Written Word Media for Indie Authors

A comprehensive guide for indie authors on using Written Word Media’s services—newsletter features, ad campaigns, and more—to drive book discovery and sales.

Updated on July 01, 2025 by Randall Wood

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Written Word Media for Indie Authors: A Deep Dive into A Versatile Book Promotion Powerhouse

Crafting a successful career as an indie author requires more than just writing books—it demands strategic marketing that puts titles in front of ideal readers at the moments that matter. One of the most consistent, reliable tools in the indie marketing toolkit is Written Word Media, a platform founded with the mission of connecting authors to enthusiastic readers. Known for its genre-specific email blasts and powerful ad services, Written Word Media has emerged as an essential partner for authors looking to grow readership, revive backlists, and diversify their promotional calendars.


Origins & Leadership: From a Single Deal to a Suite of Services

Written Word Media launched in 2013 when Harvard MBA grad Ricci Wolman and her father, software expert David Wolman, teamed up to create Freebooksy, an email newsletter that delivered free ebooks to genre-targeted subscribers. Their goal was simple yet bold: build a bridge between indie authors and readers actively seeking new books. Freebooksy quickly resonated with both authors and readers, prompting expansion into additional services such as Bargain Booksy, Red Feather Romance, NewInBooks, and AudioThicket. Operating from Durham, North Carolina, Ricci continues as CEO, driving innovation and community focus, while David ensures a strong technical foundation. Written Word Media has grown steadily, gaining a reputation for transparency, data-driven decision-making, and tools tailored to indie author needs.


Service Offerings & Their Place in Author Marketing

Written Word Media presents a suite of services centered around genre-specific email promotions:

  • Freebooksy, which advertises free ebooks, is particularly effective for frontlist releases and perma-free first-in-series strategies.
  • Bargain Booksy showcases discounted ebooks, making it an ideal tool for short-term sales, seasonal promotions, or boxed set pushes.
  • Red Feather Romance targets romance readers with both free and discounted offerings—valuable for authors in Trad Romance, Historical, or Paranormal Romance.
  • NewInBooks spotlights newly released titles, including author profiles and launch week features to jumpstart visibility.
  • AudioThicket caters to audiobook formats, connecting authors to growing audio-first audiences.
  • Reader Reach Ads delivers Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns professionally managed by the Written Word Media team.

Authors integrate these services in a variety of ways: using Freebooksy to give their first series installment away, leveraging Bargain Booksy during seasonal sales, using Red Feather Romance to target a romance-specific audience, and using AudioThicket when branching into audio versions. With Reader Reach Ads, authors can bypass complex ad management and rely on expert execution, making multi-channel stacks easier than ever.


How Authors Leverage WWM in Their Marketing Mix

One of the key strengths of Written Word Media is how easily it integrates into broader author marketing strategies:

  • During launch phases, authors often pair a NewInBooks feature with newsletter sends, social promotion, and direct sales offers, creating visibility across platforms.
  • Backlist promotions frequently feature Freebooksy or Bargain Booksy to reignite interest, often coupled with Box Set launches via Payhip, Shopify, or BookFunnel.
  • Audio promotions through AudioThicket are timed to coincide with new audiobook releases and supported by ad campaigns or audiobook newsletter swaps.
  • Ad integration through Reader Reach Ads enables authors to build custom campaigns around the buzz generated by newsletter features, maximizing conversion.

Combining WWM's genre-focused newsletters with email list campaigns, paid ads, and direct-platform engagements helps authors build momentum, and keeps it flowing.


Deep Dive: Each Newsletter and Their Best-Fit Genres

Written Word Media’s newsletters serve distinct readership interests:

  • Freebooksy thrives on zero-price appeal and attracts large audiences in popular genres like thriller, mystery, fantasy, and contemporary romance. Ideal for authors offering first-in-series titles or launching a new universe.
  • Bargain Booksy excels when books are priced between $0.99 and $4.99, especially for boxed sets or seasonal promotions. It’s broad in scope, welcoming to most fiction and nonfiction.
  • Red Feather Romance targets loyal romance readers with both free and bargain options. Imprints in historical, paranormal, contemporary, and romantic suspense do especially well.
  • NewInBooks gives authors a boost at launch, often paired with discount strategies and ad campaigns for maximum visibility.
  • AudioThicket offers deep focus for audiobook marketing—ideal for thriller, romance, memoir, and business titles seeking audio-first exposure.

Pros & Cons of Written Word Media

Pros:
Written Word Media’s reach provides remarkable exposure. With services priced transparently and segmented by genre, authors gain access to targeted subscribers who convert well. The setup process is intuitive, making sophisticated promotion approachable.

Cons:
High-demand slots fill quickly, requiring booking weeks in advance. While affordable, promotions can be outbid by high-volume publishers in some genres. Results depend heavily on quality assets and strategic integration with other campaigns.


Future Offerings & Continued Innovation

Written Word Media continues to evolve. Recent updates include promotional bundles, enhanced analytics, and author dashboard improvements. Upcoming services aim to support small indie publishers, series-wide campaigns, and ad customization options. The platform’s commitment to webinars, training materials, and transparent feedback ensures authors stay informed and empowered.


Final Verdict

Written Word Media has become an indispensable resource for modern indie authors. Its genre-driven email newsletters and managed ad services amplify visibility, drive sales velocity, and build author momentum. When used as part of a coordinated marketing plan—paired with launch campaigns, backlist refreshes, audio promotion, and direct sales—it can reshape the trajectory of a book and the direction of an author's career.

Randall Wood
About the Author

Hello, I'm Randall Wood. When I'm not pounding the keyboard or entertaining my giant dog I like to build tools for my fellow indie authors. In these articles, you'll find lessons learned over sixteen years spent in the indie author world. I share it all here to help you get one step closer to where you want to be.

For More Details: https://randallwoodauthor.com/

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