Enjoying Newsletters: How to Write Christian Communications People Want to Read

by Amy Young

You might not think of yourself as a writer, but you are. Whether on social media, newsletters, or reports, writing is a part of your ministry life. What if improving as a writer allows you to communicate with friends, family, and co-workers more effectively? What if becoming a better writer is simpler--and more fun--than you remember from school days?

Viral communicator Amy Young is the perfect person to guide you through the maze. With encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of humor, she shares all that she has learned in her twenty-plus years of writing and ministry.

Enjoying Newsletters—formerly All the News—enables you to write compelling letters that communicate quickly, connect to the heart, and bring better support. These simple tricks will turn your monthly letter-writing from a chore into a pleasure.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2019

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is geared for those working in ministery who are sending newsletters back to supporters, however, I think there is a lot of really good information here for any Christian sending out a newsletter.

[Mdmaurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you struggle with writing newsletter, then really this book will inspire you to write them. Amy takes simple tools that writers use to make their books interesting and applies them to writing newsletters. She does it in such a way that you don't feel like you are in a boring writing class.

[Ruth Potinu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. It's practical while still managing to be fun. I will definitely be implementing some of the tips suggested in future newsletters.

[Kathryn Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, practical and fun too!

I loved this book! It was clear, practical, encouraging and just fun to read! She doesn’t go on and on about theory with no application, she SHOWS in every chapter how to improve your writing! Though this is specifically for newsletters, which I do write, I have found myself applying the concepts to my blog and other places where people see my writing. Highly recommended.

[Nathanael Ayling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, easy read full of practical tips on how to improve your writing, especially the writing of prayer letters.
Although the focus is on prayer letters, the principles also apply to writing blogs, or in fact any form of writing.
Whilst being a practical help, it is a fun read, full of the warmth and playfulness of the author.

Perhaps the most helpful chapter was in part 1 on the writer's mindset. The author deals with several excuses for not writing and deals with each one.

Helpful quote:
"Say, I am a writer. Not in a gaggy, self-help way, but as a statement of fact. If God has called you to this ministry, part of that call involves being a writer. Embrace your identity."

I'd recommend this book to all missionaries, any one who writes newsletters, or blogs, or anything - anyone who wants to improve their writing.

[Emily Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives straightforward, practical, easy-to-follow advice for improving all aspects of a newsletter. Drawing on her decades of experience as a writer of newsletters, blogs, and books, and using personal examples from her own newsletters, Amy covers practical tips that address common newsletter writing problems. From writing intros to using good images, from finding material to “killing your darlings,” Amy explains it all in a friendly, easy-going manner that makes you feel like you’re having a pleasant chat over coffee. Except that by the time you leave the coffee house, your newsletter will be greatly improved.

[Tanya Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle says it all – it’s a step by step guide of how to write Christian newsletters and an absolute must-read for anyone in that situation. Perfect for overseas workers and anyone who writes letters to raise support. Amy has written newsletters for over 20 years, really knows her stuff on writing and is an outstanding teacher. I was delighted to write an endorsement for this excellent book:

“Amy Young is an outstanding, warm and inspiring writing coach. She promises that anyone can be a writer, and with this book, I’m inclined to believe her. Filled with stories, humour and practical tips, this book is a must-read for any Christian workers who write newsletters.”

[Bayta · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you write newsletters, blog posts, etc – do yourself (and your readers) a favour and read Amy’s book! It is chock full of great tips, and very down-to-earth. Rather than just offer a lot of theory, Amy brings the different topics to life through the many examples from her own newsletters. She ends each chapter with a few different exercises to help readers apply what they’ve learned to their own writing.
I came away inspired to improve my writing, and with the tools and examples to make the necessary changes.
Highly recommend it!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So practical. I started reading and using it right away. When I used it to help me write a newsletter I felt like my supporters understood what I was trying to tell them, and the emotion that went with it.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like it was more geared towards people in overseas missionary work. Maybe wasn’t super helpful to read as someone who is already a bit of an over-thinker but Young did give lots of practical tips for how to write better newsletters.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did.

It's a "Newsletters 101" for people who don't get this kind of training in their preparations to move overseas as Christian workers.
This strikes me as a training workshop that was expanded to full-length book form. The information is basic, oddly specific at times (a guest-written section on how to take a good photo), and, I suspect will not age well.

I like the author and her writings in other venues, so I'm sad this book just didn't do it for me.

In this age where storytelling is so key to successful fundraising, and more and more Christian workers have been using social media and marketing best practices for a while now, is there really a big market for this book?