Good morning or afternoon or evening, depending on where you are right this very moment while reading this. I know I've been talking a lot about shorter emails for the 2025 reader, but today, I've got a long one for you. If you want to just work ahead, scroll down to see my sample email comparison and get a look at long email vs short. It's one of my old emails that I took and rewrote it in under 150 words. It should give you an idea of what's possible!

But for now, let’s talk about your own inbox for a second.

When’s the last time you got excited about an email you received that was basically a billboard? You know the ones—”BUY THIS NOW!” in giant red text with seventeen exclamation points and nothing else of value?

Yeah, me neither.

And yet, that’s exactly what a lot of author newsletters have become. A parade of book covers, buy links, and not a lot of brand-building storytelling happening.

Insert cricket sounds here

Look, I get it. You pour your heart into writing these beautiful books and you want—need—people to buy them. Right now, more than ever, right?

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: your readers signed up for YOUR newsletter, not Amazon’s “Stuff You Can Buy” weekly flyer. The more those appear in your reader's inboxes, from all the authors they signed up for, the more readers will begin to ignore our emails. We need to find the value in our emails to our readers but we also need to give it to them quickly and make it easy for them to say YES!

The good news? There’s a better way, and it doesn’t involve hiring a marketing team or spending 20 hours a week on your email.

I call it the experiential newsletter, and it’s changing how readers connect with authors in 2025. The real magic? You can create this brand experience in just a few punchy paragraphs.

Instead of treating your email list like a virtual bookstore display, what if it became the highlight of your readers’ inboxes? What if opening your email felt less like walking past a pushy mall kiosk and more like getting something from their favorite person?

The most successful author newsletters today aren’t focused on selling—they’re focused on experiencing. And no, that doesn’t mean writing a novel-length email (you’ve already done that part!).

Important Side Note: I'm talking about newsletters for the subscriber who signed up for your news. This advice is not directed at the newsletters you're sending to direct buyers who landed on your list from an ad. More on those readers next week.

The key for authors making this work? These emails feel distinctly “them”—carrying their unique brand voice—while respecting their readers’ time with quick, punchy content that delivers a complete experience in under a minute.

Next week, I’ll share the exact framework formula I use to get there. But for now, I’m curious:

What’s the last newsletter YOU were genuinely excited to open? Hit reply and let me know—I read every response.

Happy emailing,

Holly

P.S. Another total side quest: Don't forget that Klaviyo For Authors is now in pre-order (saving you over $110). I've recorded the first two lessons and can't wait to keep building this really fun, really rewarding course. It's a whole different ball game over there. You don't have to go it alone.

Okay, now for my samples. The first email was one from my email bank. Pretty standard for me. But I've been taking a copywriting course and every week I get challenged to do it in less time. Ugh. So, this week, I'm sharing with you the results of one of my projects.

Hit reply to let me know what you're thinking.

Holly

First up, here's my original email:​
If you've been here a while, I'm bringing back an oldie but a goodie to my email repertoire.

If you're new here, get excited. I'm about to bore you with my lame adventures as a home owner/romance writer.

You see, I'm a single, 51-year-old woman with two teens, a dog, a cat and a guinea pig that just won't die. Don't come at me. She's 5 and was a present from the youngest's dad while we were still married and I mistakenly thought they had the lifespan of a hamster...but no. They do not and now I'm the main caregiver, as if I don't have enough to do already.

Over the past four years since I've been separated, I've had a lot of ups and downs in owning my own home as a single woman. Enough that I created a segment called Holly vs the House here inside my emails and thanks to what happened this morning, I'm bringing it back because I NEED to know I'm not alone in this.

Imagine this: I'm sitting on my super comfy couch, sipping hot chocolate.

Side note: WHY oh WHY does no one ever call it hot chocolate? Is this a Canadian thing? Why is it always referred to as hot cocoa like we've been transported back in time to the set of Days of Our Lives?

So, as I was saying, I was sipping hot chocolate since I'm off coffee - thank you menopause and your constant f'ing with my system so I can no longer drink coffee and not clutch my chest in agony all day - and suddenly there came a noise in my ceiling from the second floor like a battle royale was ensuing. I immediately thought the cat had captured something in my oldest daughter's room which was right above me and was attempting to murder it but when I raced upstairs, the cat was nowhere to be found and my heart dropped. That only meant one thing.

I had not one, but at least two mice in my house. Again.Ewwwwwwwww. Whyyyyyy???

Enraged because I thought I had won this battle the year before and we are in the middle of false spring, so weren't mice supposed to be off hibernating somewhere else at this point in the winter? I got out my trap stash - yup, got one of those - and realized all I had left were my Dollar Store mouse traps. Shit. They would have to do.

On a mission, I piled them up with peanut butter, marched them to the danger zone and stay tuned for the results in the next email.

Have I told you lately how much I hate being on my own when things are going to shit in my house? No? Well, I'll be checking in with you on that note every few emails, so get excited. And of course, commiserate.

Send me your stories. I may just be able to weave them into one of my upcoming short stories I'm working on for an upcoming release.

Next up, cover reveal at the end of this month. In the meantime, Give Me Your Reason is undergoing a cover renovation, but you can grab it here, FREE on all retailers, before it comes back in the summer with a new look and a new price. Which will be more than FREE LOL.

Happy Reading, Holly

PS I'm in a reading slump? Got a good book to rec? Hit reply. I'm desperate to avoid mousegate for a bit tonight.

​

Okay now, here's my under 150 word rewrite.

Holly vs. The House: The Mouse Invasion

So, hot chocolate in hand (yes, I refuse to call it "cocoa"), my peaceful morning was interrupted by ceiling chaos.

Again.

Racing upstairs expecting cat victory...only to find...no cat.

Just mice. MICE!

In MY house.

AGAIN.

False spring lies! Shouldn't these creatures be hibernating elsewhere?!

Armed with my dismal Dollar Store traps and some peanut butter, I launched my counter-attack. The battle results are coming in the next email...riveting. I know.

Anyone else fighting home disasters solo? Reply with your homeowner horror stories—I might feature them in an upcoming book!

Your HEADS UP Exclusive: Give Me Your Reason is FREE before the cover renovation and price increase relaunch next month!

Happy Reading, Holly

P.S. Mouse anxiety has me in a reading slump. Book recs desperately needed! Hit reply!