Joe DeRouen

I'm the author of Small Things and Threads (the first two books in the Small Things trilogy,) as well as Memories of a Ghost and Odds and Endings: Fiction Short and Otherwise, and have had short stories appear in several anthologies. I also have a potential television series, The Mandela Effect, in development with CouncilTree Productions. I'm currently working on finishing the third and final book in the Small Things trilogy (A Pattern of Shadows) as well as another unrelated novel and various short stories and novellas. In a year's time, I plan to release a book of collaborative short stories, starring...you! (See below)


Have you ever wanted to tell me what to write? Well, now you can. I’ve decided to write a book of 13 short stories based entirely upon what my patrons tell me to write. Everyone who subscribes to my Patreon will have their name entered into a monthly drawing. If you subscribe for $1, you’ll get one entry. If you subscribe for $10, you’ll get ten entries. If you subscribe for $25…well, you probably get the idea by now. As far as I know, this has never been done before, so let’s make history!
Once a month, I’ll draw a name out of the hat, and that person will tell me what short story to write. Setting, time period, characters, genre…whatever you want. You can be as vague or as specific as you feel like, and I’ll write the story to the best of my ability, and include your name in the credits. (And if you win once, you’re still eligible to win again!) When all 13 stories have been written, I’ll send the book off for publication. Depending on the tier you subscribe to, you’ll either get a free eBook of the book or an autographed physical copy. Winners will get an autographed physical copy no matter their tier.


In addition to being an author, I'm a substitute teacher. I'd like to write full time, so I can get more novels and short stories out the door for you to read, but writing for a living is inherently unstable. To write full-time, I need reliable funding. Enjoy my books and want to see more from me? Support me via Patreon. I won't let you down, I promise.



When you "subscribe" to me, you'll get all sorts of fun rewards, (one big one described in "My Big Idea", above) including access to my works in progress. Depending on the tier to which you subscribe, you'll also get copies of my novels, bookmarks, previously-unpublished short stories, new short stories (I plan to write one a month!), videos, and even have your name listed in the "Thank You" section of my future novels.