In April 2009, I published my first nonfiction blog post on writing, freelancing, and the publishing industry. Since then, my readers have supported my weekly Thursday posts through a PayPal donate button. A lot of supporters have asked me to start a Patreon page.  So here it is!

I blog weekly about the craft of writing, the business of writing, and the changes in the publishing industry. Except for a much-needed hiatus in 2014, I have not missed a week in eight years. I hope to continue for seven more.

Often, I blog about whatever hits the industry news sources. Every now and then, however, I write a book on my blog. I started this practice with The Freelancer's Survival Guide in 2009, and continued it with several other books, including The Pursuit of Perfection and Discoverability. In October of 2016, I published Closing The Deal...On Your Terms, a book that covers everything from agents to contracts to negotiation.

These books wouldn't exist without the blog. As a thank-you, I always keep the original blog posts up for free. The books are a little different than the blog posts—I organize the books better, and update information that readers often provide in the comments.

The Blog
The blog appears for free on my website every Thursday. I believe the information in the blog helps new and established writers better negotiate their careers. Not every writer can afford to support the blog financially, so I ask the blog's readers to share the blog with their writing groups and other organizations. The blog now has a worldwide readership.

The Cost
Much as I would love to write the nonfiction blog for free, I cannot do so. It's too research-intensive. I spend time investigating the changes, learning new things, and doing some actual reporting (as I did in 2011 with the changes in royalty statements from traditional publishers).

Readers have funded these efforts. Honestly, the blog would have died long ago if not for reader funding. I am supremely grateful for all of the support. I cannot do this blog alone.

Patreon and Crowd-funding
I initially put off adding Patreon to my requests for blog funding because, as a working fiction writer, I didn't think I had time to do the extras that would make supporting my blog worthwhile for a patron. However, some blog readers gave me great suggestions (I love you folks!) and I have figured out how to make this worthwhile for all of us.

The Rewards
Sometimes I finish the blog right before my deadline. Generally, however, I finish the blog days to weeks ahead of time. Patreon supporters at the $5-per-month level will receive the blog as soon as I finish it. I haven't forgotten you $1-per-month folks, though. You'll get at least one blog post per month ahead of time.

I think the other reward levels are self-explanatory—except for the $500-per-month level. Really, that's a one-time donation. That's why I'm calling it the Jump-in, Jump-Out Reward. I've learned over the past seven years that sometimes my blog makes such a difference in a writer's business or financial success that they want to share. Generally, I urge them to pay forward, but not everyone wants to do that. So, here's a one-time opportunity to give, if that works for you. Jump in one month, pay once, and then leave the following month, no questions asked!

One other explanation: I only include books published by WMG Publishing or by me. I can guarantee you'll get those rewards. If I were to promise some of the traditionally published books, I might not be able to fulfill. So that's why I've included that caveat.

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!
I can't do this blog without support. So thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot express how grateful I am for all that you do.