From Inbox to Impact: Building a Newsletter Readers Love
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Episode Summary: Newsletters can feel intimidating—but they don’t have to. In this episode of the Books & Such Literary Management Podcast, Jen Babakkan, Barb Roose, Debbie Alsdorf, and Cynthia Ruchti continue their conversation on panic-free platform building with a deep dive into newsletters. From knowing your why to discovering the power of consistency, the team shares stories, strategies, and surprising facts (like why publishers value newsletters more than social media numbers). Whether you’re a novelist or nonfiction author, you’ll walk away encouraged and equipped to serve...
info_outline
Panic Free Platform Building
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Does the word platform make you panic? You’re not alone. In this encouraging and insightful roundtable episode, agents from Books & Such Literary Management—Jen Babakan, Barb Roose, Debbie Alsdorf, and Cynthia Ruchti—break down what platform really means, why it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and how to build it in a way that aligns with your calling. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just beginning your writing journey, this conversation will help you breathe a little easier—and build a platform that’s meaningful, manageable, and true to who you are. In This Episode,...
info_outline
Becoming the Writer You Want to Be
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Do you ever wonder what it really takes to become the writer you’re meant to be? In this insightful episode of the Books & Such Literary Management Podcast, host Jen Babakhan is joined by fellow agents and writers Debbie Alsdorf, Cynthia Ruchti, Barb Roose, and others to explore the real tools that move your writing forward—and the ones that might just waste your time. Together, the team shares hard-won wisdom, personal stories, honest trade-offs, and a powerful new opportunity that blends the best of all three options: the Books & Such Writing Intensive. In This Episode, You’ll...
info_outline
Query Like a Pro: What Literary Agents Actually Look For
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Welcome to our Books & Such podcast! We're so glad that you're here with us. According to literaryagent.com, the average literary agent can read 11,000 queries before finding a project that stands out for representation. Far too many hopeful authors are writing ineffective query letters. We want to help you avoid that! How can you write a query that grabs our attention? In this first episode, we discuss the factors that compel us to dig into your query letters. How important is your title? How long should your query letter be? What should you include in your query? ...
info_outline
Welcome to the Books & Such Podcast
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Welcome to the Books & Such Podcast! This mini welcome episode gives you the inside scoop on what our new podcast is all about. You'll hear our podcast intro featuring our four hosts as well as an overview of how we want to help you in your publishing journey. What's our podcast about? We’re helping you read between the lines of publishing. Our experienced literary agents invite you into their world for a discussion that pulls back the curtain on how agents think and what we’re looking for. Each episode, we’ll discuss a hot topic you’ve always wondered about. If you’re pursuing...
info_outlineDoes the word platform make you panic? You’re not alone. In this encouraging and insightful roundtable episode, agents from Books & Such Literary Management—Jen Babakan, Barb Roose, Debbie Alsdorf, and Cynthia Ruchti—break down what platform really means, why it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and how to build it in a way that aligns with your calling.
Whether you’re a seasoned author or just beginning your writing journey, this conversation will help you breathe a little easier—and build a platform that’s meaningful, manageable, and true to who you are.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
-
Why “finding your lane” is more freeing than “finding your brand”
-
What platform actually means (hint: it’s not just a social media number)
-
How to discern your audience and serve them well
-
Simple strategies like “The Rule of 3” and giveaways to build your email list
-
The difference between noise and connection—and why depth matters more than reach
Key Takeaways
"If you’re writing for everyone, you’re serving no one."
"Your newsletter isn’t a broadcast—it’s a way to care for your readers like a congregation."
"Don’t panic about platform. Serve in your lane, and the rest will grow from there."
Resources & Mentions:
-
REGISTER NOW: Books & Such Writing Intensive – September 22–24, 2025
-
Books mentioned: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, On Writing by Stephen King, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
-
Subscribe: iTunes | Spotify | Audible | iHeartRadio
-
Follow us: IG at @booksandsuch
Quotables
“Don’t try to reach everyone. Find your lane and serve your audience well.”
“Your newsletter is how you pastor your readers. It’s not just a tool—it’s a relationship.”
“You don’t need a big platform to be effective—you need a clear message and consistency.”