Email marketing is one of the most powerful tools for authors, helping you build direct connections with readers, promote book launches, and create loyal fans. Unlike social media, where algorithms control your reach, email puts you in control—allowing you to engage your audience on your terms.
Choosing the right email service provider (ESP) can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—we’ve compiled a list of the best options specifically for authors. Whether you’re a first-time self-publisher, a fiction writer with multiple series, or a nonfiction expert selling courses alongside books, there’s an email platform that fits your needs.
I always start with the assumption that authors do not have a reader magnet, so I pulled a list of all the services that integrate with BookFunnel. A BookFunnel account is basically my best practice recommendation for reader magnet giveaway, ARC distribution, and initial email list growth. If you have to pay for one thing as you’re starting your author/publishing career, I would say pay for BookFunnel (and I say that as a website expert who adamantly wants every single author to have their own website!). In fact, I stan BookFunnel so much, I just published a whole in-depth article about how BookFunnel should be the first money you spend as an indie author. Seriously!
Below, you’ll find the best email marketing platforms for authors, along with a quick breakdown of their features, pricing, and what I think makes each one stand out, along with the action I think you should take today to see if that provider is right for you (don’t worry, I’m not asking you to spend any money today). Note: I did not include MailChimp on this list, and here is why.
1. MailerLite – MailerLite is my # 1 recommendation for you. It is a simple, affordable, and feature-packed email marketing tool that’s perfect for authors, and I say that even after revisiting all of them, every single year for this article. It offers automation, landing pages, and a bunch of other cool stuff you don’t even know you need yet, making it great for both beginners and experienced marketers. MailerLite is the service I use the most (and the only one I actually pay for!). MailerLite integrates seamlessly with BookFunnel (which is something you really do need from the very beginning), and honestly, I find their interface the simplest and most user-friendly to work with. I know ease of use is really important to authors (because many of you are not tech-savvy, and I get that!), so MailerLite is my # 1 recommendation for you.
- Why? Affordable, easy-to-use, excellent automation, and great for newsletters.
- Key Features: Free plan (1,000 subscribers), automation, landing pages, A/B testing.
- Ideal For: Authors growing a list, sending automated sequences (e.g., your welcome email and that onboarding sequence I keep talking about).
- Pricing: Free for 1,000 subs, then starts at $10/month. What I like most about them is that they don’t gatekeep their features and functionalities behind any kind of paywall. Free account holders can use (and get familiar with) all of the features until it exceeds 1,000 subscribers, which is honestly just amazing for author education. I’m always hyping up free tools that can help authors learn about business and grow their lists in the process, and I think Mailerlite is the best for that.
- What to do right now: Sign up for a free account and look around to see if you like it.
2. Kit (formerly ConvertKit) –Best Overall for Authors
ConvertKit is built specifically for creators, including authors, making it an excellent choice for book marketing. It provides powerful automation, seamless reader segmentation, and integrations with book-related tools like BookFunnel and Patreon.
- Why? Built for creators, powerful tagging & automation for reader segmentation.
- Key Features: Free account goes to 10,000 subscribers, paid tiers include automation & advanced sequences.
- Ideal For: Fiction & non-fiction authors who want segmented marketing (e.g., genre-specific readers).
- Pricing: Starts at $9/ month
3. EmailOctopus – Best Budget Option
- Why? Cheapest paid email marketing tool with all essential features.
- Key Features: Simple automation, segmentation, and a free plan up to 2,500 subscribers.
- Ideal For: Indie authors looking for a low-cost email platform.
- Pricing: Free up to 2,500 subs, then $8/month.
4. AWeber – Great for Beginners
- Why? Simple and beginner-friendly, good for authors who are new to email marketing.
- Key Features: Drag-and-drop email builder, autoresponders, RSS-to-email for blogs.
- Ideal For: Authors new to email marketing or who have a blog/newsletter.
- Pricing: Free up to 500 subs, paid starts at $12.50/month.
5. GetResponse – Best for Selling Directly to Readers, Great for Authors with No Website at All
- Why? Includes funnels, automation, and eCommerce integrations.
- Key Features: Landing pages, webinar hosting, eCommerce (sell books directly).
- Ideal For: Authors wanting to sell direct from email
- Pricing: Free up to 500 subs, paid starts at $15/month.
Email Service Provider (for Authors) Comparison Table
| ESP | Best For | Free Plan? | Automation | Segmentation | Landing Pages | Pricing (Paid Starts At) | Ecommerce/Selling | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConvertKit | Best overall, tagging | ✅ (10,000 subs) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $9/month | ✅ |
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| MailerLite | Best interface, easy automation | ✅ (1,000 subs) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $10/month | ✅ |
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| EmailOctopus | Budget-friendly, simple emails | ✅ (2,500 subs) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | $8/month | ❌ |
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| GetResponse | Selling books direct | ✅ (500 subs) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $15/month | ✅ |
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| AWeber | Beginner-friendly | ✅ (500 subs) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $12.50/month | ✅ |
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