How Readers Can Help Writers
Fans and readers often ask me things like, “Which version of your book should I buy?” and “Is it better for you if I buy a book on Amazon or from the bookstore?” and variations of these. And you know what? I appreciate those questions, because they indicate to me that today’s readers are far more savvy to the fact that even their favorite best-selling writers — even ones who have had movies made out of their books and such — are usually living month-to-month with no health insurance and one foot over the poverty line.
Now, I can’t speak for my peers, but let me break down for you ways that you can directly help me:
1. Patreon — Come December, Patreon will be my biggest source of annual income for the second year in a row. You can sponsor me there with subscriptions ranging from $1 per month to $10 per month. I receive that money on the 5th of every month.
2. Buying a paperback book, e-book, or audiobook of mine. Which is basically any of the paperbacks, e-books, or audiobooks that you can find on this page. The venue you buy them from doesn’t impact my financial bottom line. Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Audible, or direct from publisher — i get paid the same amount of royalties. Deadite Press and Crossroads send me a royalty check every month, as do Amazon, B&N and Kobo (for my few self-published titles). Apex and the mainstream publishers send me one every quarter. In the interest of full disclosure, I should specify that if you buy a used paperback or download the ebook from a piracy site or listen to a pirated audiobook then you are not helping me at all. If your financial situation is such that those are your only options, I get it. I do. But maybe consider your local library instead? (And I don’t care so much about the used books, but the piracy shit pisses me off).
3. Pre-ordering a limited edition hardcover. These days, 90% of my limited editions are published via Thunderstorm Books or Cemetery Dance. They pay me all the money up front in advance, so I’m not waiting for royalties. But by pre-ordering when the book is available, you are making sure they invested wisely in me, and thus making sure I get paid in advance for the next book.
4. Maybe you’re in a situation where you just can’t afford to do those things right now. That’s fine. There are still ways you can help. The number one way is to subscribe to my YouTube Channel and watch some videos there. My channel is now monetized, so I get a fraction of a cent every time one of my videos is viewed. Last month i made 8 bucks. That 8 bucks bought my kid lunch.
5. Review my books on Amazon, Goodreads, social media, at your local book club, and anywhere else you can do so. It costs you nothing to type up a quick 4-sentence 5-star (if you’re feeling generous) review of my latest book. And those reviews are crucial.
6. Listen to my podcasts. Now, to be clear — I don’t get paid for The Horror Show with Brian Keene or Defenders Dialogue. My staff get paid, but I don’t. Maybe one day advertisers will buy enough that I get paid, too, but the fact is that advertisers aren’t paying a lot for podcasts — any podcast. Neither do I get paid for Brian Keene Radio. (In fact, Brian Keene Radio costs me $10 more than it makes every month). But all three bring me joy to make, and it is my hope they will bring you joy to listen to. And in truth, all three serve as excellent megaphones when it comes to promoting my stuff. I can directly trace sales of my books back to the podcast, so in a way, it does pay me.
Fact of the matter is, there’s an economic recession coming. This guide will come in handy. So, there you have it. The quickest, best way is Patreon. The least helpful way is the podcasts. And pirating my shit does not help at all. Regardless of how you support me, know that I appreciate it. You keep reading them and I’ll keep writing them (albeit a little more slowly than I used to).