Post by: 🇨🇦 Helena Trooperman 
Last updated: 4 March 2026
Hero image: Kristina-flour-185592 Unsplash.com

[Reader Hat On]

For readers that don’t just want to be first, they want Helena Trooperman’s exclusive insider track on her books, life, & the Firmament.

It’s a privilege to have you on my readers’ list.

I hope to grant you transparency concerning unsubscribing, newsletter frequency, the kinds of content to be expected at first, more regularly in the newsletter, and what you won’t get.

For example, in my books you’ll get more heart than explosions. More techno-thriller than space flight. More invention than destruction.

Let’s jump in.

You can unsubscribe anytime. Find the link at the bottom of my emails. I’ve added a google feedback form link if you want to contact me with ideas for newsletter format or subject. Or just hit reply to the newsletter, anytime.

Frequency – (almost) Monthly: 3rd Wednesday

I spend most time writing and producing my stories. My intention is to send the newsletter on the third Wednesday of the month. If I have nothing of interest to share, I don’t send a newsletter out.

ALMOST is the operative word.

You may not hear from me until spring.

For example, at the start of the year, I front load and tackle much of the heavier editing tasks I have in my first quarter. Interesting for me but not to readers. I love to share my triumphs, like sending a manuscript to one of my editors and occasionally an additional super tiny update.

Expect an occasional newsletter on busy months, on the first Wednesday.

This year, I’ve predicted a few months, where I’ll be sending a newsletter on the first Wednesday of the month, as well. That’s two a month, but it will be for good reason. At the bottom of my email in the Ps section, I always give an indication of when the next newsletter will be and the subject title.

What should I expect when I first subscribe?

Three initial newsletters when you first join.

Delivering my welcome story to you is important. I’ll keep my sign up gift fresh by adding an extra novella now and then to create a collection. I also share insider details about my writing and the types of stories a reader can expect from me. Bookfunnel is a company that often handles eBook and audiobook delivery for me.

It’s a bit like dating!

You are welcome to download all the novellas in the collection or the just the ones you like. Read at your leisure. By now I hope you like what you’ve seen and decide to stay for more.

You are welcome to reply to any of my emails. I love to hear from you. Reviews are always welcome by email, on a store, or just on your favourite social channel. Just tag me in, and say hi, I don’t mind. I always get back as soon as I can, although… it might take me a week or so.

Getting Reader Hat On, makes you an extra special reader to me. Apart from anything else, being an author can be pretty isolating at times. Getting a reply is super motivating!

Yes, yes, I’m a rule breaker!

There’s a ton of talk in author circles about the importance of the subject line. I don’t need to trick any of my subscribers to open my newsletters. I make it clear the newsletter has arrived with [Reader Hat On] in the subject line with an idea of what that subject is likely to be.

What’s in my regular [Reader Hat On]?

Optimisim, optimisim, optimisim.

I try to make the newsletter a short-ish and entertaining read about my authorly journey. I try to keep it to one or two subjects to ensure brevity. See the list below of some of the benefits reader’s get.

[Please note: I do have one continuous benefit NOT mentioned below. I love to reward reader loyalty and provide true value.]

Reader Benefits:

ARMs & Book Launches are interest driven. That means optional! There’s usually a clear button that gives me this information.

You will hear first…exclusive release news. If you show interest in a book launch of mine, I’ll share with you the inside track on my exclusive bonus for that release, but it’s time limited. The bonus is a thank you for helping my new release get noticed by the sales platform engines around my release date.
ARMs or Advance Reader Missions. If you show interest in one of my soon to be released books—Your Eyes ONLY status. I’ll send you a free eBook copy. In return, I ask you to leave an honest review on one or two of the online stores at release time.
A cool variety of offers from myself (Helena) or from other authors in my genre. These are usually discounts or free stories.
The occasional contest for books or, a big prize, or goodies as described in the newsletter and accompanying blog post. Winners are announced on my blog, in my newsletter, and on my social platforms. Winner privacy is maintained.
An image or two. I quite often like a change of scenery and hot-desk-it to write. I’ll show you where I am or maybe what I can see.
Links in the post scripts. For those readers who are in a rush, but don’t want to miss out, a summary of links will be at the bottom of each newsletter.

Regular themes in [Reader Hat On]

Books
Which of my hot desks I’m at and why.
About my characters, their story signs, & the inspiration for this.
Geek out and fun. These newsletters share the books I geek out about and come with a blog link to check out the review. Or, are about a cool technology I’m loving right now.

What’s not in [Reader Hat On]?

No random adverts (and you won’t find them on my websites either!)
All my stories are NOT free! The stories I give #free have a specific purpose. I think of them as tools for attracting readers that might enjoy my work. Most of my stories have a price tag.
Most of my newsletters are NOT a ‘buy my book’ request. That would be boring!
No end of year lists or new year to do lists. Boring for anyone but other authors. Instead, I may share a picture of my homemade Bingo card.
No embedded chapters. Instead, I provide a link to a pdf, usually on my website.

Has this post been useful?

I always find signing up to websites online is a leap of faith. It’s often unclear what to expect and whether your email is in safe hands. I use this website as my hub. I have a privacy policy, please check it out. Know, I never sell my newsletter list. I share an email with one of my service providers when they need to deliver a book to you. That’s it. I hope this post has helped.