So How Does This Patreon Thing Work, Exactly?
Patreon is a way for ordinary readers to support creators. It's a bit like Kickstarter, except instead of making one big donation towards one big project, you make recurring small donations for ongoing creative work. If you sign up to support my cartoons - to "become a patron," as we say around here - you'll be able to change or cancel your patronage at any time, and you'll only be charged once a month.
So, for example, if you pledge to give me $2 per political cartoon, and I create two cartoons in a month, then at the month's end you'll be charged $4. And you can set a maximum on how much you can be charged per month, so even if I go on a WILD CREATING SPREE and post ten comics in a single month (and wouldn't that be awesome?), you'll never be charged more than you want to. So if you have a maximum of $1 a month, and I post ten comics in a month - you'll still only be charged one dollar.
There are a few perks for my cool Patreon supporters (see below for more on that!), but the main reward is, you get more political cartoons to enjoy. And whenever you see one of my cartoons on Facebook, you get to think "oh, cool! I helped make that!"
So Who Is Barry Deutsch?
I'm a lefty cartoonist whose political cartoons have won two Massachusetts Newspaper Association awards, and the Charles Schultz Award. You've probably already seen some of my cartoons passed around on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. All of my political cartoons can be read for free at leftycartoons.com (or here on Patreon).
For over a decade I've worked for a magazine that is only published six times a year. The magazine, "Dollars and Sense," is awesome - but six times a year isn't enough! I wanted to create many more political cartoons, and to cover topics that don't always fit into "Dollars and Sense." And that's where you - and Patreon - come in. Since I began this Patreon, I've been able to increase my output from once every two months, to once a week. That's the difference reader support makes.
But although Patreon support is great, it's not yet a living. I can't yet do all the cartoons I'd like you to see. That's why I'm hoping my Patreon will grow.
With the help of my patrons, I'm creating many more cartoons for you to laugh at, shake your heads at, and share with your friends.
What Makes Barry's Political Cartoons Different?
Lately, a lot of my cartoons have been dealing with current events - it's hard to avoid that, with the Trump administration sliming its way through the headlines. But that's not all I do.
I make political cartoons that will stay relevant for years, about issues that I care about, and that you probably care about too - issues like feminism, racism, transgender issues, queer rights, poverty, fat acceptance, unions, immigration, and so on. Sometimes my cartoons are angry, and sometimes they're just silly. Some of my cartoons use a typical political cartoon format, and some are more experimental (that link is to a rather harsh cartoon about sexual harassment, so don't click on it if you'd rather avoid that topic).
I want to continue creating cartoons like these! If you enjoy them, I hope you'll support this Patreon. Thank you.
