The last couple of years have seen HUGE changes for authors seeking to make a living selling their stories. TikTok, serialization, subscriptions, AI, and more reshaped how authors can write, publish and market their books, and how readers read and connect with authors. In such a dynamic environment, sticking to the same old strategies simply isn’t enough to stand out in a crowded market.

Whether you’re an indie author navigating the self-publishing world or a traditionally published writer looking to amplify your promotional efforts, this post will give you ideas on how to reach your readers in 2025.

How Marketing Has Changed

When I first started working online (late 1990’s), forums were about the only option available to engage with consumers. Beyond that, you had to pay for banner ads on other websites.

Then came email (before list services, I had a software to help me bulk mail email so it could be personalized and didn’t look like spam on the mail server!! — Goodness I’m old). Growing an email list with a freebie became the best way to keep the attention of your buyers. That and buying ads in other people’s email newsletters.

And then came blogging and social media, which gave consumers more ability to interact with brands. Now messages could flow two ways, instead of just one way; author to reader and reader to author.

Over the last year, those interactions have evolved even more so that fans are now a part of an author’s brand community. Now if you can reach and connect with your reader, you have an ally in getting the word out about your book.

So how do you take advantage of these changes in marketing? First, it’s important to note that not all marketing is equal. I sat on a conference panel discussing marketing, and most other authors started talking about email and social media, which are both great, but for the new author who has no readers, isn’t very helpful because author marketing isn’t a Field of Dreams. Just building them doesn’t mean people will come.

I believe authors need a two-fold marketing strategy. The first is how to get in front of readers who don’t know you. The second is building a relationship with the readers who do know you.

Stages of Marketing

Even 90-Day Fiancé knows that no one is going to commit on first sight. Selling books is not very different. A reader who has never heard of you isn’t likely to buy at first glance. Here is how I think about the reader journey to becoming a fan.

1. Outreach to Strangers: This is marketing to reach readers who don’t know anything about you. This can be ads to your books or lead magnet, but also guest spots on podcasts or blogs, Facebook Takeover Events, and other opportunities that put you in front of your reader market that hasn’t heard of you yet. Readers who don’t know you are less likely to buy your book, but they can still take an interest in you if you promote something that doesn’t cost them anything like your free lead magnet or social profiles they can follow (consider having something cool they can get with a social follow such as bonus content to make following you a benefit to them).
2. Awareness: Now the strangers are aware of you, but still don’t know you. Lucky that you have your email list and social media to help them learn about you. Think of this stage as a social gathering of like-minded acquaintances. If you were in person, you wouldn’t go up to them and say “Hey, buy my book” or “Hey look at my pictures of me working behind the scenes.” It’s not that you can’t ever do that, but remember, you want these people to like you and feel comfortable spending money on your book. To that end, email and post fun things they can engage with or respond to. Give a teaser and ask their feedback. Ask them their favorite tropes. This is a friendship building stage.
3. Reader: Now they’ve bought your book, and hopefully they love it. It’s time to bring them a little closer to you. This is a good time to create your reader group (Facebook, Discord, or other platform that has group discussions). In this stage, you want to work on moving readers from enjoying your book to being superfans. You do that by asking them to be beta readers or giving them some special perks like bonus content.
4. Super Fan Community: When I grew up, celebrity fan clubs were all the rage. Think of your reader fan community the same way. These readers love you and your books. They’ll tell anyone and everyone about you and your books. You cultivate them by making them feel special and a part of your success. These fans get more perks such as exclusives, merch, advanced access to books, discounts, private community, and more.

As I work on my 2025 marketing plan, I’m looking at ways to increase my outreach to new readers (stage 1), and move my readers to the super fan category (stage 3 to 4).

Here are some strategies I’m looking at to help me achieve that:

Outreach Marketing (Finding Readers Who Don’t Know You Yet)

I feel like this is the area that new writers struggle with the most and often don’t get the best information about. As I’ve mentioned, author advice focuses a lot on social media and email, neither of which work particularly well in terms of getting in front of people who don’t already know you.

Here are my tips for marketing outreach to get yourself in front of readers who haven’t yet heard of you:

Be Presentable

It’s possible you’ll be found by accident through Amazon or some other resource, and if that happens, you want readers to stop, and say, “What’s that?” To make that happen, you need a professional cover and intriguing title. Seriously. You’d be surprised at how much a great cover can turn no sales into mega sales.

After that, you need a great book description that taps into all the stuff the reader wants to read from the tropes, universal fantasy, and story idea.

It’s true that you have one chance to make a great first impression. Make sure any reader’s first impression of your book is one that makes them stop and want to learn more.

While you’re at it, it won’t hurt to have a website and your social profiles set up so if someone doesn’t buy your book, but they’re curious, they can find you elsewhere to learn about you or follow you. Like your book cover, your website and social profiles should look nice and be easy to navigate. 

Now that you have a great cover and enticing blurb…it’s time to get it out in the world. Here are some ideas:

Leveraging Influencer Partnerships

This is another area I want to focus on in 2025. I’ve already mentioned that Colleen Hoover and many other romance authors became successful over the last few years because of reader influencers on social media. In 2025, influencer partnerships remain a powerful way for romance authors to expand their reach and connect with readers. Collaborating with influencers—whether they’re Bookstagrammers, BookTubers, or BookTok creators—can help you tap into highly engaged communities of romance fans. Here’s how to make influencer partnerships work for your book marketing strategy.

Identify the Right Influencers

Choosing the right influencer is key to a successful partnership. Look for creators who align with your brand and target audience.

• Focus on Romance-Specific Influencers: Many influencers specialize in romance books and have a dedicated following of romance readers. Search for creators who frequently feature the sub-genres or tropes you write about (e.g., billionaire romance, second-chance love, or slow-burn stories).
• Engagement Matters More Than Follower Count: A micro-influencer with 5,000 highly engaged followers can have a bigger impact than a mega-influencer with 100,000 passive followers. Look for influencers who actively interact with their audience through comments, likes, and shares.

There are some tools, like Meet the BookTokers, that might be able help you narrow your search. Note I haven’t tried this yet, but it is on my “To Check Out” list.

Collaborate on Creative Content

Influencers are experts at creating engaging content. Work with them to highlight your book in a way that feels natural and authentic.

• Book Reviews and Recommendations: Provide influencers with ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) in exchange for honest reviews. Many influencers also include your book in themed lists, such as “Best Enemies-to-Lovers Books” or “Top Romance Reads of the Month.”
• Creative Posts and Videos: Encourage influencers to create content beyond reviews. For example:
  • TikTok videos dramatizing key moments or tropes in your book.
  • Instagram posts featuring your book in aesthetic flat lays or alongside thematic props.
  • YouTube “Reading Vlogs” where your book is part of their reading journey.

Host Collaborative Events

Interactive events with influencers can boost engagement and visibility.

• Live Q&A or Book Chats: Partner with influencers for a live chat on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Discuss your book, writing process, or favorite romance tropes.
• Giveaways: Team up for a giveaway where followers can win signed books, exclusive swag, or digital copies of your novel. Influencers can host the contest on their platform to maximize visibility.
• Read-Along Events: Organize a read-along where the influencer hosts discussions about your book chapter by chapter. This creates an ongoing conversation and keeps your book in readers’ minds.

Build Long-Term Relationships

Instead of one-off collaborations, aim to build lasting relationships with influencers who love your work.

• Become Their Go-To Author: When an influencer is genuinely a fan of your books, they’re more likely to organically promote your future releases.
• Exclusive Partnerships: Offer certain influencers early access to your books or involve them in special projects, such as beta reading or helping choose covers.
• Feature Them in Your Marketing: Highlight influencer content on your own platforms. Share their reviews, posts, or videos in your newsletter, on social media, or on your website.

Measure the Impact

Track the results of your influencer partnerships to see what works best.

• Engagement Metrics: Monitor likes, comments, shares, and video views on influencer content to gauge interest.
• Traffic and Sales: Use unique affiliate links, discount codes, or tracking URLs to measure how many readers are coming from each influencer’s posts.
• Reader Feedback: Pay attention to reviews or social media comments that mention seeing your book through an influencer—it’s a great indicator of success.

Tips for Successful Partnerships

• Be Clear and Authentic: Share your expectations upfront but give influencers creative freedom to showcase your book in their unique style. Authenticity resonates more with their followers.
• Respect Their Time and Effort: Influencers put a lot of work into creating content. Offer fair compensation, whether it’s payment, free books, or exclusive perks.
• Express Gratitude: A simple thank-you note or shoutout can go a long way in maintaining a positive relationship.

Newsletter Ads and/or Swaps

Newsletter ads and swaps are cost-effective and highly targeted strategies for reaching new readers, especially those who love romance. By leveraging the established audiences of other authors and book promotion services, you can grow your reader base and increase visibility for your books. Here’s how to use newsletter ads and swaps effectively:

What Are Newsletter Ads and Swaps?

• Newsletter Ads: Paid placements in established newsletters that recommend books to readers. These services allow you to target readers based on genre, sub-genre, or preferences. This is the best option if you’ve just started your newsletter and don’t have a lot of subscribers. For $10 to $20 you can get a featured post or mention in another author’s email. I’d recommend using this ad to promote your free lead magnet to help build your newsletter list.
• Newsletter Swaps: Collaborative promotions with other authors where you feature their books in your newsletter, and they feature yours in return. This strategy is free and fosters mutual growth. You’ll want to find authors with similar list size as yours. Someone with a 20,000 subscriber list size won’t want to swap with your 1,500 subscriber list.

Why They Work for Romance Authors

• Targeted Audience: Newsletter services and swaps allow you to reach readers already interested in romance, especially specific sub-genres or tropes.
• High Conversion Rates: Readers who subscribe to book recommendation newsletters are actively looking for their next read, making them more likely to purchase.
• Cost-Effective Marketing: Compared to other ad platforms, newsletter ads and swaps often deliver higher returns on investment.

Using Newsletter Ads

• Popular Services for Romance Authors:
  • BookBub: A premium option with a massive, engaged audience. Romance books often perform well, but ad slots can be competitive. Many authors have reported seeing their book career take off if they get a coveted BookBub ad.
  • Red Feather Romance: Over 270,000 romance readers subscribe to get book info from Red Feather Romance. It does ask that your book be rated at 3.5 stars or higher, have 50+ pages, and must pass editorial review.
  • The Fussy Librarian: Affordable and genre-specific, perfect for reaching romance readers.
  • WWH Members can check the Freebie area for a list of more book promotion resources. Not a member? You can join Write with Harte free here.
• Best Practices for Newsletter Ads:
  • Focus on Tropes: Highlight popular romance tropes or themes in your book. For example, “A sizzling enemies-to-lovers story with a grumpy billionaire!”
  • Strong Visuals: Use an eye-catching book cover and a short, compelling tagline to draw readers in.
  • Time Promotions Strategically: Schedule ads around a new release, sale, or series launch to maximize impact.
  • Track Performance: Use unique links (e.g., Bitly or UTM codes) to measure clicks and sales generated by the ad.

Newsletter Swaps

Newsletter swaps are an excellent way to cross-promote with other authors in your subgenre once you have subscribers.

• How to Find Partners:
  • Join author groups on Facebook or Discord, such as those dedicated to romance writers.
  • Use services like BookFunnel or StoryOrigin, which offer tools to find and coordinate swaps.
  • Bookclicker offers swaps and newsletter ads. You can join for free.
  • Bookfunnel  offers giveaways and swaps, and is a great place to host your lead magnet and direct book sales for delivery to reader.
• Best Practices for Swaps:
  • Align Audiences: Swap with authors who write similar sub-genres or share common tropes to ensure their readers are likely to enjoy your book.
  • Highlight Value: Craft a compelling blurb for the featured book in your newsletter and ask your swap partner to do the same for yours.
  • Be Reliable: Honor your swap commitments by promoting on the agreed-upon date and providing accurate links.

Tips for Success with Newsletter Ads and Swaps

• Test and Optimize: Experiment with different newsletter platforms, ad designs, and swaps to see what resonates most with readers.
• Start Small: If you’re new to newsletter marketing, start with affordable options like Fussy Librarian or smaller swaps to build experience.
• Bundle with Promotions: Combine newsletter ads or swaps with sales, giveaways, or the launch of a new book for maximum impact.
• Build Relationships: Newsletter swaps are also about community. Cultivating strong relationships with fellow authors can lead to future collaborations, anthologies, or cross-promotional opportunities.

Using Paid Ads to Find New Readers

Paid advertising is one of the fast ways to build your email list and boost sales from readers who might not have discovered you otherwise. But done wrong, it can be a waste of money. Here’s how to leverage paid ads to attract new readers:

Why Use Paid Ads?

• Targeted Reach: Paid ads allow you to zero in on specific audiences, such as readers who love your genre, favorite tropes, or similar authors.
• Scalability: You can start with a small budget and increase spending as you see results.
• Consistent Visibility: Ads keep your book in front of potential readers, even when organic reach is limited.
• Data Insights: Advertising platforms provide detailed analytics, helping you understand what works and what doesn’t.

Top Platforms for Paid Ads

1. Amazon Advertising
   • How It Works: Amazon Ads promote your book directly on Amazon, where readers are already looking to buy books. Ads appear in search results, on product pages, and in carousels like “Sponsored Products.”
   • Targeting Options:
     • Keywords: Target search terms like “enemies-to-lovers romance” or “billionaire romance books.”
     • Products: Advertise on the pages of similar or complementary books.
     • Categories: Target readers browsing specific genres or sub-genres.
   • Best Practices:
     • Use a professional book cover and compelling copy to attract clicks.
     • Start with a low daily budget and adjust based on performance.
     • Monitor your ad spend and ROI regularly to optimize campaigns.
2. Facebook and Instagram Ads
   • How It Works: Facebook Ads Manager allows you to create campaigns for both Facebook and Instagram, using advanced targeting options to reach readers.
   • Targeting Options:
     • Interests: Target readers who like “romance novels,” specific authors (e.g., Colleen Hoover), or tropes (e.g., “slow burn romance”).
     • Demographics: Narrow down by age, gender, or location if your book appeals to specific groups.
   • Ad Formats:
     • Image Ads: Feature your book cover with a short, compelling caption.
     • Video Ads: Use short trailers or animations to catch attention.
     • Carousel Ads: Highlight multiple books in a series or show off different features of the same book.
   • Best Practices:
     • Test different images and headlines to see what performs best. I can’t tell you how important testing is!
     • Use clear calls to action (e.g., “Get your copy now!” or “Fall in love with this story today!”).
     • Monitor engagement metrics to refine targeting and ad creatives.
3. BookBub Ads
   • How It Works: BookBub Ads appear on the BookBub platform and in readers’ emails, targeting a highly engaged audience of book lovers.
   • Targeting Options:
     • Target readers who follow specific authors.
     • Choose by genre or geographic location.
   • Best Practices:
     • Use BookBub’s CPM (cost per thousand impressions) model strategically to stay within budget.
     • Run ads alongside book promotions like price drops or free giveaways to increase clicks.
     • A/B test different creatives to identify the most effective design and copy.
   •  

Best Practices for Paid Ads

• Invest in Professional Creatives: Use high-quality images of your book cover, engaging videos, or professionally designed graphics.
• Write Compelling Copy: Craft headlines and descriptions that emphasize your book’s unique selling points, such as the tropes, tension, or emotional payoff.
• Start Small and Test: Begin with a modest budget and test different ad creatives, audiences, and platforms to see what resonates.
• Focus on Metrics That Matter: Monitor clicks, conversions, and cost per click (CPC) to gauge success. Adjust underperforming campaigns quickly.
• Combine Ads with Sales or Promotions: Paid ads are especially effective when paired with a limited-time offer, such as a discounted eBook or a free book for newsletter signups.

When to Use Paid Ads

• Launching a New Book: Generate excitement and visibility for your latest release.
• Promoting a Series: Run ads for the first book in a series to hook readers who’ll then continue with the sequels.
• Boosting Discoverability: Reach readers who haven’t heard of you by targeting similar authors, genres, or keywords. Ideally, promote your lead magnet, which won’t make you money, but it will get the reader on your email list so you can woo them to become a buyer and a fan.

From Stranger to Reader to Fan (Building Relationships with Readers)

Many of the ideas used above in the outreach marketing stage can still be used once you have readers. But beyond outreach, you want to cultivate a relationship with readers, making them fans. Here are ideas on how to do that.

Emerging Social Media Trends

Social media is a cornerstone of book marketing, and in 2025, staying on top of platform trends can give romance authors a competitive edge. With short-form videos dominating content consumption, niche platforms gaining traction, and interactive engagement becoming a must, here’s how to harness these trends for your romance books.

Social media works best with stage 2 and beyond readers, except TikTok, whose algorithm can get you in front of new readers who’ve never heard of you.

Short-Form Video

Short-form video continues to be the most engaging content format, making platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts essential for book promotion.

• Leverage TikTok and BookTok: Colleen Hoover doesn’t exist as a megastar author without TikTok readers. That’s the power of the platform. Of course, we’ll need to see if the platform is banned in the U.S. in January 2025. If so, those reader influencers will be moving somewhere, so it pays to understand how TikTok helps authors. The hashtag #BookTok drives countless viral book recommendations. Romance-specific trends—like showcasing steamy scenes (although be careful as TikTok might limit views), character aesthetics, or “books that broke me” lists—can help your book reach a devoted audience. Jump on trending sounds or create challenges tied to popular romance tropes (e.g., enemies-to-lovers or grumpy/sunshine pairings) to increase visibility. Kate Hall as a really good course on using TikTok to promote your book. If the platform is banned, I suspect some of her tips will still be good for other short-form video.
• Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts: Use these platforms to share behind-the-scenes content, like your writing process, cover reveals, or mini-readings of emotionally charged scenes. These bite-sized videos are perfect for teasing the tension or chemistry between your characters, leaving viewers eager to read more. Note that YouTube has a program where it pays creators when they reach a certain threshold. I don’t know how well Shorts do in terms of generating income, but any tiny amount simply for doing videos about your books is good, right?

Interactive Engagement

Engagement is key to building a loyal reader base, and social media tools make it easier than ever to foster two-way conversations with readers who are now aware of you, but perhaps don’t know you very well (stage 2).

• Polls and Q&A Sessions: Use Instagram Stories, Facebook Polls, or TikTok polls to ask fun questions like “Which romance trope do you love most?” or “Who’s your favorite book boyfriend?” Host live Q&A sessions to chat with readers about your characters, writing process, or upcoming releases.
• Challenges: Create or participate in challenges that tie into your book’s themes. For example, if your novel features a single-dad trope, start a “Best Single Dad Heroes” challenge and encourage readers to share their favorites—your book included, of course.

Mastering Email Marketing

List building is one of those things that many new authors put off to their detriment. I get it. It takes time to set up, time to email, and potentially cost money. But in terms of effectiveness in growing your reader following and selling books, an author email list out does social media and blogging.

For romance authors, email marketing offers a direct, distraction-free way to reach your audience, nurture relationships, and drive book sales. Here’s how to elevate your email game this year.

Hyper-Segmentation: Know Your Readers Better

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all newsletters. Hyper-segmentation allows you to tailor your content to specific groups within your readership.

• Segment by Sub-Genre or Trope: If you write across multiple romance sub-genres (e.g., billionaire romance, friends-to-lovers, single dad stories), segment your list so readers only receive updates about the tropes they love most.
• Use Tags and Triggers: Most email platforms like Aweber or Mailer Lite let you tag readers based on their preferences, such as whether they joined through a specific giveaway, downloaded a free book, or clicked on a link in your emails. This helps with segmenting your list, but also can help you track your effective marketing strategies. For example, does your Facebook add to your lead magnet generate more sign ups or your TikTok videos?

Interactive Email Features: Engage, Don’t Just Inform

In 2025, readers expect more than just words in their inbox—they want dynamic, interactive experiences.

• Embed GIFs and Images: Include GIFs or images of your book covers, mood boards, or teaser quotes to make your emails visually engaging.
• Add Polls and Surveys: Use tools like Google Forms or embedded surveys to ask readers about their favorite tropes, characters, or what they’d love to see next from you. Or at the very least, ask a question. You’ll be surprised how many people hit reply to answer you.
• Clickable Content: Link to bonus content, trailers, or exclusive scenes hosted on your website. For example, a link to “Read a deleted scene from my latest book” is a great way to keep readers engaged.

Integration with Other Platforms: Streamline Your Strategy

Modern email marketing tools can integrate seamlessly with other platforms, creating a smooth, connected marketing funnel.

• Sync with Book Distribution Tools: Services like BookFunnel or StoryOrigin can be linked to your email list, allowing you to offer free downloads and grow your audience effortlessly.
• Track Reader Behavior: Use analytics to see who clicks on your links, downloads your bonus materials, or engages with your offers. This data helps you refine future campaigns.
• Link to Social Media: Promote your TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, or live Q&A sessions in your emails to direct your subscribers to where you’re most active.

Automation: Save Time While Staying Personal

Automating your emails doesn’t mean sacrificing personalization—it means delivering timely, relevant messages without lifting a finger.

• Welcome Sequences: Greet new subscribers with a warm welcome email, followed by a series introducing your books, characters, and any freebies you offer.
• Birthday or Anniversary Emails: Use automation to send special messages on a reader’s birthday or the anniversary of when they joined your list. A small gesture, like a free short story or discount code, can make a big impact.
• Pre-Launch Campaigns: Automate emails leading up to a book release, teasing covers, blurbs, and excerpts to build anticipation.

Consistency is Key

Your readers signed up for your emails because they love your work or at the very least want to know more about you. This a crucial fact you need to understand. Someone who gives you their email is raising their hand and saying, “Tell me more about you.” Yes, maybe they do it for the free book more, but you have the opportunity to turn them into someone who’s grabbed a free book into a fan.

I email weekly, and I treat it like coffee time with my reader friends. I’m conversational, sharing some personal stuff, but mostly around bookish or romantic themes.

• Stick to a Schedule: Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, choose a schedule that works for you and your readers.
• Provide Value: Include more than just promotions. Share writing tips, behind-the-scenes looks at your process, or recommendations for other romance books you love.

Here is a list of ideas on what to email your list.

Build a Community

In 2025, successful book marketing isn’t just about selling books—it’s about building relationships. Romance readers are among the most loyal fans in the world, and fostering a strong, engaged community can turn readers into lifelong supporters of your work.

This is an area that I’m hyper-focused on. Yes, you need to market to find new readers, but once you have them, you need to stay connected. Sure, social media and email help with that, but building a community creates a two-way relationship with your fans. To that end, I’m building my reader community on my website and will be pointing many of my promo links (like back of the book links) to the special fan membership area of my website.

Create Exclusive Reader Groups

• Private Online Spaces: Platforms like Facebook Groups and Discord allow you to create a space where readers can engage with you and each other. I run my site using WordPress, so I’m using Ultimate Member‘s free version for content restriction.  I’m using WP Discuz commenting system, which not only makes a threaded discussion at the end of post/pages, but also allos for comments within the post. It allows me and readers to discuss specific sections of the bonus content I post. In this area, I plan to offer exclusive content, like sneak peeks of current works or next release, bonus content (e.g. extended epilogue or scenes writting in alternative POV), cover reveals, or polls.
• Tips for Engagement:
  • Host weekly themed discussions (e.g., “Trope Tuesday” or “WIP Wednesday”).
  • Share personal stories or fun anecdotes about your writing process.
  • Encourage readers to share fan art, favorite quotes, or their book reviews.

By fostering this sense of exclusivity and community, readers feel like they’re part of your journey—and they’ll champion your books to others.

Run Reader-Centric Events

Events, both virtual and in-person, help deepen relationships with your audience.

• Virtual Events: Host live book readings, Q&A sessions, or “author hangouts” on Instagram Live, Zoom, or YouTube Live. Tailor these events for your audience—romance readers love insider looks into your creative process or behind-the-scenes moments.
• In-Person Events: Organize meet-and-greets at book signings, romance conventions, or local bookstores. Pair these events with giveaways, like bookmarks or signed copies, to leave a lasting impression.

Reward Your Fans

Loyal readers love feeling appreciated, and small rewards go a long way in building lasting connections.

• Exclusive Content: Offer bonus scenes, alternate endings, or character backstories to newsletter subscribers or reader group members.
• Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs): Give early access to trusted fans and encourage honest reviews ahead of release day.
• Reader Giveaways: Host giveaways for signed books, romance swag, or digital gift cards. Tie these contests to fun engagement tasks, like sharing a favorite book quote or tagging a friend who would love your book.

Feature and Celebrate Your Readers

Readers love being acknowledged by their favorite authors. Use your platforms to celebrate them:

• Share Fan Content: Highlight fan art, book reviews, or reader photos on your social media. This not only shows appreciation but encourages others to create and share their own.
• Name a Character After a Reader: Hold a contest where a reader’s name inspires a future character or dedication.

Keep the Conversation Going

The most successful communities thrive on ongoing, authentic conversation. Don’t just post and disappear—show up regularly, reply to comments, and have fun interacting with your readers. Ask questions like:

• “What’s your all-time favorite romance trope?”
• “Who’s your ultimate book boyfriend?”
• “Which of my books would you love to see as a movie?”

Interactive Reader Engagement

Especially if you want to build a community, offering interactive reader engagement is the way to go. Today’s romance readers crave connection and participation. Interactive engagement goes beyond simply sharing your work—it invites readers to become part of your world. By creating opportunities for readers to interact with you, your characters, and each other, you can foster loyalty, spark conversations, and keep your books top of mind. Here’s how to make interactive reader engagement a central part of your book marketing strategy.

Host Live Events

Virtual and live-streamed events are fantastic ways to connect directly with your audience.

• Virtual Book Readings: Share excerpts of your latest book or upcoming release on Instagram Live, YouTube Live, or Facebook. Add a Q&A session to make it interactive—answer questions about your writing process, characters, or future plans.
• Exclusive Launch Parties: Host a virtual party for your book releases. Include giveaways, games, and a chance for fans to chat with you about your inspiration for the story. You can set this up through social media, or tools like Zoom.

Engage Readers Through Social Media Polls and Games

Social media is an ideal platform for interactive content, allowing you to reach readers where they already spend their time.

• Polls and Quizzes: Use Instagram Stories, Twitter, or TikTok polls to engage readers. Ask questions like, “Which romance trope do you love most?” or “Which of my characters would you want to date?” You can also create fun quizzes, such as “Which Heroine Are You?” or “What’s Your Ideal Romance Setting?”
• Challenges and Contests: Create a hashtag challenge for readers to share their favorite book moments, cosplay as your characters, or write a mini-review. Offer small prizes, like signed copies or exclusive content, to participants.
• Interactive Stories: On platforms like TikTok or Instagram, post short story snippets and let readers vote on what happens next. This can be a fun, low-stakes way to engage your audience and get them involved in storytelling.

Build a Community Space for Your Readers

We covered this in the community building section, but it’s worth saying again.

• Fan Groups on Facebook or Discord or your own website: Set up a group where readers can share their favorite quotes, discuss your books, or speculate about future plot twists. Jump in occasionally to answer questions, drop teasers, or join discussions.
• Reader Beta Teams: Invite your most loyal fans to join a beta reader or ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) team. They’ll feel special having early access to your work and can help generate buzz before your release.

Incorporate Gamification

Gamification adds a fun and competitive element to your marketing efforts. Depending on how you’ve built your website, you can add gamification to where readers can earn points for visiting the site, leaving a comment, and more.

• Scavenger Hunts: Create a scavenger hunt tied to your books, with clues hidden on your website, in your emails, and on your social media. The winner could receive signed copies, exclusive merch, or a character named after them.
• Book Bingo: Design a bingo card featuring romance tropes, book moments, or character traits from your stories. Encourage readers to share their completed cards online.
• Fan Leaderboards: Reward your most active fans by featuring them on a leaderboard for sharing posts, submitting reviews, or participating in events.

Show Appreciation and Acknowledge Fans

Making readers feel seen and appreciated deepens their connection to you and your books.

• Highlight Reader Content: Share fan art, reviews, or photos of readers with your books on your social media or in your newsletter.
• Feature Fans in Your Books: Host a contest to name a character after a fan or dedicate a book to a loyal reader.
• Thank You Notes: Send personalized thank-you messages to readers who write reviews or share your books online. A small gesture like this can make a big impact.

Encourage Readers to Be Ambassadors

Interactive engagement naturally leads to word-of-mouth marketing.

• Street Teams: Assemble a group of fans who help promote your books online in exchange for sneak peeks, swag, or exclusive interactions.
• Referral Programs: Offer perks like free short stories or discounts to readers who refer friends to your newsletter or book launches.

The Power of Serialized Content

While Amazon has decided to abandon Vella, serialized content is still popular among readers, especially romance readers. By releasing stories in smaller, episodic chunks, you can keep your audience eagerly coming back for more while reaching readers on platforms they already love (outreach stage 1!). Here’s how to harness the power of serialization for your romance writing.

Why Serialization Works for Romance

Romance readers thrive on emotional connection, tension, and anticipation—all of which are perfectly suited to serialized storytelling.

• Cliffhangers Create Buzz: Ending each installment with a tantalizing cliffhanger or unresolved moment ensures readers are hooked and excited for the next release.
• Bingeable Format: Readers can dive into shorter episodes when they’re busy or binge multiple installments when they have time, making serialized content accessible and addictive.
• Loyal Reader Base: Serialization fosters an ongoing relationship with your audience, encouraging them to follow your work over time rather than consuming it all at once.

Best Platforms for Serialized Romance

You’ll want to read the terms on each of these platforms carefully, especially if you want to post across multiple platforms. Watch for the types of “rights” these platforms want and for how long. You should be able to remove your content fairly easily if you change or mind, or decide to repurpose your content into a book for Kindle Unlimited (which requires exclusivity). If you plan to publish your serialized content into a book with wide distribution, this should be okay, but again, check the TOS of each platform.

• Radish Fiction: A platform built for serialized storytelling, especially romance. Radish offers a large audience of romance readers and provides monetization options. Authors on Radish earn money through a “coin” system where they can earn a portion of the coin revenue paid by readers. Authors are paid quarterly when authors earn a payment threshold of $50.  Unlike other platforms, Radish vets writers, so you’ll need to apply and get approved as a serial writer before you can start publishing.
• Kiss App: Like Radish, Kiss shares revenue from readers with writers, has tons of romance stories, and vets writers. Recently, it started offering video-stories and I’ve heard some authors do very well financially with this.
• Royal Road: Royal Road’s content is largely fantasy and science fiction, but there is romance within those genres (e.g. romantasy). Readers read for free, but can give you donations. There is an option for readers to pay for add removal, but that goes to Royal Road and isn’t shared with writers. This option is good for stage 1, working to get in front of new readers to build your reader base.
• Wattpad: Was the early platform for serializing content, and helped make successful authors such as Anna Todd. You join free and start posting your content, which can help you get in front of readers who don’t know you (stage 1). Wattpad now has a variety of programs that could result in earning income, including Wattpad Originals which works like the above apps in which readers pay to unlock chapters.

Serializing Platforms for More Control

These options allow you more control over your content and on occasion income.

• Substack: For authors who want more control, Substack allows you to deliver serialized stories directly to your subscribers’ inboxes, with the option of free or paid subscriptions. In the past, I heard it was difficult to get in front of new readers through the platform, so I’m not sure how good it is for outreach to new people. But it appears to have options to search content. Plus, there are “magazines” on Substack that you can apply to write for that could help you reach more readers as well.
• Medium: Is more of a blogging platform, but you can offer your work for free or put behind a paywall. However, to make money, you have to join Medium’s partner program and are paid from the large pot of subscriptions it earns.

Serializing Platforms for Ultimate Control

These options give you greater control in what you charge and offer as part of your serialized program. Plus they have engagement options such as the ability for readers to comment. These operate more as a subscription program than pay as you go.

• Ream Stories: This is the Patreon for authors. You can serialize content, as well as offer bonus content, exclusives, audio, and more. There was a bit of a hub-bub when two of the founders (one a successful serial/subscription romance author) ousted the founder who was the face of the company. Many didn’t like how it went down and left the platform. That said, the platform is fairly easy to navigate, allows you to set your prices and what you plan to offer, and because it’s got a lot of spicy romance authors, you’ll not likely be booted off for explicit content, as you might with other platforms. It’s ideal for running a reader community. There are opportunities for discovery (outreach), through being featured, browsing, or search.
• Patreon: Over the last couple of years, many romance authors utilized Patreon to offer serialized and bonus content, and to make more money. While some have left going to Ream Stories or building a subscription on their own website, it’s still a place to consider. Just read the Terms as highly spicy content may be banned.
• Your Own Website: This is what I’m moving to using a membership plugin on my WordPress website. System.io, Shopify, Squarespace, and other website builders offer tools or addons that would allow you to create a space for serialized content, as well as the ability to charge for it if you want. You should check out terms of service if you offer highly erotic content, but beyond that, these options allow you to design exactly what you want for your serialized program.

Tips for Successful Serialized Stories

• Keep chapters to 2,000 words or less: Most I’ve read are in the 1,500 word range. This makes it easy for readers to consume on the go. Plus, you can keep your prose tight and exciting, leading readers to want more.
• End Each Episode Strong: Leave readers with questions, unresolved romantic tension, or a dramatic revelation to keep them eagerly awaiting the next episode.
• Keep Installments Consistent: Aim for a regular release schedule—whether that’s weekly or bi-weekly—so readers know when to expect the next chapter.
• Create Memorable Characters: Serialization gives you the opportunity to develop characters gradually. Make your protagonists complex, relatable, and memorable, so readers fall in love with them over time.
• Tie into Full-Length Books: Use serialized stories as a gateway to your novels. For example, write a prequel series that introduces a beloved character’s backstory, encouraging readers to dive into your full-length books for more.

Benefits Beyond Reader Engagement

Serialized content doesn’t just build an audience—it can also generate income and visibility.

• Monetization Opportunities: Platforms like Radish offer direct revenue streams, while serialized newsletters on Substack can bring in subscription income.
• Marketing Synergy: Serialized stories act as a natural marketing tool. Each new release reminds your readers of your work, keeping your name top of mind.
• Increased Discoverability: Many platforms promote serialized content, helping you reach new readers who might not have discovered your books otherwise.

Serialization Ideas for Romance Authors

• Trope-Centric Stories: Write short, trope-heavy episodes like “enemies to lovers in the workplace” or “forbidden love with the single dad next door.”
• Character Spin-Offs: Create serialized stories about secondary characters from your novels, giving fans more of the world they already love.
• Interactive Storytelling: Engage readers by letting them vote on plot decisions or choose between alternate romantic interests.

In Conclusion…

As you can see, there are many opportunities and ideas to reach readers and sell your books. Most of them are focused on ways to engage with readers and building a community with them. I get really excited about these opportunities until I consider how much work goes into them. New platforms to navigate. Extra content to create. Reaching readers in the first place.

The trick is to learn as much as you can about your reader, not just the demographics, but how they consume romance (ebook? audio?), where they go to learn about romance books (podcasts? Facebook?), and the types of messages that entice them to click to learn more about a book (video? emoji-filled post?).

Also, start small. I want to do all the things, but know I can’t. Right now, I’m pretty solid with my emailing, but I need to beef up swaps and giveaways (I use Bookfunnel). I’m also focused on building a place for my community to hang out on my website, and adding new bonus content for them.

But in starting a new pen name, my focus is more on setting up my email and buying adds in author newsletters to promote my lead magnet. I might run ads too. I’m also considering a serial platform, like Radish.

So pick one thing, get it going, and then add the next.

Just remember that you want to have both outreach marketing (stage 1) to readers who don’t know you, as well as relationship marketing (stages 2-4) to keep readers who’ve heard of from forgetting you.