Important: TFS Patreon Changes!

Introduction

Hi Everyone!

I hope you’re doing well.

First, I know that the title might come off as a little daunting, so please let me reassure you that the changes I’m about to outline are about lowering select tier prices and adding benefits.

It’s nothing unsettling like in Fernweh. 🌲

Before we get into that, I would like to share a quick story. My grandmother enlisted my help to make a cake, but not just any old cake; she desired a black forest trifle. (Which technically isn’t a cake because of all the layers…) It’s a dark chocolate sponge layered with kirsch-soaked maraschino cherries and a fluffy, cream cheese blend that helps to cut the sweetness. I helped as she asked from placing the order for the ingredients to assembling the black, white, and red layers. (By the way, recipe and pictures to follow!) 

It all went well, but I was again reminded of how things are when I saw the cost of the eggs and the special, reduced fat cream cheese she specifically wanted even though we were making a dessert. 😌

Globally, I know that there has been some economic hardship; things are tight. I also do read the anonymous exit surveys on Patreon with an open mind and empathetic heart. While I will always be sincerely grateful for any and all of your support, I want to ensure that the TFS Patreon tiers reflect my gratitude. They should be sensitive, fair, and worthwhile to all. It’s because of this that I’m making changes where I can.

Changes

-Red Oak tiers and above will now receive Discord benefits to a private TFS server that is reader-run. The mods and bots are being finalized, but it is all set up and will take effect in the near future.

-Red Oak tiers and above will now receive early access to Book Two’s demo chapters. Some tiers will get it earlier for a longer period of time.

-Pine $3 tier patrons will now be charged $2, but new Pine Patrons will need to make two successive pledges to receive one character portrait. Old Pine patrons will still receive their portrait immediately. 

-Red Oak $8 tier patrons will now be charged $6.

-Evergreen $13 tier patrons will now be charged $11.

-Hickory patrons will remain the same at $20, but you will see this tier’s benefits more clearly from the content offerings. An exclusive Discord channel, more time with the Book Two demo, and there will be a TFS Art Poll on February's Content Schedule. I will be introducing TFS: Trail Mix Side Stories that will be published every quarter; the first one will be in March.

Hopefully, these changes seem equitable, if not exciting to you!

Next Steps

Unfortunately, Patreon won’t allow me to simply lower the prices. It’s not that easy, and I’m sorry to say that I will need your patience to help apply these changes and added benefits.

Current patrons within the Pine, Red Oak, and Evergreen tiers will now get the word ‘Old’ added to the tier name because I will phase out these tiers by March 1st 2023. You will still receive all of your benefits, but your next subscription should not be made to this ‘Old’ tier. In order to delete a tier, the tier must be free of patrons, which is why I have to do this phase out plan.

I will be creating new Pine, Red Oak, and Evergreen tiers with new benefits and cheaper costs.

If you have plans of continuing to support the TFS Patreon in the future, you will need to relocate out of the ‘Old’ tiers. Some of you may use the ‘downgrade’ feature to go from $8, ‘Old Red Oak’ to paying $6 for the new ‘Red Oak’ tier on your next renewal. Others might switch from an ‘Old Pine’ to a ‘Red Oak’ thanks to the cost savings.

Luckily, my Patreon opened on January 5th, so I will be sharing this news before any of you have had to pay twice. 

The new tiers are available now for you to make the change.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I’m still learning this system and how best to offer fair benefits to my patrons, so I truly do appreciate your understanding and patience.

Thank you again for all of your support! 💚

Best wishes, Aelsa