📧 Email Marketing for Authors: Tools & Tips to Grow Your List

Email remains one of the most powerful tools in an indie author’s marketing toolkit. Whether you’re launching a new release, nurturing your superfans, or promoting backlist titles, having a solid email strategy can drive real results.

This guide breaks down the top email platforms for authors — including well-known names like Mailerlite, ConvertKit, and Mailchimp, as well as Wix’s built-in tools, which offer surprising value for those using Wix for their website.

💡 This post is part of our Ultimate Tools for Indie Authors series. Explore tools for writing, formatting, promotion, and more.

✉️ 1. MailerLite

Best for: Simplicity, affordability, and automationVisit →

MailerLite is a top pick for indie authors. It’s easy to use, affordable (with a generous free tier), and offers advanced automation features that rival more expensive tools.

✉️ 2. ConvertKit

Best for: Advanced automation and creator-first featuresVisit →

Designed with creators in mind, ConvertKit is great for segmenting your audience and setting up automations based on reader behavior. Their landing page and form builder is excellent too.

✉️ 3. Mailchimp

Best for: Brand familiarity and integrationsVisit →

Mailchimp has been around for years and offers solid features for beginners. While its free tier isn’t as generous as it used to be, it’s still a trusted option with great analytics.

✨ 4. Wix Email Marketing

Best for: Authors using Wix websites who want an all-in-one platformVisit →

If you’ve built your website on Wix, its built-in email marketing tool is a great starting point. It integrates directly with your site, allows automated sequences, and includes beautiful email templates — all without needing a third-party service.

👥 Bonus: Use BookFunnel, StoryOrigin & HelloBooks to Build Your List

Tools like BookFunnel, StoryOrigin, and HelloBooks help you grow your list by delivering reader magnets, facilitating group promos, and running genre-targeted giveaways.

💌 Quick Tips for Authors:

• 📥 Offer a strong reader magnet (like a novella, deleted chapter, or exclusive short story)

• 🔁 Use automation to welcome new subscribers

• 🧪 Test subject lines and send times to improve open rates

• 📈 Clean your list regularly to keep engagement high

Up next: Top Analytics & Ad Tools for Indie Authors →