Novel Marketing How to Build an Email List before publishing your novel
Oct 8, 2025
In this conversation, fantasy author Josiah DeGraaf shares his journey of building a thriving email list before his novel's release. He reveals how to identify your target reader and suggests unique ways to attract subscribers, such as leveraging live events and reader magnets. Josiah also discusses the benefits of using Kickstarter not just for funding, but for cultivating reader relationships and gathering valuable feedback. His strategies led to a successful launch, proving that knowing your audience is key to publishing success!
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Episode notes
Find Your Timothy First
- Identify a single target reader (a Timothy) as a real person you can test ideas on.
- Grow an audience of readers like them before you publish the book.
Three Concrete Timothys
- Josiah chose three real people (from church, online groups, and a friend) as his Timothys.
- He visualized their reactions while writing emails and books to hit their tastes.
Start With Personal Outreach
- Personally reach out to acquaintances and invite them to join your list to jumpstart subscribers.
- Collect emails directly rather than relying only on passive signups to hit your first 100.
