That is the number of subscribers to my newsletter. I find this fascinating because it seems stuck there. It goes up when I have a release, but then back down when I send out a posting–I guess when people are reminded they subscribed. I’m not sure what I would have to do to get over that 439. Not sure I want to for that matter.
Authors brag a lot about having these gargantuan mailing lists. I’m talking like 20,000 names. Thing is, unless you are a BIG name I have major doubts most of those email addys are 1. ) real and 2.) even slightly interested in your books. Now by real what I mean is not duplicates. I have people do that, sign up under say four email addys when I’m giving away a prize. Periodically, I go through and weed those people out–there are ways to tell when someone has done this. So far as the others, there are TONS of people who only sign up for the contests. Now some are still readers, but many come from contest web sites. Web sites that direct people to your contest AND provide the answer for them. In general I don’t mind that–but I don’t pat myself on the back for it either. (or fool myself into thinking they will eventually see the light and buy my entire backlist for themselves and all their friends.)
Now so far as not knowing whether I want to break that 439… I have a simple reason for that. I use a mail list service that keeps everything nicely organized for me. It’s affordable and I like it, but guess what, when you go over 500 names, your price goes up. That’s right. I hit 501 and I’ll have to start kicking off my friends. 
Of course at say 748 maybe it would pay again…
So, anyway just a few things to think about as you push to get that mailing list big and fat.
Zombie Moon
LOL! Lori, I read your blog by RSS, and had to laugh on this one. I *may* be able to get your number above 439…I’m not sure if I’ve subscribed to your newsletter yet. Ya know, duplicates may be part of the reason the number goes down…people get multiple copies. Just saying. I’ll go ahead and subscribe and hope I’m not duplicating myself.
by Valerie September 26th, 2008 at 3:20 pmThanks, Valerie.
Part of the fee for my handy dandy service is to not have duplicates–at least at the same email service. But then I have two email addys I use regularly–so could be…
by Lori September 26th, 2008 at 3:37 pmNumbers… I do not know if the number really matters, as long as you know you have true fans that stand behind you! Having more fans to support you is a grand thing, but do not worry… your talent speaks for itself, your books are wonderful!!!
by Colleen September 27th, 2008 at 11:30 amThanks, Colleen.
by Lori September 27th, 2008 at 11:56 am