A subscription platform where readers pay monthly to support your writing and get exclusive content in return.
Patreon is a membership platform that lets writers earn recurring income by offering subscribers (called patrons) access to exclusive content, early chapters, behind-the-scenes material, and other perks. Writers set up tiered membership levels at different price points, each with its own rewards. Unlike selling a finished book, Patreon monetizes the ongoing creative process itself. It works especially well for serialized fiction, poetry, essays, and any writing practice that produces regular output.
Patreon gives you a way to get paid while you write, not just after you publish. For writers producing serial fiction or regular essays, it creates a stable income stream that doesn't depend on book launches or Amazon algorithms. It also builds a direct relationship with your most dedicated readers, which is something no bookstore or retailer can offer you.
The author of Worm and Ward uses Patreon to fund his prolific web serial output, earning enough to write full-time while publishing chapters for free.
Tingle uses Patreon to fund his unique brand of fiction, building a dedicated community of readers who support his consistently prolific and unconventional output.
The three-time Hugo Award winner used Patreon to fund a creative year, proving that even traditionally published authors can use the platform to subsidize ambitious projects.
Start with two or three tiers at most. The more rewards you promise, the more obligations you create. Keep it simple so you can actually deliver consistently without burning out.
You need existing readers to convert into patrons. Build an audience first through free content, social media, or a newsletter. Launching to zero followers means zero patrons.
Readers support you because they get something they value, whether that is early access, exclusive content, or community. Make your tiers clearly communicate what patrons receive.
Draft a Patreon page for your current writing project. Write a one-paragraph pitch explaining what you write and why someone should support you. Then outline three tiers with specific rewards at each level. Focus on rewards you could realistically deliver every month without derailing your actual writing.