THE BUSINESS OF WRITING
Pursuing PATRONS
Can writers have patrons who support their writing business? Simon Whaley chats to two writers about how they use the Patreon platform
T
he 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-permonth 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!