✍️ Diary of an Author: 3 Reasons Writers Should Start Newsletters

If you're reading this, you understand the value of newsletters. But why should writers start their own?

Happy Sunday! In today’s newsletter, you’ll learn about…

✍️ Why writers should invest time into starting a newsletter

☕️ How to pick your niche as a newsletter writer

😎 Hello from the Inca Trail! I’m on my way to Machu Picchu

📖 3-Minute Story: 3 Reasons Why Writers Should Start Newsletters

When I step into the yoga studio, calm washes over me like a wave.

Exhala Yoga is located on the top floor of a boutique hotel in Cusco, Peru, and vines wrap across the ceiling as the soft sounds of a bubbling fountain drift through the open windows.

Day descends to evening as the instructor guides us through the restorative yoga class, encouraging us to respira — breathe — as that’s the true core of yoga.

As I move through the poses as class winds down, I think about how this flow feels similar to my work as a writer.

If breath is the heart of yoga, capturing human moments is the soul of writing.

Mindful movement and meditation have always been a key part of my work as a writer, and I find that newsletter writing comes from a similar spring of energy.

Writing helps us to think more clearly.

When you write as a habit, you’ll get into flow more easily, too.

Why You Should Start a Newsletter

A newsletter is not just a piece of content, it’s a promise you make to yourself and your audience to show up each week.

By writing a newsletter, you’re accomplishing these 3 things:

• Capturing what you’re thinking, feeling, and working on in a moment— kind of like a public diary! Hence the name of this newsletter. 🙂

• Sharing your knowledge with your community. This builds goodwill and can even create enough value to quit your day job.

• Building up your content library. You can repurpose newsletters into books, podcasts, and more. At the very least, you’re building a consistent writing habit that will serve you in whatever you do!

“But what niche should I pick?”

This is a question I get often.

There are hyper-specific newsletters that report on industries or technologies like AI, but my favorite newsletters are more like op-ed columns from writers and professionals I admire.

So, when picking a topic for your newsletter, focus on how your unique perspective can set your newsletter apart. How can you uniquely add value to your readers’ lives? Go write that!

Here at ✍️ Diary of an Author, you’ll read a mix of my travel stories, writing tips, and anything else related to what it takes to be a successful working writer in the digital age!

Writing this newsletter has changed my life over the past few months, so thank you to everyone who has subscribed, shared, and supported my work here so far.

I can’t thank you enough.

Namaste and have a great rest of your weekend. 🙏

✨ 2 Quotes to Inspire You

• “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle

• “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have.” – Eckhart Tolle 

✍️ 1 Journal Prompt for Reflection

• What do you wish showed up in your inbox each week? What knowledge or experience do you have that you could share with others?

Feel free to share your reflections with other Modern Authors in the comments:

💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com

• 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Self-Publishing Your Book on Amazon KDP

• 3 Steps: How to Write a Book Outline for Your Memoir or Nonfiction Book

• My Favorite AI Tool: Text-to-Audio in YOUR Voice [Wondercraft AI Review]

🎙 New Diary of an Author Podcast Episodes

• #71 - How to Make $350/Hour as a Freelance Writer

• #70 - Expert vs. Entry Level Freelancers: When to Work with an Expert

• #69 - Five Steps to Quit Your Job and Become a Full-Time Freelancer (9 minutes)

I create these podcast episodes from my blog archives using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link to get 50% off your Wondercraft AI subscription!*

*This is an affiliate link, so I receive a small commission if you subscribe. Thanks for your support!

📸 Photo of the Week: Cusco, Peru

Cusco, Peru is amazing so far. As you’re reading this, I’m actually hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! Stories soon. 🙂

Follow me on X/Twitter or Instagram for more!

🎥 Video of the Week: Month 3 of Growing My Substack to $8k/Month

I’m sharing my journey to growing this here Substack to $8k/month. Learn more about my subscriber and earning stats in this month 3 update video!

Be sure to subscribe to me on YouTube and TikTok for more travel content, remote work inspiration, and writing tips!

⚡️ Upcoming Wednesday Edition: The Books That Changed My Life — Forever

This Wednesday, Diary of an Author paid subscribers will get an exclusive issue about…

✨ The ultimate book list that will change your life

🧪 What makes a book timeless, and what makes it disposable

📚 3 things to think about when you’re writing your own books

Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,

-Amy