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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
 Posted - 09 May 2017 : 17:41:03
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I have a favor to ask of this community. Would you consider taking the time to read this blog post and share your thoughts on the Patreon model in general, and this project in particular? I'm looking for information, not affirmation, so negative responses are as useful as positive.
Thanks for your time--much appreciated!
http://www.elainecunningham.com/patreon/honor-among-thieves/
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2017 : 20:20:39
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I like Patreon as a concept. I would love for you and other authors to have a revenue stream that lets you write as much as you want and never have to worry about paying bills. And have enough cash to attend all the Cons if you want to, and so forth. A monthly donation model sounds great for that, particularly for those of you who have enough fans that a couple bucks a month from each of us would accomplish that goal. A couple dollars a month is pretty easy for most folks, especially when it's going to a beloved author.
And I guess that's really the draw of Patreon. It makes sense, and it might work out wonderfully.
The counterpoint is that I know (I don't really know, but it feels like I do) that very few Realms fans are actually using it. And especially given this low number of participants, I feel a bit ashamed of giving you a dollar a month, or even five. I'm broke and I can't do more, but it feels like an insult to you. I recognize the other side of it: with a large number of fans it adds up quickly. And even a dollar a month should make me feel better than zero. But it still feels uncomfortable.
I'm not sure how to reconcile the reactions. Just being honest about how it strikes me.
I like the idea of it. But I haven't participated yet.
I also like your Honor project. Proper book publishing companies may be on the downswing, but there's self-publishing and various in-between types of things. Piracy is getting easier, and that shows no signs of reversing course. So maybe a monthly donation --while very "free-market" and unpredictable-- while abandoning or at least de-emphasizing per-book sales is the way of the future. I'm no expert, but it looks that way from my chair.
If it costs nothing for you to set up a page, I'd go for it! Patreon, in particular, may or may not succeed... there's a million things that can make or break a company. I think this *type* of company will catch on, though... crowdfunding started out with a bang a little while ago and it seems to be gaining steam, and there's every reason to think the Patreon model will see the same success.
Best of luck! |
Edited by - xaeyruudh on 09 May 2017 20:23:03 |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2017 : 20:32:02
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Another realization. I have collected quite a hoard of D&D and AD&D game books over the years, but I would have even more of them if I could have paid for them in a steady monthly donation, and TSR/WotC would have made even more money from me given that I started buying 35 years ago.
I think that applies to most/all of us, and it definitely applies to novels as much as game books. |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2017 : 22:55:01
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I'm not sure if this model is the wave of the future, but it looks like it'll be around for a while. As for piracy, there's every possibility that someone might still post a Patreon project to torrent sites, but releasing a novel in serial installments makes that less convenient.
I doubt any Patreon user sees small commitments as an insult. The price of an ebook falls in the general vicinity of $4.99 to $24.99. Assuming that most writers publish a book a year, and further assuming readers buy one year from any given writer, a $1 per month commitment falls right in the middle of that range. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2017 : 00:13:40
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Well one thing I see that bothers me is this quote:
By posting content to Patreon you grant us a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, sublicensable, worldwide license to use, reproduce, distribute, perform, publicly display or prepare derivative works of your content.
While they leave you copyright in theory it appears you can not take action against them if you end agreement and they still sell thematerial. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore
1621 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2017 : 23:44:56
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| Great story. Paetron is cool. |
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Honor Among Thieves
