Inquiry

(Dream-Quest posts will resume next week with some thoughts about the Great Ones, the gods of the Dreamlands. Today, I wanted to talk about something much more mundane.)

One of the things that has surprised me most over the years is how much Grognardia has grown beyond anything I could have imagined when I began writing it back in 2008. Multiple times a month, I hear from people who’ve been reading for years and from others who’ve only recently stumbled across the site. To all of you: thank you. Your comments, messages, and encouragement are what have kept me writing all these years and, I hope, will keep me writing for many more to come.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how to make the Patreon side of things more meaningful — not just for me, but for you. Right now, there are a little over 170 members here, but only about a third are paid supporters. That’s perfectly fine; I’m genuinely glad for everyone who’s interested enough to follow along, whether or not you’re in a position to contribute financially. Still, I find myself wondering: what would make becoming a paid patron worthwhile for you?

My goal has never been to put Grognardia behind a paywall. I’ll continue to write as I always have — regularly, publicly, and freely available to all. However, I would like to make this Patreon a more vibrant extension of that work — a place where readers who want to go a little deeper can do so and where their support directly helps sustain the pace, depth, and breadth of what I do.

Lately, I've been using Patreon as a place to share my work on Dream-Quest and I intend to continue doing so. However, I realize that might not be appealing to everyone, which is why I find myself pondering other possibilities. But before I make any decisions on that or any other front, I’d rather hear from you.

If you’re already a paid patron, what convinced you to take that step? If you’re not, what might make it feel worthwhile? Are there topics, rewards, or types of engagement you’d actually enjoy seeing here?

Your thoughts matter a great deal. Grognardia has always been sustained by the curiosity and enthusiasm of its readers. The time you spend reading, commenting, and sharing my work means more than I can easily express. Paid support simply helps ensure that I can continue to give this little corner of the hobby the attention and energy it deserves — not as a job, but as a vocation.

So thank you again for reading, remembering, and caring about the history, imagination, and wonder behind our shared hobby of roleplaying. You’re the reason Grognardia continues to thrive, and with your help, I hope it will keep doing so for many years yet to come.