Patreon Party Day 1: Milestones and Rewards!
Last year, I changed up my Patreon. This was a weird/confronting exercise, as the campaign and my onling writing life had revolved so much around the serialised writing of Musketeer Space and its associated bloggery – would anyone still want to support me now that project was complete?
As it turned out, many of them did – a lot of my supporters fell away once the book was finished, and fair enough too. But what came next? I was too exhausted to think about a new Big Thing straight away, so I settled for a more low-key reboot, for my online writing/blogging in general, promoting new blog series like the SF Women of the 21st Century profiles. The rewards became more about general Tansyness, rather than Musketeers.
The New Big Thing finally found its way into my Patreon campaign & writer brain early this year — Sheep Might Fly allowed me to combine the things I loved (serialised fiction and podcasting), and to offer a regular, sustainable piece of something to my Patreon supporters. The main benefit for me was being paid to write short stories at the length I loved (8-20,000 words), as well as writing sequels and ongoing series made up of those stories. Alternating originals with reprints gives me a bit of breathing space, and also allows me to find a new audience for stories I am especially fond of. Sheep Might Fly has hit a real creative sweet spot for me, and I’m very happy with where it’s been going.
So what’s different with this week’s reboot?
The focus of the campaign is now almost entirely on the serialised fiction of the Sheep Might Fly podcast, and the ebooks of the original stories written for the podcast. I’m expecting to put out around 3 novelettes or novellas a year, producing the ebook after the story has been broadcast, and releasing them to my Patreon supporters FIRST, before they go up for general sale. The first of these was Glass Slipper Scandal.
All supporters of my Patreon campaign, even those at the $1, receive the ebooks of the stories in advance of them going up for sale. And of course, anyone can listen to the podcast for free.
Then there are extras, based on which level you choose!
UPDATED REWARDS
Pledge $1 or more per month
Ebook Classic
Several ebooks per year, plus my grateful thanks and the happy glow of supporting your local writer in her creative endeavours.
Pledge $2 or more per month
Ebook Plus
Several ebooks per year, all that eternal gratitude business, PLUS your name listed as a patron in the back of the books you have sponsored.
Pledge $3 or more per month
Backstage Pass!
Sneak peeks of fiction in progress, previews of some work before it hits publication and/or other mysterious texts, emailed to you 4 times a year. (PLUS all the ebooks, PLUS your name listed as a patron in the back of the books you have sponsored)
Pledge $5 or more per month
Random Act of Postcard!
Annual postcard featuring original Tansy art & a personalised thank-you via snail mail – make sure your profile lists a postal address to receive this reward! (PLUS all the ebooks, PLUS your name listed as a patron in the back of the books you have sponsored, PLUS the Backstage Pass)
Pledge $10 or more per month
Naming Rights: the Drunk Faerie Edition!
It’s back! At this level, you get to name things in Tansy’s stories, at least twice a year. If you support at this level by 30 September 2016 you may design/name a cocktail served in a skeevy faerie nightclub in the upcoming serial, “Dance, Princes, Dance.” (PLUS all the ebooks, PLUS your name listed as a patron in the back of the books you have sponsored, PLUS the Backstage Pass)
Pledge $12 or more per month
Random Act of Monster!
A personalised micro-story featuring your name and the fabulous mythical monster of your choice.
(PLUS all the ebooks, PLUS your name listed as a patron in the back of the books you have sponsored, PLUS the Backstage Pass)
Pledge $15 or more per month
Random Act of Glitter!
Receive eternal gratitude and a personalised thank-you via a piece of glittery craft constructed by myself and my daughters.(PLUS all the ebooks, PLUS your name listed as a patron in the back of the books you have sponsored, PLUS the Backstage Pass)
Pledge $20 or more per month
Deluxe Super Special Queen-Emperor of Glorious Patronage
All the rewards including the Random Act of Glitter, the Random Act of Monster, Naming Rights, Random Act of Postcard, Backstage Pass, Ebook Plus, my eternal gratitude and a veritable rainbow’s worth of happy, radiant glow because you are the best of everything. Also Random Acts of Author will be bestowed upon you at least once a year – creative surprises of some kind, appearing in your inbox or letterbox when you least expect them.
NEW MILESTONES
This might feature previously-published essays, or be something entirely new. Previous examples of my non-fiction titles include Pratchett’s Women, 50 Roman Mistresses, and It’s Raining Musketeers. Themes I am most likely to be drawn to include media criticism, women’s history, and feminist SF.
I’m super excited about this one! Read like a Valkyrie! Slaughter books and leave them in your wake! Picking books for other people to read is one of my favourite things, and I love the idea of putting out the virtual comfy beanbags and cups of tea every month to talk about a title that excites me with anyone who wants to join in. (I may have already designed the membership cards, they’re pretty great)
Yes, I’m super into making books right now, can you tell? In Australia our midwinter is in June, and I love the idea of making something special to release around that time, to be enjoyed while huddling under your own reading blanket. And it will be exclusive to Patreon supporters for at least 3 months!
