How to Use BookFunnel: The Complete Author Guide
BookFunnel solves the delivery problem every self-published author faces: getting ebook files onto readers' devices smoothly, at scale, without spending hours on tech support. This guide covers ARC distribution, reader magnet delivery, group promos for list building, and which BookFunnel plan is right for where you are in your career.
BookFunnel Plan Comparison
Choose based on your current download volume, whether you want to host group promos, and your budget.
| Plan | Price/year | ARC Campaigns | Group Promos | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $20/year | 100 downloads/month | Participate only | Very low-volume authors, testing the platform |
| Middle Grade | $100/year | 500 downloads/month | Participate in promos | Most self-published authors; list building |
| First in Series | $150/year | 1,500 downloads/month | Participate + host promos | Series authors with established lists |
| Professional | $250/year | Unlimited | Host unlimited promos | High-volume authors, coaches, large lists |
Three Ways to Use BookFunnel
ARC Distribution
Create a private landing page for your ARC team. Share the link, set a download limit and expiry date, and let BookFunnel handle device compatibility questions. Each reader gets device-specific download instructions. You get a clean ARC send with zero manual file emailing.
Reader Magnet Delivery
Connect BookFunnel to your email service provider. Use your reader magnet download page as your list opt-in. Readers confirm their email to download — and land on your list automatically. Every BookFunnel download page becomes a list-building machine when integrated with your ESP.
Group Promos
Join multi-author group promos run by other BookFunnel authors in your genre. Each promotion page pools 10–200 books; all authors promote it to their own lists. You acquire subscribers from other authors' audiences. This is the single most cost-effective list-building tactic available to indie authors.
BookFunnel Delivers — iWrity Finds Your Readers
BookFunnel is a delivery tool. It sends books to readers you have already found. iWrity finds new genre-matched ARC readers for you, then you deliver through BookFunnel. Together, they cover the full ARC pipeline: discovery, delivery, and Amazon reviews that drive sales.
Find ARC Readers with iWrity — Free to StartFrequently Asked Questions
What is BookFunnel and what does it do for authors?+
BookFunnel is an ebook delivery platform that handles the technical side of getting books onto readers' devices. It provides a smooth download experience with device-specific instructions, handles sideloading for Kindles and other e-readers, and collects email addresses when configured for list building. Authors use it for ARC distribution, reader magnet delivery, and group promotional giveaways.
How does BookFunnel ARC distribution work?+
BookFunnel ARC distribution works by creating a landing page for your book that you share with your ARC readers. Each reader visits the page, enters their email address (optional, depending on your settings), and gets guided through downloading the book to their specific device. You can set download limits, expiry dates, and whether emails are collected. BookFunnel handles customer support for device issues, which saves authors enormous time compared to emailing ebook files manually.
What BookFunnel plan do I need as a self-published author?+
For most self-published authors, the Middle Grade plan ($100/year) is the best starting point. It allows up to 500 downloads per month, supports email list integration with major newsletter providers, and includes group promo participation. The Starter plan ($20/year) is only viable for very low-volume authors — 100 downloads per month fills up fast during a launch. The Professional plan ($250/year) is for authors with large lists doing high-volume launches or running their own promos.
How do I use BookFunnel to build my email list?+
BookFunnel list building works by integrating with your email service provider (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, MailerLite, etc.) and requiring readers to confirm their email before downloading. The download page collects the email, passes it to your ESP, and delivers the book. This makes every reader magnet delivery, ARC sign-up, and group promo entry an email subscriber acquisition. Authors using BookFunnel strategically grow their lists by hundreds per month through group promos alone.
What is a BookFunnel group promo and how does it work?+
A BookFunnel group promo is a multi-author promotional event where 10–200+ authors pool their reader magnets or free/discounted books on a single landing page. Each author promotes the page to their own list, and every download exposes readers to all participating authors' books. Readers who download an author's book from the promo page join that author's email list. This cross-pollination makes group promos one of the most cost-effective list-building strategies available to self-published authors.
How is BookFunnel different from NetGalley for ARC distribution?+
NetGalley is a discovery platform where reviewers browse and request books — you are finding new readers. BookFunnel is a delivery platform where you send books to readers you have already identified — your existing ARC team, newsletter subscribers, or group promo participants. NetGalley costs significantly more ($450–$600/year) and requires managing a listing. BookFunnel is cheaper ($20–$250/year), simpler to use, and integrates with your existing ARC management workflow. Most self-published authors use BookFunnel for delivery and iWrity for finding new ARC readers.