What do writers ask about owning their readers?
Mostly the same dozen questions, whatever stage they’re at. Here are short answers, each with a link to the page that goes deeper.
Litopia Editorial, with Peter CoxUpdated
What does “own your reader” mean?
It means you can reach your readers directly, without anyone’s permission, and take them with you if you move. In practice that’s a mailing list of people who asked to hear from you, on a service that lets you export it.
What’s the difference between a follower, a subscriber and a true fan?
A follower belongs to a platform, which decides whether they see your posts. A subscriber gave you their address and gets every letter. A true fan, in Kevin Kelly’s sense, buys everything you write. Rented or owned covers the first two, and 1,000 True Fans the third.
Is 1,000 a magic number?
No. Kelly meant it as an order of magnitude: far fewer than a million, and close enough to plan for. Your own number depends on what each reader is worth to you, which The arithmetic helps you work out.
Can 1,000 true fans pay the bills?
On royalties alone, rarely, because writers earn a few dollars a copy. But a thousand readers who buy every book give you a launch, reviews, word of mouth and a backlist that keeps selling, and that’s what most careers are built on.
I have a publisher. Isn’t finding readers their job?
Your publisher sells books, mostly through shops online and IRL, and rarely knows who bought them. Your readers’ interest in you outlasts any single deal, so the list should belong to you. When publishing changes explains why.
I’m not published yet. Isn’t it too early?
No, it’s the best time to start. A list takes years to grow, and the readers who watch a book being written are the keenest to buy it. Start before the book shows how to begin.
Isn’t social media enough?
It’s a good doorway and a poor home. Use it to meet readers, then invite them to something you own. Followers can vanish overnight if a platform changes its rules.
How long will it take to reach 1,000?
Usually a few years, faster around launches and events. Twenty new subscribers a week gets you there in about a year; three a week takes over six. Realistic goals has the milestones on the way.
What if I run out of things to say?
You won’t, once you stop waiting for news. Readers love the research, the reading and the writing life itself. Letters, not press releases has plenty of ideas.
Can I add people who gave me their card at an event?
Not directly. Send them the sign-up link, or a confirmation email, and let them choose to join. Every subscriber should have agreed, and confirmed it.
Can I move my list to another service later?
Yes, if your service lets you export it, which is worth checking before you start. The list you own lists what to look for.
Should I charge for my newsletter?
Maybe later, for extra material. A free newsletter puts nothing between a curious reader and your next book, so most writers start there and add a paid tier only when readers ask for more.
Where does the Fediverse fit in?
It’s a network of social sites with no owner, no ads and no algorithm, popular with independent-minded readers. It’s a good place to meet them before inviting them to your list. The Fediverse explains how.
Who is behind this guide, and where does Litopia fit?
This guide is written and published by Litopia, a community for writers since 2005. Litopia membership is free and includes an Author Page, a blog and the Colony, the writers’ forum. The newsletter, which you can export at any time, is part of Platform Plus+, Litopia’s paid upgrade.