
Can writers have patrons who support their writing business? Simon Whaley chats to two writers about how they use the Patreon platform.
The subscription-based platform Patreon launched twelve years ago in May 2013 and offers creative people the opportunity to connect directly with their supporters. By sharing exclusive content with their most loyal supporters in return for a few pounds a month, it’s possible for writers to generate a useful, regular income for their writing business.
Many writers use the Patreon platform to share their work. They can do this for free, or they can ask subscribers to choose from different levels of monthly subscription rates, which will unlock this material for them. Subscribers who pay more, get access to more content or earlier access to it.
Many creatives use a three-tier subscription option, typically starting at £3 per month, then £5 for the middle tier, and £10 for the top tier. Others opt for a £5, £10, and £20 structure, although you can choose any prices you wish. It’s possible to have a low £1-per-month subscription offer, but Patreon’s charging structure means little is left from this option for the writer.
So how useful can the Patreon platform be to writers, and what sort of exclusive content do they provide?
Jo Walton (jowaltonbooks.com), author of fifteen novels, initially used Patreon to promote her poetry. She first came across the platform at a writer event where she discovered she was the only one not already using it!
‘I was on a panel about poetry in the Boskone convention, in Boston, some years ago, and everyone else on the panel said that they had a Patreon, and one of them asked me why I didn’t. And I didn’t have a good answer. I was already supporting people on Patreon, and I thought I might as well try it.’
Project Platform
To begin with, she posted poetry on her Patreon page (patreon.com/bluejo/), which her readers could find elsewhere. But as her understanding of the platform grew, she began using it to promote her other writing projects and find beta-readers for her books.
‘I post poetry there, that I was formerly posting for free on my blog,’ she begins, ‘and now I post it so it’s visible to everyone for free and my supporters get an email telling them it’s there. I also post to patrons only when I’m looking for beta readers for a completed novel and when I have free giveaway codes for audiobooks.’
Even though Jo posts her poetry that her readers could find elsewhere for free, she’s discovered they’re still happy to support her financially.
‘How it really supports my career is that people give me money, every month, essentially for nothing—for what they could get for free, just because they’re good people and they like my work. The money is great, and I appreciate having it and it makes a difference to my life. But what really helps even more is that it restores my faith in human nature.’
Jo also used Patreon to create a Covid project, which enabled her to support other writers and a charity.
‘During the pandemic, I used Patreon for my New Decameron Project, where I got one hundred stories from writer friends and posted one a day for one hundred days. I paid the writers $50 and gave the rest to a charity that works with refugees in Rome, Cittadini del Mondo.’
Diversifying Opportunity
Heather G Harris (heathergharris.com/) is an urban fantasy writer of several series, including the Glimmer Series (readerlinks.com/l/2226765), who looked into using Patreon because it offered an opportunity to diversify her writing business.
‘As an author, I am in the Kindle Unlimited programme, which is fantastic, but the eBook exclusivity clause means I can’t sell the eBooks directly on my website, as some authors are doing now,’ she explains. ‘Instead, I wanted to give myself another income to offset the risk if there was ever anything wrong with Amazon. I am a full-time author, so I need to pay my mortgage and feed my kids, even if something went wrong with Amazon. I didn’t want all my eggs in one basket.’
So while being in Kindle Unlimited means she can’t make use of her eBooks elsewhere, Heather uses her Patreon page (patreon.com/HeatherGHarrisAuthor) to make full use of her other formats.
‘My fans get access to all my audiobooks at a very cheap tier ($3) and that makes audio far more accessible, which I am passionate about. I’m a total audio head, and the cost of audiobooks are just so high sometimes. I am passionate about growing my audio sales and that’s one way I do it, plus I get to keep the majority of the subscription fees, bar Patreon’s fees and taxes.’
She also uses Patreon to give her fans early access to some of her material, and using them as beta-readers.
‘As soon as I’ve written it, they get it. They get it rough and unedited and they act as beta readers sometimes, telling me if anything is missing or off. They are my biggest fans, so I totally trust their judgment if the mystery is too obvious, or the romance is a little flat, or whatever. So that’s a really helpful use. Instant developmental feedback is so helpful! I was incredibly nervous about letting anyone see behind the curtain at first, but now I wouldn’t be without it.’
There are many ways writers can use Patreon, and sometimes coming up with the different offerings for each of the monthly subscription options can be challenging. Bonus content and earlier content access are common options, as are offering interactive options such as question-and-answer sessions where patrons can ask questions directly, or closed Facebook groups. Some writers share insights into their creative process, offering readers a more detailed behind-the-scenes look at how they work.
Supportive Spending
How much patrons will pay surprised Heather.
‘I went for a wide range of tiers, some of which I never thought people would go for, but they have. One of my highest tiers is having a character named after you. One fan bought that tier for her super-fan sister as a Christmas present, and I’ve already written her in. It takes more time, lots of back-and-forth emails about descriptions and likes and dislikes and photos and things, so it needs to be a higher level because it takes more time, but also, that’s what makes it so special. It is rare and exclusive.’
‘For some of my other cheaper tiers, from $7.50, my fans have a live Q & A once a month with me. It’s one of my favourite things. We all hop on a zoom chat together and we’ve honestly become such good friends. I really look forward to it. I also have a free tier and a $1 tier. I wanted everyone to be able to come and hang out there, regardless of their financial circumstances.’
Expectation Education
While different tiers allow writers to manage their patrons’ expectations, it’s important we manage our expectations, too. Building up a following can take time, so getting the word out there about our Patreon page is important.
‘For me, it has been a real slow and steady trickle of people joining me there,’ says Heather. ‘You have to be patient. I’ve been on Patreon just two years now, but my earnings are still fairly minimal. I can’t yet pay my mortgage with the earnings, which was my initial aim, but I am getting closer than ever. Regardless of the financial reward, I love the sense of community there, and I love that you can always communicate with your fans directly in a guaranteed manner, versus social media, where who knows who will see what!’
Jo agrees the Patreon platform will be harder work for a writer with few fans initially, but it’s worth the effort.
‘I don’t think Patreon is very useful unless you already have fans, but if you do, it’s a great way to reach them. Lots of people want to support artists more than just by buying their work, and it’s a way to do this. The name is perfect, it’s democratising patronage, which used to be only for rich people and now can be for everyone who can afford a dollar. I love Patreon. But I’m very aware that I’m at the mercy of the platform and if they want to change it to something I don’t love, there’s not much I can do about it. They make it very easy to use. I use it to support a bunch of other creators.’
Although it can be hard work, once you’ve established a system, it can be rewarding. Heather recommends considering how best to manage this workload.
‘Think about the time investment versus reward. For me, it really takes very little time to be there. I check in every day and read comments, but I schedule the daily chapters ahead of time. Add in some cover reveals, exclusive art, and the occasional poll, and it really takes very little time to build your own wonderfully supportive community, who you can speak to at any time.’
The best way to see how Patreon could support your writing business is to support writers you like. Learn from them.
Having a loyal fan base who is prepared to support you on a monthly basis might just be the boost your writing business needs.
Business Directory – Patreon Pointers
Jo’s Tip:
‘I’ve seen other people over-commit to doing things and burnout, and spend their time doing their Patreon stuff instead of their real work. Don’t do this. It’s not what anyone wants.’
Heather’s Tip:
‘When you start out, don’t forget to explain to your fans what Patreon is. Explain the subscription model. You need to educate first. Then, you remember to put it everywhere. Put it in your back matter, put it on your website, mention it regularly in your socials.’
© Simon Whaley