Mastering Reader Magnets: Hook, Line, and Subscriber

I hear you saying, “I am writing a book, and now you want me to produce a magnet for people to put on their refrigerator?” Of course not, reader magnets are a short story, novella, or free copy of a book you give to your potential readers or current readers to get their interest and their email address. As we learned in our last blog, collecting email addresses is the single most powerful marketing tool for authors because it gives you direct, lasting access to your readers.

Collecting email addresses should be implemented well before you publish your first book and continued throughout the publishing process. In other words, you should use reader magnets before you publish and every year thereafter. It’s never too late to get started. So, how do we use a reader magnet to obtain email addresses?

A reader magnet is something you write and give away in exchange for an email address. It is a way to pull potential readers in and, if you have already published, to collect email addresses to retain readers.

Reader magnets come in many forms — from free stories to exclusive resources — all designed to entice readers to join your email list. The best type depends on your genre, audience, and what feels natural to your brand.

Common Types of Reader Magnets 

Fiction Magnets:

Free Short Story or Novella. A bite-sized taste of your writing style, perfect for fiction authors. 

Prequel or Side Story. A companion piece to your main book series that deepens the world or characters. (Great if you haven’t published yet)

Exclusive Bonus Chapter. A “behind-the-scenes” or alternate POV chapter that fans can’t get anywhere else. 

Sample Chapters. A teaser of your upcoming release to hook readers before launch. 

Deleted Scenes. Fun extras that didn’t make the final cut but add depth and intrigue.

An actual book. If you are publishing a series, give the first book away as a reader magnet. I know, it’s painful, but it works.

Non-Fiction & Resource-Based Magnets 

Guides or How-To PDFs. Practical resources tied to your expertise. 

Checklists or Cheat Sheets. Quick, actionable tools readers can use immediately. 

Workbooks or Journals. Interactive materials that extend your book’s value. 

Case Studies or Success Stories. Real-world applications of your ideas. 

Quizzes or Personality Tests. Engaging, interactive magnets that reveal something fun about the reader. 

Printable Resources. Maps, diagrams, or classroom activities (great for teachers and game writers). 

For fiction authors, reader magnets give readers a taste of your storytelling, encouraging them to invest in your current or upcoming works.

For non-fiction authors, magnets demonstrate your expertise and provide immediate value. 

At the end of the day, a reader magnet isn’t just a freebie — it’s the spark that turns casual browsers into loyal subscribers. By offering something valuable and irresistible, you invite readers to step closer, join your circle, and become part of your writing journey. If you haven’t created your reader magnet yet, now is the perfect time to start — your future fans are waiting to be drawn in.

For those who have not yet published a book: Imagine that you write a reader magnet and obtain 100 email addresses before you publish your first book. You now have 100 potential book purchasers in your hands.

For those who have already published a book(s): Imagine you have 100 subscribers in your email marketing database. What if you could write a novella and increase that to 500 subscribers in just a few months? That is exactly what I did. Check your inbox on January 19th and learn how.

On January 5th, I will be sending out my most popular writer’s blog from 2025.

On January 19th, I will send you a blog post on how we get our reader magnets out to potential readers.