The TL/DR is this: the Eclectic Projects Patreon is going on a payment hiatus in January while I figure out what it’ll look like in 2022, and give folks a chance to decide whether they’d like to keep supporting the new model.
More details in a few weeks, once I’m more confident of the new direction, but I suspect it’ll involve pulling back on the idea that “I’ll do some stuff” and focus on a more concrete deliverable.
I’m currently testing the idea of doing a small 60-page magazine every month, featuring a mix of longer fiction, short vignettes, and a non-fiction essay. Approximately 10,000 words per month, which based upon my tracking for the last few months, is approximately the word count I can reliably produce every month while working a demanding day job that’s prone to unexpected bouts of required and non-negotiable overtime.
I’m still hedging my bets about what the pivot will be because a) I’m not committing until I’m a few issues ahead, and currently I’ve got a lot of issues drafted but not ready to release, and b) I’m quietly, slowly searching for a new job that’s more compatible with my goals and vision for life, because it’s become clear the current gig is a bit of a mismatch despite being near perfect on paper. I expect it won’t hit full steam until May, when the festival actually runs, but I’m very much trying to avoid being there long-term and searching for jobs takes time.
That said, I’m mentioning it because it’s probable this will be the focus next year, even if I switch the Patreon over to “per project” rather than monthly.