and feel confident and ready to start!! I’ve been watching Dale’s YouTube channel for years and figured it’s time for me to get serious before my second book release this August (2026).
As Dale explains: “You don’t need a perfect email newsletter. Give it your best shot and stay consistent.”
This one line is enough to sell me on how important an email newsletter is: “Unlike social media posts, emails don’t vanish or get buried by trends.” And this one: “Unlike a website or blog that depends on visitors showing up, your email lands right in their inbox.”
I highly recommend the ebook as you’ll want to highlight the heck out of it. ;) Trust me there are lots of golden nuggets in this one that I can’t wait for you to find for yourself, so I’ll leave you with one last one to help you in deciding if you should not only start a newsletter but get this book: “I’m often asked in interviews what is the one thing authors should do above all else. Is it a website, blog, social media, or email marketing? Without hesitation, I answer with email marketing every time. You get a straight path to your readers without the friction you’d find on social media or a website.”
As Dale explains: “You don’t need a perfect email newsletter. Give it your best shot and stay consistent.”
This one line is enough to sell me on how important an email newsletter is: “Unlike social media posts, emails don’t vanish or get buried by trends.” And this one: “Unlike a website or blog that depends on visitors showing up, your email lands right in their inbox.”
I highly recommend the ebook as you’ll want to highlight the heck out of it. ;) Trust me there are lots of golden nuggets in this one that I can’t wait for you to find for yourself, so I’ll leave you with one last one to help you in deciding if you should not only start a newsletter but get this book: “I’m often asked in interviews what is the one thing authors should do above all else. Is it a website, blog, social media, or email marketing? Without hesitation, I answer with email marketing every time. You get a straight path to your readers without the friction you’d find on social media or a website.”
September 2, 2025
Almost…
I had very high hopes for this book. I agree with the author that email is an essential tool in the toolbox of any author. But while I’ve enjoyed some of the authors other books, I found this one, like the one on networking and like the one on a writing a book in 24-hours… to be too basic to the point of seeming to just be regurgitated information one can readily find on the Internet. After a decade of being the go to source for self publishing instead of going out with a bang to start his third author journey… First as a fitness author, and then as the guru of how to for self publishing, now he’s about to make a foray into being a horror author…instead of a bang it’s out with a whimper. Was there some good tips in there… certainly. Would I spend seven or eight dollars for the audiobook or 16 or 17 for the paperback… no I wouldn’t. The book feels rudimentary and a bit rushed. But I purchased it so I have a full set of all nine books. Color me… disappointed.
I had very high hopes for this book. I agree with the author that email is an essential tool in the toolbox of any author. But while I’ve enjoyed some of the authors other books, I found this one, like the one on networking and like the one on a writing a book in 24-hours… to be too basic to the point of seeming to just be regurgitated information one can readily find on the Internet. After a decade of being the go to source for self publishing instead of going out with a bang to start his third author journey… First as a fitness author, and then as the guru of how to for self publishing, now he’s about to make a foray into being a horror author…instead of a bang it’s out with a whimper. Was there some good tips in there… certainly. Would I spend seven or eight dollars for the audiobook or 16 or 17 for the paperback… no I wouldn’t. The book feels rudimentary and a bit rushed. But I purchased it so I have a full set of all nine books. Color me… disappointed.
September 13, 2025
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.
September 2, 2025
Succinct and oh so useful
Dale stresses the importance of knowing why you need an email list and on quality not quantity.
He shows how to get started on a budget, how to keep it simple and includes a final action oriented checklist.
I recommend this book to anyone struggling to dive into the email marketing world. You can do it armed with this book.
Dale stresses the importance of knowing why you need an email list and on quality not quantity.
He shows how to get started on a budget, how to keep it simple and includes a final action oriented checklist.
I recommend this book to anyone struggling to dive into the email marketing world. You can do it armed with this book.
September 2, 2025
Great information!
This book is practical clear and packed with useful strategies. It breaks down a complex subject into simple steps that any author can follow. I walked away with new ideas. I can apply right away and feel more confident about growing my audience.
This book is practical clear and packed with useful strategies. It breaks down a complex subject into simple steps that any author can follow. I walked away with new ideas. I can apply right away and feel more confident about growing my audience.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews