J.A. Sutherland

I'm J.A. Sutherland, science fiction and fantasy author, and creator of the Alexis Carew series - space opera with a very Age of Sail feel to it. They say never to go full-Hornblower, but I went full-Hornblower. I'm also the author of a spin-off series in the Alexis Carew Universe, Spacer, Smuggler, Pirate, Spy, and the Dark Runs series of near-Earth, near-Time space opera. As Richard Grantham, I write the darker, bloodier, more violent Steampunk adventure Dark Artifice. Alexis Carew <a href="https://amzn.to/2VRUCkl">Into the Dark</a> <a href="https://amzn.to/2DjYcfH">Mutineer</a> <a href="https://amzn.to/2V6gZ8x">The Little Ships</a> <a href="https://amzn.to/2V9d9LO">HMS Nightingale</a> <a href="https://amzn.to/2DwdAGb">Privateer</a> <a href="https://amzn.to/2GsMnpn">The Queen's Pardon </a>untitled (forthcoming) Spacer, Smuggler, Pirate, Spy <a href="https://amzn.to/2Irjegz">Spacer</a> <a href="https://amzn.to/2Xp246N">Smuggler </a>Pirate (forthcoming) Spy (forthcoming) Dark Runs <a href="https://amzn.to/2V9eeDm">Running Start</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Running-Scared-Dark-Runs-Book-ebook/dp/B07RSKSPL2?tag=carew-20">Running Scared</a>  Running on Empty (forthcoming) Dark Artifice (writing as Richard Grantham) <a href="https://amzn.to/2UKDtfO">Of Dubious Intent </a>A Profound Realization (forthcoming) I firmly believe that these are the best of times to be an author -- or any creative, for that matter. The accessibility of tools and platforms allows us to get our work in front of more readers and viewers faster and easier than ever before in history. The gatekeepers of the past, who might have looked askance at a story, even in science fiction, where the method of FTL travel is glowing blue sails that must be worked by hand, have less and less power every day, allowing stories like mine to reach the audience of wonderful readers that I've found. I believe, also, that these are the best of times for consumers of the arts. Not only do we have access to incredibly niche content, but, like the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Medici#Legacy">de Medici</a> of old, we have the opportunity to act as patrons of those arts. Your Patreon support won't affect whether I keep writing these stories or not -- I make a good living as a computer programmer in the day job and the book sales themselves are going well -- but it will hasten the day when I can quit that day job and move to writing full time. That will mean more stories, faster, and more opportunities for me to engage in writing-related things like cons and the presentations I give at high schools to encourage young authors. In addition to the benefits listed in the patronage tiers, I'll posting some additional content here from time to time, including: <ul><li>Essays on the Alexis Carew universe</li><li>Essays on writing</li><li>Posts on con travel</li><li>My search for an RV (buy or build) in preparation for the full-time writing gig</li><li>Sample chapters from works in progress</li><li>Short stories and other work</li><li>My wife and I are starting a 501(c)3 for her to train service dogs, so there'll probably be some posts about that</li></ul> There might even be t-shirts. The best way to support any artist is to consume their work, so if you're a reader of my stories, you already support my art in the best way possible -- you could leave a review or two, too, as that's always appreciated. :) So if Patreon isn't your thing, that's cool -- please keep reading and I'll keep writing and we'll follow the journeys of these characters together. If you see a support tier that sounds interesting to you, though, and want to grab your place in the New London Navy, then come along and let's have some fun!

Free

Thank you! Every bit helps. You have the privilege of dragging heavy shot canisters through a small tunnel for a short, brutal life in the Dark.

Ship's Boy

You're on the ship's books now, with official, credited thanks. 
Above and beyond my private thanks for being a reader and supporting the series, you'll be named in the Acknowledgements of each book going forward.

Midshipman

Lots of work for little reward, but I'll try to change that. In addition to being entered on the ship's book for acknowledgment, you'll receive an ebook of every work before it's officially published and have the opportunity to berate me about the next's release date before anyone else.

Lieutenant

You'll need reading material for those long, lonely nights in your solitary cabin, unable to join in the crew's revelries. In addition to the benefits of prior tiers, you'll receive a signed paperback copy of each work - one a month until you're caught up, and then new works going forward.
 
You'll also be entered on the Captain's List, working your way up in seniority and hoping for a bloody war or sickly season to make your rise quicker. What benefits does being on the List entail? I'm still working on that, but I think we'll see some cool things.

Captain

Hoist your broad pennant and receive all the previous rewards, except your signed copies will be hardcover (when available) because you're fancy and have lots of gold braid.

Commodore

You may not command the ship, but you do the action. Join this tier and be Tuckerized - written into a forthcoming book as a character. Hero, villain, or just a member of the crew - possibly even to be killed in some spectacularly gruesome way.

Admiral

All of the above rewards and your Acknowledgment in all books will mark you as an exclusive supporter of the series.
 
You'll have con and vacation schedules, as well, and the opportunity for dinner, drinks, and in-person conversation whenever we're in the same area.

Admiral of the Blue

All of the above rewards and your Acknowledgment in all books will mark you as an exclusive supporter of the series.
 
You'll have my con and vacation schedules, as well, and the opportunity for dinner, drinks, and in-person conversation whenever we're in the same area.

Choose your membership