Written Word Media

Written Word Media operates the largest independent book promotion network for self-published authors, running five genre-specific newsletters with a combined audience of over one million readers. Founded in 2011 by Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon in Durham, NC, the company serves 45,000+ authors through newsletter features, premium solo email blasts, and full-service managed advertising.

What You Get#

• Freebooksy: Promotes free and permafree ebooks; features start at $25 (pricing effective February 2025). Highest-volume product for download spikes; best ROI for series authors running a permafree book one.
• Bargain Booksy: For ebooks priced $0.99–$4.99; features start at $20. The Deal of the Day slot runs simultaneously across both Bargain Booksy and Freebooksy newsletters — a combined reach of 310,000–504,000 readers — and is available in Romance, Mystery, Fantasy, and Science Fiction genres ($95–$240).
• Red Feather Romance: Dedicated to steamy contemporary romance, a genre not served by the other four newsletters.
• NewInBooks: Promotes new releases at full price within four months of publication — the only WWM product for full-price discovery rather than discount promotions.
• Audio Thicket: Targets dedicated audiobook listeners across three weekly sends: Mystery Monday (free or ≤$5.00 on non-Audible retailers), Audible Picks on Wednesdays (no discount required; listeners use Audible credits), and Weekly Deals on Thursdays (free or below $9.99 on non-Amazon retailers).
• Limelight: Premium solo dedicated email spotlighting a single author — no competing titles. Two editions: Freebooksy ($550, book must be free) and a combined Red Feather Romance & Bargain Booksy edition ($500, book must be $0.99). Includes the promoted title, up to three backlist books at any price, and an author branding section. Exclusive to Gold and Platinum members.
• Reader Reach Ads: Full-service managed Facebook/Amazon ad campaigns (5, 10, or 30 days). WWM handles targeting and creative from their own accounts — no author ad account required. 30-day campaigns are Gold and Platinum members only.

Who It's For#

• Series authors with a permafree first book: Newsletter features deliver the highest download volumes and best read-through potential at this price point.
• Authors with quality books: Bargain Booksy Deal of the Day is subject to editorial review — a polished cover, strong description, and existing reviews improve acceptance odds for this highest-visibility placement.
• Authors who want hands-off ad management: Reader Reach Ads require no platform setup or targeting decisions from the author.

Pricing: Newsletter features range from $20 (Bargain Booksy) to $550 (Limelight Freebooksy edition). Gold membership ($125/year) and Platinum membership ($250/year) provide a 10% discount on all promos, early booking access 14 days before general availability, and unlock 30-day Reader Reach Ad campaigns. Membership discounts are capped at $200/year (Gold) and $500/year (Platinum).

Strengths#

• Portfolio breadth: Five genre-segmented newsletters, solo Limelight blasts, and managed ads — more product variety than any single-newsletter book promotion competitor.
• Dual placement: Bargain Booksy Deal of the Day runs simultaneously across both newsletters, delivering 310,000–504,000 combined reach without additional cost.
• Verified author data: WWM publishes annual author surveys; the 2024 survey of 1,500+ authors rated promo newsletter sites 3.3/5 for effectiveness — near-equal to BookBub Featured Deals (3.4/5).

Limitations#

• Downloads, not lasting conversions: Newsletter promotion spikes typically subside within one to two weeks. Review conversion averages 2–3 per 1,000 downloads. Long-term ROI depends on series depth, not promotional volume alone.
• Editorial gating: Most placements require editorial approval — not every submission is accepted, and high-visibility slots like Deal of the Day and Limelight have additional eligibility requirements.
• Reader Reach Ad pricing is undisclosed: Costs are not published on the website; historical 2021–2022 rates suggest roughly $150 per 5-day campaign, but current pricing is only visible after account setup.

Alternatives#

BookBub reaches a larger subscriber base and offers self-serve CPC ads alongside editorial placements. For authors seeking cost-free list-building, StoryOrigin newsletter swaps provide a no-cost alternative focused on subscriber growth rather than immediate download volume.