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Email marketing for authors exists for one reason: launch week. Retailers own your buyers, social platforms throttle your posts, and the only asset that reaches readers on the day a book goes live is the list. The tool needs to deliver a reader magnet automatically and hold the list cheaply between books, which is often years. systeme.io holds 2,000 readers free with unlimited sends; Kit holds 10,000 free without automations.
- 1Our pick
systeme.io
Free, then $17/mo
Best for: delivering a reader magnet, running a launch sequence, and selling direct
The catch: no ebook delivery tooling like BookFunnel
Try systeme.io free - 2
Kit
Free to 10,000 subscribers
Best for: authors with a big list and infrequent sends
The catch: automations need the $33 plan
- 3
MailerLite
Free to 250, then from $12/mo
Best for: a simple author newsletter
The catch: 250 subscribers on free
- 4
BookFunnel
Not verified today
Best for: delivering ebooks to any device and running group promos
The catch: delivery only; pair with an email tool
Prices and free-plan limits checked September 17, 2026 on each vendor's pricing page.
What to send
- The reader magnet. A prequel, a deleted chapter, a short story in the same world. Delivered automatically when someone subscribes.
- The between-books letter. What you are writing, what you are reading, and one thing that is not about books. Monthly or when you have something to say.
- The launch sequence. Cover reveal, preorder, launch day, and a reminder a week later for the people who missed it.
- The ask. Reviews, early reader sign-ups, and recommendations to friends. Two or three times a year.
A first sequence
Day 0: deliver the reader magnet with a one-line thank you. Day 3: how the series or the book came about. Day 7: your other titles with retailer links. Day 14: an invitation to reply and tell you what they like reading. Replies teach you what to write next and improve deliverability.
What it costs as the list grows
Authors with 4,000 readers and one book a year pay $17 a month on systeme.io or nothing on Kit if they never automate. If you sell signed copies or box sets direct, the systeme.io checkout at 0% pays for itself in one launch.
Free plan, no card. Affiliate link; we earn a commission on paid plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best email tool for authors?
systeme.io for automated reader magnets and direct sales, free to 2,000 readers. Kit for a large list emailed occasionally.
How do I deliver an ebook to subscribers?
Attach the file to the delivery email or host it on a download page. BookFunnel handles device-specific delivery if that matters.
How often should authors email readers?
Monthly keeps the list warm. Silence between books is the most common reason launches underperform.
Can I sell books directly to my list?
Yes. A checkout on your own site keeps the margin retailers take. systeme.io charges no platform fee.
Related: free author website templates, web design for authors.