I’ve done a thing. I’ve started yet another platform where readers can hang out with me. It’s called Patreon, and it’s not a social medium but rather a platform where creators and “fans” can connect and hang out. I heard about Patreon years ago, and I was always on the fence about it, because first of all, it seemed like yet another thing to keep updated, but more importantly, I didn’t see the added value. That has changed.

My Initial Thoughts on Patreon

I was at a conference in Scotland over the summer where I met a sci fi author who’s crazy about Patreon. He changed my mind about it and gave me a fresh perspective. You see, I had considered it more appropriate for beginning or struggling authors who needed some financial assistance, since fans support the creators with a small amount each month. But he’s super successful so I couldn’t understand why he would need it.

Turned out he didn’t need it. He wanted the connection with his readers.

He loved being able to connect more with his superfans as he called it, and he’s built a dedicated tribe of readers who love hanging out with him there, who gladly support him and get early access to chapters, receive ebooks as soon as they release, or (depending on the level of support), signed paperbacks. And I loved that idea.

The Risks of Facebook

But there’s another reason. If you’re on Facebook, you’ll have noticed that Facebook is getting more and more restrictive. I’ve been “jailed” twice now, and the next time I get jailed for posting something facebook doesn’t like (like a picture of, say, two men kissing where you happen to see one guy’s nipples…), it’ll be for thirty days. My fear is that at some point, I’ll get shut down and lose my platform there. Right now, since I’ve built such a big reader base there, that would be disastrous. Hence my desire to build another platform.

Welcome to my Patreon

So, I did a thing. I built a platform on Patreon, and I would love for you all to come hang out with me there. It starts for as little as $1 a month, but for a little more, you automatically get each ebook when it releases. You know how fast I release, so if you auto-buy my books anyway, that might be a great way to connect and get those books. You’ll also get early chapters (I’m planning on starting those next week with at least two chapters a week…and if you head over to Patreon, you can see what I’ve started working on today!), exclusive sneak peeks and updates, and more. It will be the platform where I’ll show off cover reveals, new books, and teasers first. Sounds good, right?

If this is not your jam, no worries, I’ll still hang out on Facebook, just like before. I’m not going anywhere, unless Facebook shows me the door, haha. But I’d love to connect on Patreon as well and hang out.

You can find my Patreon page here. And by the way, doesn’t it look pretty, all pink and sparkly? Haha, Twinkle* and I are waiting for you!

(*Twinkle is my non binary unicorn…)