Josh Lanyon is creating Male/Male Mystery and Romance novels, audio books and more
441

patrons

$3,889
per month
                                                                      

Once upon a time--which is how so many stories begin--I thought the only authors using Patreon were those who could not make a living from their writing. *cough*

But times change. Publishing has changed. I've changed. In 2012 I experienced total creative burnout. It took me nearly a year of sabbatical to recover my energy and focus, my joy in the work. What I never did recover was my former speed at producing stories. I didn't want to accept that, so I kept scheduling myself as though I could simply shove through ideas and words by will power alone.

I can't.

The end result is that each year I fall farther and farther behind schedule while I try to rush through the stock pile of promised projects. I have to deliver a certain amount of work every couple of months simply to survive--and that's doable--but it means I can't take the time I need to really concentrate on making every book as rich and layered and satisfying as I'd like. As my readers would like. 

Financial necessity means I don't have the luxury to craft my stories the way I once did. 

Writing has never been an easy way to make a living. There's no guaranteed income--and there is no retirement plan. Adding to the problem is the fact that changes within the publishing industry mean every project takes longer to earn out than it once did. 

Patronage is an idea as old as art itself. When you support the artists you love with a few dollars each month, you make art and music and, yes, stories possible. Not only possible, better, because when the burden of financial anxiety (occasionally outright panic) is removed, joy and innovation return to the creative process. 

                                                                  

I'm still figuring it all about, but I think structuring this as a high-end subscription service might be easiest for me and most rewarding for you. I've tried to come up with a series of what I hope will be exclusive and enticing rewards for patrons at every level. I hope you'll consider joining me on this creative adventure.

Thank you so much for checking out my Patreon page!

Josh
Tiers
To your good health!
$1 or more per month ∙ 23 patrons
Thank you sincerely for supporting the arts with your cold hard cash. It is because of readers like you, authors like me can continue to make a living writing stories that hopefully entertain and even--occasionally--sustain. 


  • Access to all Patron-exclusive posts--including the cover reveals and playlists
  • Your name in the back of my indie-produced ebooks during your period of patronage.  (Unless, of course, you'd prefer to remain anonymous.)
  • The edited, formatted version of our first Patreon endeavor Séance on a Summer's Night  on your 6th Month Anniversary.) 
Join $1 Tier
May the Sun Shine Warm Upon You
$3 or more per month ∙ 84 patrons
Thank you so much for your support. These small but steady donations give me a little breathing room so that I can take a little more time to make each story just that much better. 


  • Previous tier rewards
  • Any short stories published through regular channels during your subscription period 
  • Access to all novels serialized on Patreon (a minimum of 1 - 2 chapters will appear each month).   


Mainly by Moonlight, the first book in the new Bedknobs and Broomsticks trilogy begins in December!

Join $3 Tier
Here's to Roses and Lilies in Bloom
$5 or more per month ∙ 203 patrons
Maybe it doesn't seem like giving up a latte or a hamburger once a month could help change someone's life, but your monthly contribution fills in the gaps when I don't have a new story out or I need a few weeks more to make a story the best it can be. Thank you so much for your generosity.


  • Previous tier rewards 
  • All short stories, novellas and novels digitally published through regular channels during your subscription. 
  • First look at Works in Progress. 
  • Bonus materials such as story snippets, character interviews, scenes written from alternate POVs, prologues, epilogues, character notes, etc.
  • Finalized (edited and formatted) book files for the Patreon-produced serialized novels in the digital format of your choice: mobi, epub or pdf. 
Join $5 Tier
In Wine There is Wisdom
$10 or more per month ∙ 68 patrons
I know you can't afford to pledge $10.00 a month to every single writer you enjoy and would like to support. Please know how much I appreciate your kindness.


  • ALL previous tier rewards
  • Every two months your choice of any ebook from my existing digital backlist.
  • Every four months your choice of any print book from my existing backlist.**


**In order to keep this reward affordable, non-US patrons must pay shipping. 

Join $10 Tier
Goodnight and Joy Be With You All
$20 or more per month ∙ 43 patrons
I don't know how to thank you, but I plan on doing it with a personally signed birthday card mailed to you on (or more likely around) your special day. It's thanks to you that even in these days of unpredictable author earnings, I now sleep a little better at night. 


  • ALL previous tier rewards
  • Signed birthday card
  • Any month where I don't have a new digital release, your choice of any ebook from my existing backlist. 
  • A copy of any/all single title print books published during your subscription period.**
  • Access to real time new book release discussions (details TBD)
  • Every six months either a download code or access to the files of my indie-produced audio books 



 **In order to keep this reward affordable, non-US patrons must pay additional shipping.  

Join $20 Tier
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread
$35 or more per month ∙ 2 patrons
PLEASE NOTE: This is a new tier created to bridge the gap for readers who want a little more print and some audio, but don't need everything.



  • ALL previous tier rewards
  • Every three months your choice of any print title from my existing backlist.**
  •  Access to the files of the audio books produced specifically for Patreon. 



**In order to keep this reward affordable, non-US patrons must pay additional shipping.  

Join $35 Tier
And friends are best together
$50 or more per month ∙ 18 patrons
Because of your incredible generosity I might even be able to start saving enough for a rainy day or two. 


  • ALL PREVIOUS TIER REWARDS
  • Either a download code or access to the files of all my indie-produced audio books released during your subscription period.
  • Starting with your first paid month, every two months your choice of print book from my existing backlist**


**plus 10.00 off the cost of international shipping.

Join $50 Tier
To High Winds and Mermaids
$100 or more per month ∙ 5 patrons
 

Ask and ye shall receive. You get it all. Anything I do, you get for the asking. 


From sneak peeks to audio books, it's all yours. Along with my sincerest gratitude. I honestly don't know what to say other than thank you, thank you, thank you.


At this level of support you're obviously not here for the rewards, so let's leave it at this: every couple of months, I'm going to send you something I think you'll like.  Just a little special thank you.


 

Join $100 Tier
Going, going, gone
$250 or more per month ∙ 0 of 1 patrons
Not content with investing in the arts? Would you like to invest in your own writing career? 


I'm offering one round of manuscript evaluation on the first 15,000 words of your manuscript--any genre. (That's about .016666 per word.) You'll receive detailed (and knowledgeable)  feedback on pacing, conflict, dialog, character development, and plot structure. I will also answer one round of questions after you've received your initial evaluation.


You also receive all the other rewards that go with the $100. tier 



**This particular tier is always capped at 1 person per month. It would sort of defeat the purpose of this account if I end up too busy to do my own writing! 

Join $250 Tier
Commission your own short story
$1,500 or more per month ∙ 0 patrons
 

Yeah, you either really love my work or you've got some very specific tastes in short fiction. ;-) 


Want some control over my creative process? YOU'LL BE SORRY. No, seriously. It's okay, we can do this! You tell me what you want and I'll do my best to write it. 


Assuming I like the way the short story turns out, I'll even publish it with your name listed as my sole patron and muse in the credits.  

Join $1,500 Tier
Goals
$3,889 of $5,000 per month
Usually what writers hope for from Patreon is to be able to earn enough to write full-time. I already write full-time. The problem is I also spend a huge amount of the time I should be writing doing a TON of other business related things. Everything from formatting (and re-formatting) and updating and uploading books to organizing marketing and promotion. I have to manage my translations and organize the production of audio books. The non-creative stuff NEVER ends. But because my output has become so sporadic, I can't commit to hiring a full-time employee.

If I can hit my Patreon monthly goal, I plan to hire a full-time virtual assistant (or several part-timers) as well as a marketing company to handle all the stuff that keeps me away from writing.  

More time spent writing means more fiction for you. Let's make this happen!
1 of 1
                                                                      

Once upon a time--which is how so many stories begin--I thought the only authors using Patreon were those who could not make a living from their writing. *cough*

But times change. Publishing has changed. I've changed. In 2012 I experienced total creative burnout. It took me nearly a year of sabbatical to recover my energy and focus, my joy in the work. What I never did recover was my former speed at producing stories. I didn't want to accept that, so I kept scheduling myself as though I could simply shove through ideas and words by will power alone.

I can't.

The end result is that each year I fall farther and farther behind schedule while I try to rush through the stock pile of promised projects. I have to deliver a certain amount of work every couple of months simply to survive--and that's doable--but it means I can't take the time I need to really concentrate on making every book as rich and layered and satisfying as I'd like. As my readers would like. 

Financial necessity means I don't have the luxury to craft my stories the way I once did. 

Writing has never been an easy way to make a living. There's no guaranteed income--and there is no retirement plan. Adding to the problem is the fact that changes within the publishing industry mean every project takes longer to earn out than it once did. 

Patronage is an idea as old as art itself. When you support the artists you love with a few dollars each month, you make art and music and, yes, stories possible. Not only possible, better, because when the burden of financial anxiety (occasionally outright panic) is removed, joy and innovation return to the creative process. 

                                                                  

I'm still figuring it all about, but I think structuring this as a high-end subscription service might be easiest for me and most rewarding for you. I've tried to come up with a series of what I hope will be exclusive and enticing rewards for patrons at every level. I hope you'll consider joining me on this creative adventure.

Thank you so much for checking out my Patreon page!

Josh

Recent posts by Josh Lanyon

Tiers
To your good health!
$1 or more per month ∙ 23 patrons
Thank you sincerely for supporting the arts with your cold hard cash. It is because of readers like you, authors like me can continue to make a living writing stories that hopefully entertain and even--occasionally--sustain. 


  • Access to all Patron-exclusive posts--including the cover reveals and playlists
  • Your name in the back of my indie-produced ebooks during your period of patronage.  (Unless, of course, you'd prefer to remain anonymous.)
  • The edited, formatted version of our first Patreon endeavor Séance on a Summer's Night  on your 6th Month Anniversary.) 
Join $1 Tier
May the Sun Shine Warm Upon You
$3 or more per month ∙ 84 patrons
Thank you so much for your support. These small but steady donations give me a little breathing room so that I can take a little more time to make each story just that much better. 


  • Previous tier rewards
  • Any short stories published through regular channels during your subscription period 
  • Access to all novels serialized on Patreon (a minimum of 1 - 2 chapters will appear each month).   


Mainly by Moonlight, the first book in the new Bedknobs and Broomsticks trilogy begins in December!

Join $3 Tier
Here's to Roses and Lilies in Bloom
$5 or more per month ∙ 203 patrons
Maybe it doesn't seem like giving up a latte or a hamburger once a month could help change someone's life, but your monthly contribution fills in the gaps when I don't have a new story out or I need a few weeks more to make a story the best it can be. Thank you so much for your generosity.


  • Previous tier rewards 
  • All short stories, novellas and novels digitally published through regular channels during your subscription. 
  • First look at Works in Progress. 
  • Bonus materials such as story snippets, character interviews, scenes written from alternate POVs, prologues, epilogues, character notes, etc.
  • Finalized (edited and formatted) book files for the Patreon-produced serialized novels in the digital format of your choice: mobi, epub or pdf. 
Join $5 Tier
In Wine There is Wisdom
$10 or more per month ∙ 68 patrons
I know you can't afford to pledge $10.00 a month to every single writer you enjoy and would like to support. Please know how much I appreciate your kindness.


  • ALL previous tier rewards
  • Every two months your choice of any ebook from my existing digital backlist.
  • Every four months your choice of any print book from my existing backlist.**


**In order to keep this reward affordable, non-US patrons must pay shipping. 

Join $10 Tier
Goodnight and Joy Be With You All
$20 or more per month ∙ 43 patrons
I don't know how to thank you, but I plan on doing it with a personally signed birthday card mailed to you on (or more likely around) your special day. It's thanks to you that even in these days of unpredictable author earnings, I now sleep a little better at night. 


  • ALL previous tier rewards
  • Signed birthday card
  • Any month where I don't have a new digital release, your choice of any ebook from my existing backlist. 
  • A copy of any/all single title print books published during your subscription period.**
  • Access to real time new book release discussions (details TBD)
  • Every six months either a download code or access to the files of my indie-produced audio books 



 **In order to keep this reward affordable, non-US patrons must pay additional shipping.  

Join $20 Tier
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread
$35 or more per month ∙ 2 patrons
PLEASE NOTE: This is a new tier created to bridge the gap for readers who want a little more print and some audio, but don't need everything.



  • ALL previous tier rewards
  • Every three months your choice of any print title from my existing backlist.**
  •  Access to the files of the audio books produced specifically for Patreon. 



**In order to keep this reward affordable, non-US patrons must pay additional shipping.  

Join $35 Tier
And friends are best together
$50 or more per month ∙ 18 patrons
Because of your incredible generosity I might even be able to start saving enough for a rainy day or two. 


  • ALL PREVIOUS TIER REWARDS
  • Either a download code or access to the files of all my indie-produced audio books released during your subscription period.
  • Starting with your first paid month, every two months your choice of print book from my existing backlist**


**plus 10.00 off the cost of international shipping.

Join $50 Tier
To High Winds and Mermaids
$100 or more per month ∙ 5 patrons
 

Ask and ye shall receive. You get it all. Anything I do, you get for the asking. 


From sneak peeks to audio books, it's all yours. Along with my sincerest gratitude. I honestly don't know what to say other than thank you, thank you, thank you.


At this level of support you're obviously not here for the rewards, so let's leave it at this: every couple of months, I'm going to send you something I think you'll like.  Just a little special thank you.


 

Join $100 Tier
Going, going, gone
$250 or more per month ∙ 0 of 1 patrons
Not content with investing in the arts? Would you like to invest in your own writing career? 


I'm offering one round of manuscript evaluation on the first 15,000 words of your manuscript--any genre. (That's about .016666 per word.) You'll receive detailed (and knowledgeable)  feedback on pacing, conflict, dialog, character development, and plot structure. I will also answer one round of questions after you've received your initial evaluation.


You also receive all the other rewards that go with the $100. tier 



**This particular tier is always capped at 1 person per month. It would sort of defeat the purpose of this account if I end up too busy to do my own writing! 

Join $250 Tier
Commission your own short story
$1,500 or more per month ∙ 0 patrons
 

Yeah, you either really love my work or you've got some very specific tastes in short fiction. ;-) 


Want some control over my creative process? YOU'LL BE SORRY. No, seriously. It's okay, we can do this! You tell me what you want and I'll do my best to write it. 


Assuming I like the way the short story turns out, I'll even publish it with your name listed as my sole patron and muse in the credits.  

Join $1,500 Tier