All Things Book Marketing Building Influence and Community: The Future (and Power) of Author Newsletters
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May 28, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Kathleen Schmidt, Founder of Kathleen Schmidt Public Relations and a seasoned professional in publishing, shares insights from her journey in the industry. She highlights the power of newsletters, sharing her experience with 'Publishing Confidential,' which boasts a vibrant community of 16,000 subscribers. Kathleen emphasizes authenticity in content, the importance of consistent engagement, and how newsletters can foster connections between authors and readers. Future plans, including potential branded events and a podcast, also hint at exciting developments.
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Kathleen's Newsletter Growth Journey
- Kathleen Schmidt started her "Publishing Confidential" newsletter in 2016-2017 during a career gap using MailChimp with 50 contacts.
- She paused it when she became a literary agent, then relaunched on Substack in 2023 where it grew organically to 16,000 subscribers.
Newsletters as New Book Media
- Newsletters like Substack are becoming key book discovery platforms as legacy media cuts book coverage.
- Emails in inboxes have higher reader attention than scattered social media views or paywalled reviews.
Pitching Newsletter Creators
- When pitching newsletter creators, understand their audience thoroughly by reading their content and comments.
- Tailor pitches to match creator interests and audience needs for better engagement and coverage.