Future Stories and Patrons

Hi all, one discussion amongst some Patrons has been whether I will release stories on Patreon for Patrons before they are released on Literotica. Given some recent events I think it best if I address this clearly now.

First, that was the plan. I wanted to release the stories on here the moment they were submitted to Lit so that Patrons could view them three days earlier. However a few things have meant that this is, at least for now, not viable.

Most important is that, as some of you may remember, not too long ago I was made aware of someone stealing my stories from Lit to sell them as their own on Amazon. This, with the help of Amazon, was resolved and the stories taken down due to copyright violation. Basically Lit protects all stories under copyright and so to avoid this kind of thing having the stories published on Lit FIRST protects my stories from this kind of thing happening. (After that I, but no one else, am free to post the stories anywhere else and that protection remains). While having the stories on Patreon would still, technically, offer copyright protection (see the U.S. and U.K. copyright laws if you are interested) I feel that Lit would be better.

Moreover, Lit's process of publishing a story usually takes three days after submission. However, if they want some changes made then this can take longer. Given how long the new story is, though I do not foresee any problems with my story if this were to happen with the new story the above concern about copyright would be made worse given the extra time.

Finally, Patreon recently updated their guidelines and while my stories do not, and never will, violate those guidelines, Literotica does allow some stories to be published that Patreon would not. In all of my stories the characters are, and will always be, over 18, and Lit requires this rule upheld also, as does Patreon. However Lit, and myself, allow stories regarding blackmail, reluctance, and incest, which Patreon does not. So while I would never write a story with a character under 18, nor about rape, and nor about bestiality, a story about a boss blackmailing an employee's wife, or an incest story would not be able to be published on Patreon and thus not prior to publication on Lit.

To avoid all problems, then, until I work out how best to do this I will not post stories on Patreon that Lit would allow that Patreon wouldn't and I will also not post a story on here before it has been published on Lit. While I know this is a shame I hope you all understand.

Given that this Patreon is completely optional and everyone still has access to my stories for free on Lit, while I truly appreciate everyone's support I think this is reasonable.

Having said that I WILL still be working on things for Patrons that thanks them for their support. For instance, I will be looking in to the 'tier benefits' of the pledges that I outlined, posting deleted scenes on here for Patrons Only, updating on ideas or what is coming in ways I won't do in the general updates, having discussions/AMAs with Patrons, and possibly posting un-cut versions of stories that are on Lit to here (if I have any). And so on. (I will also continuing looking for new ideas and listening to your suggestions for such ideas). Further, I want to try to get some kind of community interaction going with Patrons/readers of my stories, not only to discuss with me but with each other.

Anyway, the point is that I will be doing the best I can to think of ways to say thank you (other than typing it) to all of you. Your support is appreciated.

The final thing I want to mention is that, given that Patreon reports that people often pledge and then delete the pledge (i.e. gain access to Patron Only material and before they are charged delete the pledge - which given that this Patreon is only here as an option for readers to support me if they wish is odd to me), not only would this add to the above reasons for not publishing here before Lit, but also this means that I have made a change to how I will implement acknowledging my Patrons with my stories.

Depending on how many Patrons I end up having it may, of course, be difficult to thank everyone personally at the beginning of a story. Moreover, thanking everyone who pledges given the above scam would mean taking note of pledges prior to publication may be misleading as to who should be thanked and not. So, what I have decided is that if I can I will thank people personally on a story, or give a general thank you to Patrons at the beginning of a story. I will then post on here and on my Lit profile a list of the usernames from here I am thanking (please do let me know if you do NOT want your username to be included and I will never do so. I do not know real names and would not, if I did, ever mention them. It would just be your Patreon username. But do let me know.). BUT I will do so retroactively on the following story. So, for example, there will be no names for the new story, but I will take note of those who were genuine for this story and they will receive the thank you post for their support of the new story when the next story is released, and so on with each story. This will allow me to know who deserves appreciation and who does not and express that in a genuine way.

I want you all, and those who have not pledged, to know that I appreciate your support. I, of course, appreciate all of my readers whether they pledge or not. But what I mean is that I want to acknowledge those who have pledged in a way that all can see.

I hope this makes things a little clearer and that you all understand. Feedback and suggestions are always appreciated.

Back to writing.

~Shadow~