Innovation is a constant series of creative disruptions. When new ideas meet an established system that’s no longer fit for purpose, the result is a shakeup of the order, followed by a new status quo.
That’s what happened over a decade ago when Amazon put a Kindle in everyone’s hands, then removed the barriers to enter the world’s top book market. Overnight, everyone had a library in his pocket. That innovation disrupted the big New York publishers’ paper distribution monopoly and gave us newpub. One result is that the past 15 years have seen indie authors’ earnings overtake oldpub authors’. If you want make more than minimum wage in the post-oldpub market, your best move is newpub.
Yet all is not well in paradise. Astute observers have seen signs that we may be on the verge of a post-Amazon age. It’s not just the arbitrary interference with infidel authors’ business. It’s that the site which boasted the internet’s third biggest search engine has been getting progressively more broken with time. Trying to find a book you want – one that’s not being shilled in exchange for thousands in ad money – even if you know the exact title and author, is now a frustrating ordeal.
The same holds true on the author’s end. Visibility was always a challenge. But in the Wild West days the right marketing approach could get a book an orange tag without spending a dime on ads. Those days are gone, as KDP is now essentially pay to play.
Luckily, help is here in the form of another new idea – which, as often happens, is an update of an old one.
If you’ve followed this blog the past couple of years, odds are you’ve heard me talk about neopatronage. In simple terms, it’s a return to the classic model that minimizes reliance on middlemen to connect audiences and creators directly. Instead of a passive role wherein they wait to consume content as authors release it through megacorp storefronts, readers take an active role more like Renaissance patrons. They fund the entertainment they want directly, and in return, the author lets them inside his creative process.
Moment of candor, here: I’ve experimented with patronage strategies over the past few years, and the results have blown away my Amazon earnings. With more stability than the fickle KDP market.
I’ve never been wedded to any one method of bringing my work to readers. One feature that distinguishes newpub from oldpub is that the former doesn’t let ideology drive creativity. Instead, newpub has always treated publishing as what it is – a business.
In the same spirit, I’ve decided to put up or shut up and follow where the smart business leads.
That’s right, I’m taking the overdue step of going all-in on neopatronage.
Announcing the launch of my full neopatronage experience on Patreon:
I’m Brian Niemeier, #1 best selling author and Campbell Award for Best New Writer finalist. My second book Souldancer won the first ever Dragon Award for Best Horror Novel, and its sequel became a Dragon Award finalist for Best Science Fiction Novel.
I’m a vocal advocate of the neopatronage model that’s bypassing gatekeepers to connect authors and readers directly. So I’m excited to be on Patreon, where I can bring my patrons exclusive content, first looks at new projects, and the chance to get involved.
Join the neopatronage revolution. Sign up to get exclusive posts, behind-the-curtain access to new projects, and a direct line to yours truly.
As one of my cherished patrons, here’s what you can expect:
Free books
The lower tiers offer free copies of my select eBooks. Signed print copies become available at higher tiers. Subscribe at the highest level to get one of my print books, signed, every month.
Exclusive posts
In addition to my regular blogging here at Kairos, I’ll be posting regularly on Patreon. Subscribe to get access.
Patron-only Discord Q&As
Fans of Geek Gab and my guest appearances on other live streams will be glad to hear of my return to regular streaming. I’ll be holding a live AMA each month on Discord to talk shop, pop culture, or whatever else the chat asks about. Server access is for patrons only. $10 a month secures your ongoing reservation for the live chat. $50 gets you a recurring seat as my co-host on the panel. Save your spot now.
Private group chat
For those newpub whiz kids who want more direct, focused face time with me, there will also be a monthly hour-long group chat. If you want to discuss the ins and outs of the writing business, brainstorm book ideas with fellow pros, or talk marketing strategy with a #1 bestseller, this is your chance. So take it now.
And of course, no neopatronage service would be complete without …
Direct patronage
This is it, the heart and soul of neopatronage. Maybe you’ve reviewed my books on Amazon, given me feedback on Twitter, or even claimed a Build-a-Mech perk on Indiegogo. All are varying degrees of reader input. But now, for the first time, I’m going full Willy Wonka and opening the doors of my story factory to avid readers who are ready to become elite patrons.
Tired of waiting for the Amazon launch to read my books? For just 25 bucks a month, not only will you get to read my captivating tales before anyone else – even Indiegogo backers – you’ll get alpha-level access to my projects before they’re even done! Come into my workshop and feast your eyes on each month’s worth of my writing. See the birth of each book from notes to outline to first draft. And not only that, you’ll get the chance to give structured feedback to influence the story’s final form.
As if that wasn’t enough to keep even the most voracious bibliophile satisfied, I also plan to share editing works-in-progress from author clients who give permission. So not only will you get to watch an award-winning author at work, you’ll get an intimate look at what a pro editor does and how he does it. And yes, I’ll pass along your feedback to those authors, as well.
Lend your unique insight to improve not just my books, but those of countless other newpub authors! The culture needs you, so join my growing list of elite patrons now.
Oh, and if you needed a more concrete incentive, let’s take a look at what I’m working on right now …
We’ve had a blast these past years playing with giant robots.
But now I’m returning to my first love.
The breakout series that started it all and helped launch the Dragon Awards.
By authorial decree, let the long-awaited prequel series to my acclaimed Soul Cycle commence!
An outcast boy with a terrible secret …
A disillusioned priest seeking release from fate …
The restless son of a fading race seeking his destiny …
Thrown together by chance, their historic quest will span a continent. And change all worlds forever.
Zebrin wanders the human-dominated mainland, having fled his people’s rigid island refuge.
A stranger on a strange continent, he yearns to find himself in those his race shuns.
But when an ambitious emperor drafts him for a harrowing mission to the farthest ends of the world, will he discover and embrace his divine calling? Or will the kingdom he was ordained to save fall?
The answer lies in the Burned Book.
This first of four planned Soul Cycle prequels is now in process. Patrons have already begun signing up to see the first month’s worth of work on this highly anticipated novel. Join them now to help shape the course of this monumental saga!
And oh, yeah, did I mention I’ve brought Marcelo back for some more mind-warping covers?
Because he’s back.
Don’t miss a moment of the neopatronage adventure. As if it wasn’t clear by now, you will kick yourself if you blow the chance to get in on the ground floor. I’m serious. You guys can’t even imagine what I have planned. And I can’t wait to share it with you! So …
Not keen on doing business with Patreon? That’s understandable. But don’t worry, I didn’t forget about you. Join my SubscribeStar page to get all the same benefits you’d find on the Patreon.
What fun we shall have together!
I had to ditch both Patreon and Subscribestar. Several years’ worth of plugging on all my social networks resulted in a nice, round figure of subscribers. Even an interview on Radio Maria England didn’t boost anything.
It probably helps to be recognised beforehand.
Or maybe I need to less of a Sperg!
What main benefit did you offer to patrons?
On a reader side, having a website where you list links to the various storefront pages helps out tremendously.
I’ve had that situation where I’ve had the exact name and title when trying to find a book and not having it come up on Amazon nevertheless. (This is truly hell when it comes to indie comic books.) Now that I’ve gotten through the XSeed books, it’s great that I can just come to this site and click on the relevant links for the Soul Cycle books without having to worry about whether the Amazon search algorithm will be merciful to me today.
That’s important sales data. Thank you.