I have a traditional newsletter (via Mailerlite, if anyone is wondering). I share my books and stories there, of course, but I also share many book recommendations and news from my friends.
In the past, it’s worked wonderfully.
Now? Things have changed.
I did an unofficial poll recently and the results were kind of shocking. Half of my newsletter followers wanted to keep things the way they are; they enjoyed getting new leads on books and felt good about me sharing other things in my emails. The other half, however, felt strongly that they were only signing up for Adriana Locke information and preferred me to keep it focused on me.
Truthfully, I get both perspectives. I straddle the line with a foot in each camp.
I’m a reader well before I’m a writer. Sharing books is what I love to do!
But I’m also a writer, and a businessperson, and this thing I do feeds my family. So highlighting my work and sharing more about myself makes sense.
I’ve been contemplating this for months—is there a way to make everyone happy? (There’s never a way to make everyone happy. Ha!)
My solution, one that I’m very excited about!, is this—my newsletter (on Mailerlite) will stay the same. I’ll share my stuff and other things from other authors there. But here, on Substack, it’ll be about me. Not just my books, though. I’ll share more pictures of my life, personal stories—how my fictional world overlays into my real one. We can have conversations in the comments.
We can create a community here of likeminded people that enjoy books, feel-good romance, daily struggles, our victories—maybe swap some easy dinner ideas? (I have no idea what we’re having for dinner tonight. LOL)
All that being said, I need a name for this space.
When I created this account awhile back, I called it The Locke List. Apparently, I wasn’t feeling super creative that day because the name of my Mailerlite list is also The Locke List. But because that list of subscribers is huge and this one, right now, is not, it seems easier to change the name here.
So, give me your ideas! What do YOU think we should call this space?
Further, if you have any ideas or suggestions on what you would like to see me post about, let me know that too. I truly want to make a community here.
Addy xo
Addy: Un-Locke'd
How about — Adriana Unlocked ? It's kind of similar to what you have now, but you get to be unlock, unload and be uninhibited in this space.