How to Start Your Newsletter (+ Book Recs)
A newsletter about writing, art and living more creatively
Hi friends!
I posted an IG story survey about what people wanted to learn via Notes from Eva. One topic was: how to create your own newsletter! So here we are. It's all very meta. And, hopefully, you can get some inspiration for your own project!
For starters, there are a few platforms you can create a newsletter on. I'm on Mailchimp right now so I gotta give them a shout-out. I'm on the free plan which was some restrictions but I've found it easy to use. Other platforms include:
Then, you've got to think of what type of newsletter you want to create. What's the theme? How often do you want to send out? What are some colors you associate with your brand or the theme? Who will it get sent to? Who do you imagine will want to sign up? These are just a few questions you can ask yourself to get started.
There's a really cool opportunity out there right now, too, for people interested in newsletters who are also writers. Check out the Joel Gay Creative Fellowships. Applications are due Feb 10. (Substack also announced this food writers program, with applications opening Feb 4 - thank you for sharing, Ashley!)
GIF by Anna Buckley/HG
A newsletter can be a great place to:
Share updates about your work
Deepen your expertise within a specific niche
Share links to things you love (YouTube vids, articles, books, playlists)
Explore an interest (like, say, Tori Telfer's past newsletter on her writing, and her interest in female grifters)
Spread the word about your e-commerce business, new product launches, e-course offerings, podcast episodes, etc
I think the key is to not over-email. Consistently is also great — you can tell people when to expect the newsletter (every second tuesday, every thursday, etc). But, life happens. You can always change your mind. Or, you could even resolve to send a newsletter only when there's big news to share. Maybe once a quarter!
Be authentic. Share things you're genuinely excited or curious about. People will totally get that energy, even through a newsletter.
Here are some the newsletters I'm personally subscribed to, both from people I know and love and from people I've never met before:
Writing
Artists/Art
Career/Work
Creative/Lifestyle/etc
Hope that helps to get you started!
What else do you want to hear about in 2022? How can I make this newsletter more helpful? Hit REPLY and let me know.
In my own work:
I interview the founders of South African brand Mo's Crib.
Your favorite small but feisty writer,
Eva
Banner design by Ludi Leiva ✨
Need a reading rec? Want to support this newsletter?
Check out this subscribers-only reading list.
I was inspired to make a list of books that are page-turners.
I hope they can be a respite from everything going on, and that they make you laugh or inspire you.
*This is an affiliate Bookshop list; proceeds help me continue providing FREE content via this newsletter!
Opportunities of the Month
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
Emergency Grant (U.S. artists)
Rolling deadline
More info here
Variable West
Editorial Apprenticeship Program
(for art writers)
Applications due Feb 6
More info here
2022 Jeanne Córdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction
Applications due Feb 15
More info here
Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program
(for visual artists)
Applications due Feb 15
More info here
J. Michael Samuel Prize for emerging LGBTQ writers
over the age of 50
Applications due Feb 15
More info here
Roman J. Witt Residency
(artists/designers)
Proposals due Feb 20
More info here
Sustainable Arts Foundation Writing Awards
(for artist and writer parents w/kids under 18)
Applications due Feb 25
More info here
Red Hen Press Women's Prose Prize
Applications due Feb 28
More info here
Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA)
2020 Self-Publishing Literary Award
Applications due Feb 28
More info here
Little Tokyo Short Story Contest
Submissions due Feb 28
More info here
Millay Arts Residencies
(visual arts, screenwriting, etc)
Applications due March 1
More info here
Alabama State Council on the Arts
Literary Fellowships
Applications due March 1
More info here
Creative Capital Wild Futures Grant
Applications due April 1
(live starting March 1)
More info here
Voices of the Wilderness
Artist in Residence Program
Applications due March 1
More info here
National Endowment for the Arts
Creative Writing Fellowships - Poetry
Applications due March 10
More info here
Colorado Review
Nelligan Prize for Short Fiction
Submissions due March 14
More info here
University of Notre Dame
Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize
(for Latinx poets)
Applications due March 15
More info here
New Voices Fellowship
(emerging TV and screenwriters)
Applications due April 30
More info here