Advent Calendar - Day 18 - PROMOTION (but also a pretty sweet deal)

 

There's always a lot of chatter about the changing nature of publishing, and in fairness, the publishing industry is always in flux. Which is why successful authors keep their eyes (and minds) open. Successful longtime writers know when they have to adapt. They're fast on their feet. 

I always knew I was going to be a writer. My teachers, starting in third grade, told me I would be a writer. I believed them. I started my professional writing career when I was sixteen and sold a poem to Seventeen magazine. I sold my first novel, a Harlequin romance, right out of college. I've been a fulltime professional writer for nearly thirty years. Like Robert Parker, I plan to die at my desk.

(Well, wait. I'm not saying Parker planned to die at his desk--nor am I planning to literally die at my desk. Although...)

 In 2018 I began to worry about the fact that we (writers) were/are all so dependent on Amazon. Yes, I was--and plan to remain wide--but Amazon has always been a big chunk of my earnings. Discoverability has been an issue for well over a decade. Long before AI arrived to further clog the arteries. 

Anyway, in 2018 I decided to create a Patreon community. If you don't know, Patreon is a membership platform that lets readers directly support authors and other creators they enjoy. Instead of buying a single book or product, patrons choose a monthly membership level and get access to exclusive content—things like bonus scenes, early chapters, behind-the-scenes posts, and occasional extras created just for members. It’s a way for readers to be part of an ongoing creative community and help make future work possible.

That's a very different thing from a Kickstarter, although Patreon and Kickstarter both support creators. Patreon is ongoing—it’s designed for readers who want regular extras and a continuing relationship with an author, with monthly support and steady behind-the-scenes content. Kickstarter is project-based—it’s best for funding a specific, one-time goal (like launching a special edition or a new project) with a clear beginning and end. Patreon is ideal for long-term community and continuity; Kickstarter is great for big, splashy launches and special events.. 

Not everyone can afford to contribute to either platform, and that's fine!The first and most important line of support remains buying and recommending the books! Buying and recommending the books is first and foremost. Buying and recommending the books is always appreciated.

But if you've been considering joining my Patreon, I'm running a month-long holiday promotion. If you subscribe annually at the $20, $50 or $100 tier, you'll receive 50% off that first year. The promotion starts today and ends (meaning, you have to sign up ) before noon on January 16th.

What types of things might you have access to at the (for example) $20.00 tier? 

• First Look at Works-in-Progress.

• Monday Man Art - select art published each Monday morning

• Audiobook Rough Water (Secret at Skull House Jack's POV) following your one month anniversary

• What LIes Beneath AUDIO book following your second month anniversary

• Print book - Your choice of one of the following signed print titles: Seance on a Summer's Night, Hide and Seek, Puzzle for Two, Ghosted, or Kill Your Darlings following your one-month anniversary.

• The digital version of the collector's edition of Fatal Shadows with over 100 pages of bonus materials following your second month anniversary.

•  Audio downloads of books produced specifically for Patreon (post 12-2025)

• ALL ebook short stories, novellas and novels published during your subscription. 

• Every three months your choice of any SINGLE TITLE print book from my existing backlist.**

• Every two months your choice of any ebook from my existing digital backlist.

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(Obviously, if you've subscribed annually you don't have to wait to collect rewards.)

Anyway, if you're interested, you can check it out by clicking this link