How to Write and Publish a Horror Newsletter
The horror genre earns the entertainment industry millions of dollars a year in revenue. Fans of the genre flock to movie theaters to see the latest horror flicks, they rent horror DVDs, buy their favorite movies and snap up horror novels as fast as they are published. Horror Web sites are everywhere on the Internet and draw thousands of visitors a year.
Horror fans enjoy keeping up on their favorite entertainment topic, so why not learn how to write and publish a horror newsletter that horror fans will appreciate and enjoy?
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Instructions
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Design your horror newsletter. Most newsletters have a set format that readers come to recognize and count on. The format includes editorials, articles, reviews and a graphic layout often similar to a regular newsletter. Decide what information your newsletter will include and how you will lay it out.
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Use desktop-publishing software---Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Word work well for this---to write and design the first issue of your newsletter. If you want a powerful, free desktop-publishing software, try using Serif PagePlus (see resources). Desktop-publishing software contains newsletter templates you can use for your publication, either as they are while inserting your own text and graphics or by customizing a template to suit your needs or designing your own template. Once the first issue is laid out, save it as a template so you will have less work to do on ensuing issues.
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Consider writing articles about the horror genre, covering topics such as how horrow movies are made, special horror effects and the history of the field. Each issue should contain a feature article and one or two smaller articles or essays. Round the issue out with horror-book and movie recommendations. Search for horror writers you can conduct e-mail interviews with to include in your newsletter. Most horror writers have a Web site filled with contact information. You will be surprised how many will welcome the publicity.
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Include graphics in your newsletter, though use them sparingly. Horror is a visual art, but graphics should enhance your articles, not overpower them. An Internet search will turn up a number of royalty-free graphics you can use to spice up your newsletter (see resources).
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Save your newsletter as a PDF and print it, though printing a large number of documents might cause wear and tear on your home printer. If you prefer, save your newsletter to disc and take it to a local printer. There are often discounts for larger print runs. A professional printer can also help you decide what type of paper to print your newsletter on.
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Promote your newsletter. A Web site devoted to your newsletter is the best way to generate interest in it and to increase your subscribers.
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Tips & Warnings
Always include contact and subscription information on the back of your newsletter.
