mermaidcafe is creating creative survival
September 11, 2018 10:01 AM Subscribe
I’ve wanted to do a Patreon for my writing and art, and I think I’ve narrowed my focus to a theme that really excites me. I’d love to get feedback and ideas for fine-tuning it/figuring out reward structure.
I’m widely published in a range of genres. My MFA is in poetry so I've published a lot there, and I’ve also published a lot of music journalism, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and book reviews. I also have a lot of editorial experience. Visual art is a newer thing for me. I make abstract art in ink and watercolor, in addition to making decorative items. I have my share of fans and repeat customers, but I definitely have more name recognition in poetry.
I know Patreons are most successful when the creator already has followers, so I’ve been struggling with how to incorporate my range of work into one campaign. I finally hit on an idea that I like and can be versatile with, and I think others would be interested.
I’d like to devote my campaign to discussing what I call “creative survial.” I can talk about that using my question history here alone. In the past few years, those questions reveal my struggles with chronic illness, a housefire, ptsd, bipolar II depression, loss of a parent, poverty, and more. But what’s equally present is that throughout that time I also asked questions about writing and art making and sustaining creative work under any circumstance. I’ve learned so much about how to use my creativity to cope, whether it’s a game I made up to deal with motion sickness or writing fiction that contains my truth. I’m well into writing a memoir that addresses a lot of those themes.
For the Patreon, I’d write blog posts on those topics and would also feature interviews with others that are pertinent, plus I could include excerpts from writing. I could also offer artwork, like hi-res scans of paintings or photographs, as well as sending physical objects through the mail. (I am still figuring out how I can relate visual art to the concept and would welcome ideas.) I don’t expect to become Patreon royalty but I like the idea of making a little extra money while I explore this subject that I love and growing my platform for my memoir.
I’d love to know how that reads to you as a campaign idea. Is it either too general or too specific? In what ways could it be expanded or compressed? Is there a better term than "creative survival?" I'm especially looking for reward ideas. I have some good things to offer, but am still working out how much to offer and how much it's worth monetarily. I’ve been reading a lot about Patreon in general, but I’m eager to hear thoughts on this campaign in particular.
I’m widely published in a range of genres. My MFA is in poetry so I've published a lot there, and I’ve also published a lot of music journalism, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and book reviews. I also have a lot of editorial experience. Visual art is a newer thing for me. I make abstract art in ink and watercolor, in addition to making decorative items. I have my share of fans and repeat customers, but I definitely have more name recognition in poetry.
I know Patreons are most successful when the creator already has followers, so I’ve been struggling with how to incorporate my range of work into one campaign. I finally hit on an idea that I like and can be versatile with, and I think others would be interested.
I’d like to devote my campaign to discussing what I call “creative survial.” I can talk about that using my question history here alone. In the past few years, those questions reveal my struggles with chronic illness, a housefire, ptsd, bipolar II depression, loss of a parent, poverty, and more. But what’s equally present is that throughout that time I also asked questions about writing and art making and sustaining creative work under any circumstance. I’ve learned so much about how to use my creativity to cope, whether it’s a game I made up to deal with motion sickness or writing fiction that contains my truth. I’m well into writing a memoir that addresses a lot of those themes.
For the Patreon, I’d write blog posts on those topics and would also feature interviews with others that are pertinent, plus I could include excerpts from writing. I could also offer artwork, like hi-res scans of paintings or photographs, as well as sending physical objects through the mail. (I am still figuring out how I can relate visual art to the concept and would welcome ideas.) I don’t expect to become Patreon royalty but I like the idea of making a little extra money while I explore this subject that I love and growing my platform for my memoir.
I’d love to know how that reads to you as a campaign idea. Is it either too general or too specific? In what ways could it be expanded or compressed? Is there a better term than "creative survival?" I'm especially looking for reward ideas. I have some good things to offer, but am still working out how much to offer and how much it's worth monetarily. I’ve been reading a lot about Patreon in general, but I’m eager to hear thoughts on this campaign in particular.
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If your art is not related, and your audience isn't already prepped and excited to see your art and writing together, I would start with the Patreon focusing on your writing and incorporate your art later, IF your patrons are interested and respond positively. You said you *think* people will be interested. . .ask them! Publish some free posts with your art later on and see what people think. Patreon is a two-way conversation, remember :)
Your campaign topic sounds fine, if you focus on your writing. For writers, Patreon rewards often take the form of exclusive content, access to early drafts of longer works, and Q&As. Don't set your prices too high to start with. Check out other writer's Patreons and research how much they are asking.
You are allowed to have more than one Patreon! If you really want to start one for your art, do it!
posted by ananci at 5:13 PM on September 11, 2018 [3 favorites]