How do you make email marketing work for your author business—not against it? In this episode, creativity coach Jen Graybeal talks with Y. M. Nelson, author of The Accidental Swipe and host of the Nerdy Romantics podcast. Together, they dive deep into building a sustainable writing career—we talk about knowing who you are and what you want, and how that translates to better newsletters and marketing as an indie author.Y.M. shares her journey from writing tech manuals to publishing spicy, nerdy romance and romantic women’s fiction that celebrates emotional growth and representation. She opens up about the free learning available from webinars and critique partners, and deciding when to invest in coaching or paid tools.Jen and Y.M. also unpack practical business strategies for authors:Building an engaged email list and improving click ratesChoosing marketing tools that fit your stage of growthNavigating the “in‑between” years—when you’ve outgrown the beginner stage but aren’t yet full‑time Where to find Y. M. NelsonWebsite: ymnelson.comNewsletter Subscription: ymnelson.com/subscribe@authorymnelson on BlueSky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest@ymnelsonauthor on FacebookY.M. Nelson books on Bookshop.org: Bookshop.org USShe is currently writing The On Purpose Wedding, book 3 in the Accidental Lovers trilogy The Nerdy Romantics PodcastThe Nerdy Romantics Podcast: Nerdyromanticspodcast.com @nerdyromanticspodcast on YouTubeNerdyRomantics Podcast is everywhere you get podcasts Links for everything we discussedMailChimp: Email & SMS Marketing Platform | MailchimpMailerLite: https://www.mailerlite.com/ Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody: https://amzn.to/4bPfGBn Save the Cat by Blake Snyder: https://amzn.to/4drYcfK Story Engineering: Mastering the Six Core Competencies of Successful Writing by Larry Brooks: https://amzn.to/47GiBKb Story Genius by Lisa Cron: https://amzn.to/4verftI The Joy of Writing Sex: A Guide for Fiction Authors by Elizabeth Benedict: https://amzn.to/4drYjba Cheris Hodges: About – Cheris HodgesHoopla: hoopladigital.com/homeY.M. Nelson on Bookshop.org: Bookshop.org US20 Books to 50k Facebook Group: 20BooksTo50K® | FacebookThe Rules of a Rebound by Julie Carver: https://amzn.to/4cje3vX Work It: A 6- Week Coaching Intensive for Authors Information, registration, testimonials: https://www.jentheeditor.com/work-it Where to find JenWebsite: https://www.jentheeditor.com/All the socials: @jentheeditorSubscribe to Jen's newsletter for Author Marketing and Mental Health tipshttps://www.jentheeditor.com/subscribe

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related