Why write romance?
Romance isn’t just the best-selling genre in publishing, it’s a billion-dollar industry with readers who are always hungry for their next story. Whether it’s contemporary love stories, spicy billionaire fantasies, or brooding paranormal romances, the demand is massive—and growing. You can jump into that market and start to make money writing romance!
The best part? You don’t need to be traditionally published, have a literary degree, or even a massive social media following to turn your love of storytelling into a real income stream. Thousands of indie authors are quietly (and not-so-quietly) making a living writing books they love, many starting from scratch.
This guide is your roadmap.
We’ll walk you through every stage of the process, from crafting stories readers crave to publishing and promoting your books like a pro. You’ll learn what’s working right now in the indie romance world, how to stand out in a crowded market, and how to actually make money doing what you love.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your existing writing career, this guide is packed with practical tips, tools, and strategies to help you make money writing romance.
Let’s dive in and turn your passion for romance into profit.
So how does it work?
Of course, this is an overview. Each one of those steps deserves a full breakdown in its own right. I find, however, that it helps to look at things from an aerial view first. Write your books, enroll them in an online marketplace and ensure that every read has maximum effect by funneling readers to your newsletter list. As you develop as an author and write more books, this mailing list will become your treasure trove! Believe it or not, email is still king in the sales industry. This simple funnel of “books leading to the email, that leads back to more books” is your ticket to make money writing romance. Starting with this in place will launch you way ahead!
So next we will be breaking down each part of this machine in detail. Keep in mind that the industry is always changing, so these will be guides instead of specific tutorials. For example, you can use any email service you want. We have suggestions for services and products, but that’s all they are: suggestions. More importantly, we will discuss WHY I use these services so you know what to look for in others 😉
It’s awkward to start with the one I can assist with the least! As indie authors, it’s easy to get caught up in marketing strategies, release schedules, and all the business-side hustle. However, your writing craft—the heart of your author career—needs just as much attention if you want to make money writing romance. Here are some basic tips and outlines I often recommend to new authors.
1. Master the Art of Exposition
Giving backstory and worldbuilding details is necessary—but dumping all the info in one spot is a mood killer.
Do this instead:
• Sprinkle backstory into dialogue, inner monologue, or action scenes.
• Put your character in a unique or tense situation and let their traits reveal themselves.
• Use vivid sensory details to ground your reader in the moment.
2. Nail Your First and Last Sentences
A strong opening hooks the reader. A strong ending sticks the landing.
What works:
• Start with a bold image, a compelling voice, or a moment of tension.
• End with impact—whether it’s emotional, thought-provoking, or a subtle callback to the beginning.
• “Less is more” applies here. A simple, resonant final line often hits hardest.
3. Read Like a Writer
Reading isn’t just for fun—it’s your secret weapon for leveling up.
Try this:
• Read widely in your genre.
• Re-read scenes that make you feel something and ask: “How did they do that?”
• Notice character arcs, dialogue rhythm, scene pacing, and emotional payoff.
My “Writing Craft” course goes into more detail with specific examples and helpful writing tips! The best part? This class is completely free!
I’ll go ahead and put newsletter info here – between finalizing your first book & officially uploading the manuscript for publishing. It’s important to have your newsletter sign-up ready BEFORE your first release. You’ll want to put the sign up link everywhere – the front of your book, the back of your book, on social media, etc. The best way to grow is to offer a Reader Magnet (more on this in the next section). However, if you don’t have time to write a free book, it’s still essential to have the sign-up ready to go!
A newsletter is one of the most powerful tools an author can use to grow and connect with readers. Whether you’re just starting out or have a list of thousands, your emails help turn casual fans into loyal buyers—and keep your books in front of the people most likely to read them.
Many authors wonder: What do I send? And how do I grow my list? While email setup tutorials are everywhere, this guide focuses on the strategy: why newsletters matter, what kind of content works, and how to build a strong, engaged audience so you can make money writing romance.
Email consistently outperforms social media in sales and engagement. Think of your audience in three levels: cold (new readers), warm (engaged but haven’t bought), and hot (buyers). Your newsletter is how you move people from cold to hot.
To grow your list, start with a reader magnet (often called a Freebie)—a free novella or short story available only to subscribers. Promote it in your books, on social media, and through swaps or builders (like BookFunnel or LitRing). Focus on finding the right readers, not just more readers.
When it comes to content, don’t overthink it. New release announcements are great, but so are sneak peeks, cover reveals, trope spotlights, or personal updates. Always give value (sales, freebies, fun extras, etc.) and don’t be afraid that you’re “bothering” people. If someone unsubscribes, that’s okay. They’re just making room for the people who want to be there.
Set a consistent schedule that works for you—weekly, biweekly, or monthly—and stick to it. Be consistent and keep your tone authentic and friendly. Add personal touches to build connection.
Finally, treat your newsletter like the long game. Test what works, keep improving, and show up consistently. It’s not just about selling books—it’s about building trust with the people who love what you create.
My “Newsletter Best Practices” course goes into a lot more detail about the specifics of design and content. In addition, it gives you templates and guides to make money writing romance!
For indie authors, having a Reader Magnet is one of the smartest marketing moves you can make. A free short story, novella, or bonus scene not only gives potential readers a low-risk way to try your writing, but it also serves as a powerful tool for growing your email list. By offering something valuable in exchange for an email address, you start building a direct connection with readers—one that doesn’t rely on social media algorithms or ad spend. A well-crafted freebie helps attract the right audience for your books, nurtures trust, and creates a clear path from casual browser to loyal fan.
You’ll want to make sure your Reader Magnet connects to a series or to another book. Have a call out at the end of your book to “Read the rest of the series here” or “For more curvy girl romance books, click here!”
Below is an example of my Freebie. As you can see, I’ve setup a BookFunnel landing page to host my reader magnet. When readers sign up with their email addresses, BookFunnel ensures that both parties are happy. The reader gets a book, and you get a new potential customer!
So you’ve written your book and have your newsletter set up, congrats!!! Now we need to get everything ready to sell online. Think of formatting as boxing up a physical product for sale in a store. There are a lot of services that can do this for you, but my favorite is Vellum. Regardless of your service, you’ll be able to do the following:
✨ Step 1: Choose Your Formatting Tool
While you can format your book using Word or Scrivener and convert it manually, the fastest, cleanest, and most professional-looking option is Vellum.
✅ Vellum automatically handles things like:
• Page breaks
• Chapter headings
• Table of contents
• Consistent styling across devices
It’s Mac-only, but it’s worth every penny if you’re publishing regularly.
🧹 Step 2: Clean Your Manuscript
Before formatting your file:
• Remove extra spaces, tabs, and strange formatting.
• Make sure scene breaks are consistent (*** or ### work well).
• Double-check spelling and grammar.
📥 Step 3: Setup Your Book
You’ll have an opportunity to choose the writing style of your book while formatting. Make sure that chapter breaks appear, and all additional info is present.
• Front & back matter (title page, copyright, Freebie offer, Call to Action, etc.)
• Scene breaks and drop caps
• Links for your other books or email list
🧪 Step 4: Preview Your Book
Take a good look at the final product. Look for any formatting errors or opportunities to promote your other books.
📦 Step 5: Export for eBooks
Format and choose your file types!
In general, most ebook stores work with .epub and PDF files.
Professional formatting matters. It helps you look like a pro, keeps readers turning pages, and makes your book easier to read. Formatting services make it easy so you can spend less time fussing with styles and more time writing the next book. Since you can insert promotions for your other books and email list, quality formatting amplifies how you make money writing romance.
Our product is done and ready for sale, now is the time to get it on the market! A lot of authors just starting out find Kindle Unlimited to be the best place to start. While this program has an exclusivity clause for ebooks, it’s also a risk-free way for readers to discover your books. Of course, there are multiple opinions on KU vs. Wide publishing, this is simply my experience. I currently have a “hybrid” publishing schedule where new releases go to KU for 12-18 months, and then are taken out of KU and published Wide. Regardless of how and where you sell your books, there are a lot of similarities you should prepare for.
Here is a simple breakdown on just that:
📝 Step 1: Your Book Details
Here you’ll add:
• Book Title and optional Subtitle (I usually include tropes in the subtitle – “A curvy girl/Mafia romance,” etc.)
• Series info (if part of a series)
• Author Name
• Book Description (this shows on your Amazon product page)
• Keywords and Categories (choose carefully—this affects searchability and rankings)
• Age range (optional, mostly for kids/YA)
Tip: Make sure your book description is formatted with line breaks and enticing hooks—this is your sales pitch!
📦 Step 2: Finalize Your Manuscript & Cover
Now it’s time to upload the goods:
• Manuscript: Upload your formatted file
• Cover: Upload a high-res .jpg of your front cover. KDP doesn’t need the spine/back for ebooks.
You can use the Previewer Tool to see how your book looks on various ereader devices.
🌍 Step 3: Set Pricing & Territories
• This will vary based on the eBook marketplace you choose.
• If using Amazon KDP – Pick your royalty rate: 35% or 70% (you’ll want 70% if your book is priced between $2.99–$9.99).
• Enter your price—Most marketplaces automatically convert to international currencies. You can also look up “pretty prices” for international markets so it appears cleaner ($2.99 = pretty price vs $2.84 which might look odd to an international reader)
🚀 Step 4: Publish!
Click “Publish” and you’re done!
It usually takes up to 72 hours for your book to appear live on Amazon as well as other platforms.
Indie authors have more tools than ever to promote their work effectively, without waiting for a traditional publisher to step in. Start by building your email list and consistently connecting with readers through newsletters, using strategies like reader magnets, swaps with other authors in your niche, and promotions. Social media can also be powerful when used with intention—focus on platforms where your target audience hangs out, and share content that highlights your voice, tropes, and personality. Join author collaborations, participate in group giveaways, and reach out to book bloggers or influencers in your genre. Most importantly, think long-term: consistent promotion, paired with a growing backlist and authentic reader engagement, is what builds a sustainable author career.
There is no shortage of services and opportunities to get your books in front of readers, but here on Grown with Hart, we offer several! The Golden Rule is to try everything but really study what works and what doesn’t.
• 📚 Author Coaching – Personalized guidance for indie romance authors looking to grow their careers and hit new milestones.
• 💌 Newsletter Builders & Swaps – Connect with other authors and grow your email list through curated, genre-specific promotions.
• 🖼️ Premade Covers – Professionally designed romance book covers to make your book stand out and appeal to your ideal readers.
• 🎓 Grown With Hart University – Courses on newsletter strategy, author branding, book marketing, and creating a six-figure indie author business.
• 🤝 Author Collaborations – We will feature your book in our weekly email and social media feeds.
• 🛠️ Social Media Builders – Join a circle of other authors who all agree to share each others work. This gets more eyes on your work, and in front of a warm audience.
Now it’s time to start and never stop!
This basic sales funnel will, over time, build into an author brand and business. Indie-authorship is a big world with a lot of different (and viable) strategies for success, so start exploring. The most important thing to remember at this point is this: Consistency!
While I’ve already discussed some of our services here on GwH, I have a few freebies for you!
Author Resources is a comprehensive guide for authors, providing a wealth of resources across various aspects of the writing and publishing process. It is organized into several sheets, each focusing on a different area of interest. The “Getting Started” sheet lists essential resources such as Kindlepreneur and Reedsy, offering links and brief descriptions of their services aimed at assisting authors with publishing on platforms like Amazon Kindle.
The “Newsletter” sheet includes tools like StoryOrigin and Book Clicker, which help authors manage newsletter swaps and promotional activities.
The “Social Media” sheet provides links to platforms like Goodreads and Bookbub, essential for book promotions and reader engagement.
The “Ads & Marketing” sheet offers information on PR companies like Wildfire Marketing Services, helping authors navigate the marketing landscape.
The “Build A Team” sheet lists contacts for various services such as editing and cover design, while the “Misc.” sheet includes additional tools like Convertio for file conversion and Grammarly for proofreading, offering a range of utilities to support authors in their writing journey.