A question for patrons, on goals.
Hello all! I hope this post finds you well. I’ll keep try to keep this short and to the point - I don’t want to take up too much of anybody’s time.
I have a question for all my current patrons, about goals, chapter lengths, and chapter frequency.
When I wrote the current milestone goals on Patreon - $200 dollars a month for the promise of a month or two of 2 chapters per week - Katalepsis was in a very different place: chapters were shorter, closer to 4-5k words. Current chapters are very rarely less than 6k and the most recent broke 8 thousand words (!!!), which was supposed to be my upper limit and took a mammoth 10 hours to edit. But the story itself demanded that climax and cliffhanger.
I almost never expected to reach that $200 goal, but now that my Patreon is less than $50 away from that, I am forced to ask the question: did you subscribe for the promise of 2 chapters per week?
To be blunt, 2 chapters per week at the current size and complexity of each chapter is probably not possible for me right now. At 2 per week, chapters would need to be shorter, I’d need some run-up time, and they would likely cut off at artificial points rather than cliffhangers or natural scene ends - but, if that is why patrons have subscribed, I will absolutely do my best to achieve that. I don’t want to disappoint you all if that’s why you decided to pledge. My primary aim is narrative satisfaction for you readers, not just sheer weight of words.
On the other hand, if I don’t switch to 2 chapters per week, I want switch away from goals to instead give patrons benefits for their support right away.
Specifically, I’m looking at either next weekend or the following (April 25th or May 2nd), giving patrons access to one chapter ahead.
This wouldn’t be a bonus chapter, but a chapter in advance of what I publish on the site. For example, while everyone else is reading chapter 8.2, you’ll have access to 8.3, which would go up on the public site a week later. A permanent bonus for subscribing.
If this works, if this is popular, I could even try to give patrons two chapters ahead, perhaps tiered, I don’t know yet. I could publish chapters ahead as a bonus, as and when I complete them. An experiment!
You can probably tell that I’d prefer the second option. The plan is in place, and I’m ready to begin. But this is why I’m asking, I don’t want to break a promise, even an implicit one.
Two chapters per week, shorter and less full - or one chapter ahead now, and possible acceleration in the future? Dear reader, I seek your input.
Comments (21)
Giving patreon supporters access to advance chapters seems to work well for webnovels.
I'm also in the 'I just wanted to support!' group. I want what's best for the story and author, so abandoning the two chapters per week thing is perfectly fine with me~ I am a little wary of the effect on comments and discussion, but early access to the next chapter sounds like a good strategic choice for an incentive.
Thank you for the input! I too am wary about early access stifling general discussion, so I've been trying to figure out the best way to make it happen without getting in the readers' way.
Whatever's best for you is what's best for us! I didn't support this patreon for anything but "hey this web novel super owns" so anything else is just extra imo
Thank you so much! I'm just glad you enjoy the story.
I didn't even realize/know you were offering an incentive when I started donating XD To be frank, I kind of am leery of patrons getting early access? It kind of ends up leaning discussion towards patrons, rather than regular readers. I'd be okay with no benefits at all personally, but I guess people want something for their support...maybe Discord rewards? I don't know how that would work...
Thank you for the input! Yes, this is really my only reservation about offering early chapter access to Patrons. I've been wracking my brains about the best way to preserve as much discussion as possible, perhaps some method with wordpress content-gating so Patrons' comments are all still there when the chapter goes public later on. Not sure yet!
I'll echo what a other have said. I subscribed to support a story I really enjoy. Helping you be able to tell this story is all the reward I was looking for. Please do what helps you create best. I support other writers as well and they occasionally will need to skip an update, post late, or post a partial update. I'm glad to say those communities, like this one, support their author in doing what allows them to provide the best story they can.
Thank you so much! I'm really grateful for such supportive readers. Looks like it's going to be early chapters for all of you!
HI there, great story! I just wanted to say that ultimately I subscribed so I could get more Katalepsis content. Whether that means more content, or longer chapters, or whatever, that's what I'm here for. If you feel like you can give more content at the same level, I would personally love that, but if you feel that the story would suffer I would rather you stick to what's currently being done.
Thank you very much! There will certainly be more content, one way or the other.
I gave you my money because you deserved my money, but getting early access is a nice and common benefit. Very good, I say.
Thank you for the input, and also the support!
I honestly don't care if there are any benefits! I subscribed just to support the story. I do thiink you shouldn't try to write more than you currently do, because its already a lot. One author I follow gives the patrons the chapter just one day ahead, and that would suit me fine. I enjoy the after-chapter comments and banter among the readers and don't want to lose that.
I really enjoy the after-chapter comments too! I think some of that has moved to the Discord channel recently, but the last thing I want is to pressure people to use that if they don't like it. However I do extra chapters, I'll find a way that works so people can still comment as much as they like. Thank you!
I think you should focus on what works best for the story. Whether that is one large chapter or two smaller chapters per week is up to you, the author. I'm also of the mind that 1 chapter ahead of the public is the ideal model for getting the sweet patreon bux, but that's just my opinion, again.
Sweet Patreon bux sure are nice ... but yes, thank you!
Second option (one chapter ahead) is easily the best option. It doesn't push you too far or change up how you write/tell the story and gives a tangible benefit for being a patron.
Thank you! I think it's indeed going to be one chapter ahead, looking at the other responses.
If for whats best for the story. It's just too good to compromise for another chapter a week. And being a chapter ahead is always a good way to hook me into paying on patreon, at least. I would go with one chapter ahead.
Thank you for the input!