Other sites to post work on + patreon

[WillowTree]

Hello,

So I'm still new to this site. I've seen people talk about promoting my work on other sites, like instagram. How does that work for novels? Does anyone have a link to their novel instagram or other social media site. Also, besides Wattpad (because I've heard it's pretty hard to get readers over there) is there any other site you all post your novels on?

Also, when is a good time to start a patreon? I was thinking once I reached 250 subscribers (if I do!) I might look into starting one, but again, as a novelist as opposed to artist, I'm not really sure what I could offer on a future patreon. Could any novelists post link to their patreons so I can see what kind of rewards you offer?

And seriously, I would love any other advice you could give me.

Thank you!

[SagaHolmgaard]

Well, I've come across people who use instagram for their poetry. They use nice photographs or a paper texture and add their poems with a pretty font. I'm sure you could do some similar graphics with paragraphs of your novel that you think would be attention-grabbing.

For when to start a Patreon... I don't know, I think it really depends more on interaction rather than subscribers. You could have 1000 subscribers that don't really interact, or you could have less than 100 but you're lucky and some of them are super engaged and willing to pay for extra perks. So it's really a case-by-case basis

(I'm neither a writer or someone with a patreon though so maybe someone else will give a more in-depth answer lol)

[joannekwan]

It's always a bit harder for novels on visually-driven sites like Instagram, but you can make aesthetically pleasing graphics with a site like Canva to post, and they have different templates for various sites with exact dimensions.

like here's a quick look at some of my old designs. Each has a quote from my story.

Or if you'd like, you could commission artists to draw your characters or a scene and get their permission to post their work on your account.

And any time is a good time to start a Patreon. Never know when you snag a dedicated reader that wants to support you. They could be your one subscriber for all you know! Just have like one exclusive post done for each tier you offer and then don't make any new posts until you actually have a Patron.
As for what to offer: early-access pages, AU scenes, writing advice, process work, NSFW extras, etc.

[lillyssil]

Hi,
So... It's not that long ago that I first publised on Tapas, in other words: I might not be off that much help.
Anyway I use Instagram for Art and sometimes I promote my novel there too.
https://www.instagram.com/lizu.20/
I heard that some people post their novels on https://www.webnovel.com but I, myself am not that much of a fan from webnovel.com, but who knows maybe it is exactly what you are searching for.
But there are pleanty of other websites where you can post your novel. For Example Sweek: https://sweek.com/
I am sure you will find something.
As for Patreon: I know nothing about that sorry.

[WillowTree]

Thank you for adding in those visuals! That's a big help! I think I'm going to schedule my next two chapters and then look into starting an instagram! Maybe I'll look into commissioning some art once I hit a milestone... I'll have to think on it for sure!

You have a good point with the patreon! I think I'll still wait for a some more subscribers, or maybe once I have 10 chapters out, and then set that up. That way I'm not waiting too long but I also have enough work out for people to get a good idea of if they want to give more financial support or not.

I'd actually thought of saving a couple of my opposite POV chapters for patreon. There are some that I think the story needs to enhance it's enjoyability, but I mostly wrote them just to keep myself in the second MC's headset as I was writing.

[WillowTree]

I've never heard of sweek! I remember first seeing about webnovel a couple months ago but I completely forgot about it since. I'll have to look into both and see if they're something I'm looking for. Thank you

[WolfUnderTheMoon89]

Im not very sure about patreon.... I would say over 1k subs. that's the moment id concider it.
as people can also tip you here, I don't see what extra patreon would bring

[WillowTree]

I was mostly considering it because I know it's important to diversify income when it comes to content creation! If something happened to Tapas, or if they suddenly raised how the requirements for tipping works, or if they decide BL isn't allowed anymore, etc then I'd still have patreon as a place any followers I have could connect with me and my income wouldn't be completely gone.

Again, I talk as though I think I'm going to be able to make a killing at this. I know it's very hard to get noticed and have people enjoy your work enough to want to give you money!

[WolfUnderTheMoon89]

I'm very confident that your story can get book, it's really good!
Yeah, I just rely on mu regular work income xD
So this, through tapas, is just an awesome bonus!
The goal ultimately would be to be able to quit my day job, but.... well, that's gonna be a longshot

And from what I know, people are pretty generous on this platform with the ink

[WillowTree]

Oh goodness, the dream is being able to quit the day job! Or even just working less than 50-60 hours a week! (Though my job does allow me to check in on these forums throughout the shift so I really shouldn't complain too much). Just imagining the extra time and effort I could put into my works Then it really wouldn't be a problem to have two books going at once while working on a third!

Thank you so much I'm always doubting what I'm writing and worried it sounds good in my head but is actually just bad.

I can't wait until I'm at the point that ink unlocks for me!

[WolfUnderTheMoon89]

You'll get there, don't worry
getting those tips make you feel 🥰🥰🥰

[MattRAuthor]

Hiya, I use patreon for my books, but I'm not the best with it. I mostly offer early access to chapters, extras (AU's, alt POV's and backstory) and art if I have the money to commission someone. I also offer an exclusive novel on my highest tier.
I'd say 250 is a pretty good place to start a patreon, especially if you have a lot of active readers, just don't forget to promote it a lot. There's that little ad space you can use at the bottom of your episodes, make a little graphic advertising your patreon and chuck the link in the author notes.
I'll link mine so you can have a look at it. Hope I helped

Matt R. is creating LGBTQ+ Fantasy Novels | Patreon