After being sick with iron deficencies, the flu and sinus infections for most of July (yay winter) I decided a little over a week ago to have an Instagram break for the rest of the month to desperately try and make up some of my decimated word count. As it happens, Insta is not great for my mental health. I know, shock horror.
Its also absolutely fucking with productivity. I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but when I looked at my phone battery/ app usage…I’ve been spending 2-3 hours a day on Insta. I had no idea. Seriously, no wonder I was struggling with brain noise and tiredness.
Not only have I written almost 30k words of the gargoyle book but I’ve also started working on a dessert project. It’s vampires. It’s in a brand new world I’ve been building in my mind palace for years. It’s going to be delicious.
I want to assure all you Insta buddies out there, that I’m not giving it up, but I’m really assessing how much time I spend there, and what am I going to change.
Why am I telling you this? Well, I’m super interested to hear your thoughts on some things because you are my community. I want a space that’s ours and I’m struggling to know what the right path is.
Firstly, how would you feel if I moved this newsletter to something a little more close loop? I’m thinking like Mail Chimp. It would allow me a lot more freedom to send you things and would also create a more intimate vibe.
Secondly, I’m thinking about Ream. It’s kind of like Patreon but it was created by romance authors for their readers. Emelia Rose is the author behind it and I really like the look of it. I’ve always steered clear of Patreon because of how they censor romance authors. Poor Emelia had her account shut multiple times and when you’re a working author and rely on that income…well, it’s scary as fuck. It’s one of the reasons why I’m not looking to like Facebook Groups as an option.Things can be shut down in a blink and for no reasons. Ream isn’t like that. It would a community that I own as a creator. I know writers like my hero Onley James has already started building on their because Patreon isn’t available world wide, and it has it’s bullshit.
As I said, this is built by romance authors for their readers. It’s US friendly. It would a good way for us to interact and talk about whatever, share NSFW art and other things without being censored or worrying it will be taken down. It would also be a place I have complete control over – so no harassment and bullying to me or my readers.
I would actually be able to interact and see your comments and messages, unlike Insta that has become very hit and miss on what it actually shows me as a notification. It’s been driving me crazy and it’s all because they want me to buy fucking ads. Ahem. Sorry, rant over.
I’m also thinking Ream would be fun way send you all a chapter a week of this Vampire Project and maybe other early access projects. It would help you get an Alessa fix in between releases and would make a weekly catch up more fun. I could make the new world its based in exclusive to Ream until I have enough stories for an omnibus. I’d probably only have like one cheap asTier to start with, and maybe one day I can expand it for other things you guys want. Because I live in Australia I don’t get access to a lot of things like Kindle Vella and our shipping is a nightmare. I’m not looking at it as money making thing. I’m looking it as community building and a safe way to share exclusive things with you without worrying about piracy.
Those are all my big thoughts right now. I am really interested in hearing what you think about all of this. Is it something you would like to be a part of? Should I just keep doing what I’m doing? I’m reading comments, I want to know.
Alessa x
alessathornauthor.com 
I love this idea! And I would absolutely want to join in the fun.
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Thank you for letting me know!
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First off news letters are like a peek behind the curtain of your brain and it’s really awesome to hear how stepping away from Insta has helped you.
Second, I’ve never heard of REAM but I’d be willing to try it if it’s your platform of choice and the cost isn’t too crazy month to month.
Third, following your career over the last few years has been so exciting and fun. I’m just happy you want us to continue to be a part of it and even be more involved.
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Well thats definitely the idea. Like I want to be able to chat to you guys! Writing can be super isolating. Cost would be $3 a month for everyone. I don’t like how money driven and exclusive Patreon. I want something inclusive that everyone can be a part of.
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Exclusive Patreon can get *
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Hi! I just read your newsletter about what you’re thinking of doing and I think it’s a great idea. I haven’t heard of Ream before but I’d be happy to check it out.
I know what it’s like to have social media mess with your head and mental health so taking some time sounds like a good bet.
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Thank you! And definitely have a look at Ream. Their site is super reader friendly and seems like a really nice place as opposed to social media.
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So so happy you have been feeling better🖤🖤 i will join whichever community you create, Ream seems interesting, i hadn’t heard of it til now 😇
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It’s really new! Emilia launched it in May I think. I been following it because it sounded like such a good idea. It looks like its very reader friendly because it was designed by readers!
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All I know is I need you to tell me if I need to download Ream or sign up for a new newsletter. Do whatever helps you and your process, and I’ll follow.
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Hahah Thank you I appreciate that so much xx
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Dear Alessa,
Please take care of yourself first ❤️
As to your ideas I am sure your fans will follow you anywhere just please make sure these options are available worldwide because you also have fans in Europe who never heard of Ream or Mail Chimp, just like me 😉
It is fun following your work and life and I am looking forward to more anyhow you see fit💝
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Thank you! Im doing a lot better with some rest. Ream is world wide, and I’ve made sure of it because I want everyone able to get on. Patreon isnt which is why I’m not considering it.
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Never heard of Ream, but I’m intrigued. Would definitely try it out if you jumped on board!
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Thank you 🙂
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An exclusive Alessa club? Say less
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we can all be Thornstars together ;P
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Discord is my favorite unsupervised app. Seriously, there is ZERO censoring. But it’s more of a group discussion kind of setup so you would have to play around with tools.
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I’ve looked at Discord before and it kind of gave me chest pains. Maybe I’m too old to figure it out lol I want something I can share stories on and that I own too.
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Ream sounds awesome (plus I giggled at the double entendre there) be nice to have a little protected enclave!
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Hahah I know! I cracked up too. Protected enclave is exactly the vibes I’m chasing.
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I would subscribe so fast! Love hearing from you in whatever capacity you feel most comfortable!
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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Vampires, gargoyles and dragons, oh my! I like the newsletter idea, if we’re voting haha
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Thanks Kel!
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YES TO ALL. Literally just tell me where to be and I’ll be there 😂
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hahaha thank you
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I would love to get some early vampire stuff ahh 🥲 yes to ream and the gargoyles and vampires and everything sound amazing 😍
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The vampires I would definitely make exclusive for subscribers. It would be fun to have something just for us 🙂
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Firstly how did I never register you live in Australia?? Yay for Aussies!!
Like you I try to limit my social media access so the idea of yet another platform isn’t a big appeal to me. In saying that I love your work so will support you whatever you decide.
I do genuinely enjoy seeing your emails pop up when I check my email. My favourite emails I receive!
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Ty you! I’m really reluctant to go to another social media platform because I’m like you and I groan at the thought. Ream is just us, and you’d receive emails every time theres a new chapter up 🙂 Might be the best of both worlds
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That actually sounds like the perfect option!
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Hi Alessa
This all sounds very interesting. I would definitely sign up to Ream as a way to support you.
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Thank you so much! I really appreciate it x
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I would absolutely love to join this! A space for us as your readers sounds amazing
–Jessisfullybooked
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Right?? You know where we can actually talk books and stuff without insta hiding half the shit all the time.
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Glad you are on the mend, taking care of you should be nr 1 priority.
I spend a bit of time on face book but other than that I can’t figure out these social media things, most of it is scary and beyond me.
I’ll be honest as a pensioner every penny counts, so I don’t go for things like patreon, I simply can’t afford it, (KU is my life saver and I’ve started buying your books on a month by month basis because I have to have them.)
But If this ream is as little as you say it is I might be able to squeeze it in, but I’m nervous about how it all works. I want the best for you and if this is what you need for your creativity then I’ll try and support that, I think it would drive me nuts not being able to read something you write.
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Ty so much! I think after I had written three I’d take them and put them on Amazon so everyone can read it. I know a large part of my community is in KU, and I’d definitely make sure I’d cater to them too. Ream would just be something else I offer, because I really hate social media right now lol
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Honestly girl I would follow you to the ends of the earth and onto the next realms. Insta means nothing to me it’s just a place for me to access your content. Hades guided me to you and who and I to question that 😂? Coming from an OG stan from over the ditch 🖤🖤🖤
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Hahah Bless Daddy Hades. The goal would definitely to be more active on Ream than I currently am on Insta. I’m have a shit time with it not sending me notifications when people comment on posts, to messages not being shown to me, to my content being shown to only a third of my followers. It’s been so shit, I just want some where online to hang out to be honest!
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I don’t partake in any social media platforms (of any type— Patreon etc included) but I have heart spasms every time I see an update email come through. So I’m there for that.
Also…vampires. 😍 Can’t. Freaking. Wait.
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thank you! x
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I would be down for trying Ream. I am always looking for ways to support my fav authors without having to deal with Patreon or FB.
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TY! Both platforms can be so tedious. Ream is made by romance authors so I have a lot of interest in seeing how it works x
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I love the idea of moving to Ream or anything else like that. I would be all about it in a heartbeat. Pretty much have the feeling of “oh captain my captain” so if you are all about it I am too 😂 😆
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hahahaha you jump I jump remember? seriously tho I really appreciate it
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I love a good newsletter! One thing (since I’ve pretty much abandoned Facebook) is I’ve joined some closed/invite only groups on discord and I really love it. It feels like more of a safe space to me. While I lurk a lot, I think it’s a fun way to interact or stalk the comments and keep randos out.
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good to know! Yeah the newsletter won’t go away, I’ll keep it how it is. This might just be an extra thing 🙂
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I have never heard of ream and I would be interested in seeing what it’s about and what kind of content you provide.
I am loving the vampire book you got going on. I love your work so whatever you write I’m good for!
Instagram can definitely suck you in and feel like you have to stay relevant. It’s time consuming.
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sooo time consuming! It’s that constant pressure to be putting up posts and staying ‘relevant’ that annoys me. I get enough of that with amazon algorithms, I don’t need another over lord (at least another one thats not hot).
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That Ream seems very interesting, but I kind of like to buy full books and not have to pay for all the newsletter per month, I do not have that kind of money.
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Thats fair. I’d still release the stories on amazon in the future that’s for sure.
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I feel the same about Insta. Now I only use it to check in on my favorite authors. This is the first I have heard of Ream and I’m excited about it.
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It does look cool and a lot of writers are already shifting over to it. Seems like a good platform, that’s for sure. It also looks super easy to use which I like lol
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I’m in a numbered mood list today, so here goes:
1. You come first, take care of your physical, mental and emotional help by any means necessary.
2. I love your books and have read almost every one of them (Hermes is my crazy true love, but don’t tell my hubby), so I am hopeful and excited for all of your future writing projects.
3. I had not heard of Ream until this newsletter, but I’m more than willing to give it a try if you go in that direction. I do fail to write reviews and make comments in social media, or even amazon reviews, because of the potential for negative commentary, trolls or just plain old- fashioned prudish judgment. So, I offer you an apology now for failing to give you feedback. I actually owe it to you and few other authors whose books I buy automatically. Can I give reviews as Christmas gifts???
4. I know what you mean about mental/emotional health issues with social media, same here but FB with me. I always thought I was emotionally stronger than to allow myself to be upset by social media. Turns out you can be blindsided by something you that you think you control. As I heard and old timer say once “who’d a thunk it?”.
5. Thank you for your books, your honesty and being so good to your fans.
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I meant emotional health not help. Where is the edit button when I need it…..
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Thank you so much for all of this! Social media is definitely not for everyone. It really hits my social batteries. I always love reviews and ratings are great if you dont want to write anything but you reading my stories is the important part. Everything else is bonus 🙂
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You and your health come first, do what you need to to get better ❤️
I’d suggest Discord as an alternative (or addition?) to Ream, though, for those who might not be able to commit to a monthly subscription but would still want to support. It’s better for sharing NSFW art and interacting with fans imo
Maybe you could look into that in addition to your using Ream to share other content? Idk, just a suggestion.
Take care ❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you! 🙂
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Happy to give ream a try and honestly, insta I can take or leave, I’m primarily on it to follow my favourite authors (you do tend to do surprise releases which I HATE to miss :)). Look after yourself first, the rest of us will follow where you lead.
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TY! I will still keep using this newsletter to make sure everyone is up to date and when I’m doing sneaky drops etc. Ream would just be extra fun times 😉 and smutty vampires.
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Like most of the other comments above I agree your health comes first, so please take care of physical and mental health. Otherwise no one gets their fix!!! As for Ream I’ve never heard/used and as long as it’s user friendly I would try it out. Excited for the future projects, and wait with bated breath.
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Thank you! Def go check out Ream it looks way easier to navigate than Patreon and it has a good Reader for digital content 🙂
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First, I struggle with social media too. Doom scrolling is my worst enemy so I completely understand your wanting to take a break. I wish I was that strong rn. But I’ve been binging your books for the past week and would be interested in testing this out if it helps you as an author. The way insta and FB have altered what you see as part of an algorithm when you are basing your life on that content must be terrifying so I’m all for what makes it easy for you!!
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Thank You! And yes, the constant changes because they want you to buy ads for exposure is so dodgy. Its not even showing content to all my followers at the moment so I’m super frustrated!
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Firstly I struggle with social media too. Doom scrolling is my enemy rn and I wish I was strong enough to take a break. I have FOMO which sucks the life out of me sometimes. It’s mostly where i can get updates on authors posts and that’s why I can understand how scary relying on platforms like Insta or FB can be because it’s your livelihood. If Ream is better for you as an author and your mental health, I’m all for it! I just binged Mercenaries and Magic this past week so I can’t wait to just continue with your books! Glad you’re feeling better!
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I won’t give up on Insta all together, but I’m def going to stop investing so much energy and emotions into it! Ream does look better for chatting too than insta
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That’s good to know! I’ll look into it for you!!
*also, you inspired me. I am testing my will and am taking a break from insta. Thank you.
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Love that 🙂
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Love this idea!
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Thanks Whit! x
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I love this idea! Setting boundaries for your own mental health is absolutely the priority, and I appreciate so much that you are still giving us so much of yourself to us in other mediums. Any Alessa content is a plus in my book so however I get it I’ll be happy! Thanks!!
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Thank You ! 🙂
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