Jay Wilburn

<img src="http://www.jaywilburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/bio-patreon-who-is-jay-copy.jpg"> My name is Jay Wilburn and I am a writer and storyteller. I create stories for readers, viewers, and other writers
because in the darkness of the valleys of life filled with shadows, I believe
there are beautiful things to experience and I believe those stories need to be
told in all their colors bright and dark. Let me tell you a story ... I’m the author of
the Dead Song Legend series, Room 138, the Maidens of Zombie Kingdom trilogy, Lake Scatter Wood Tales, Time Travel Academy, and more. I
am also a husband and a father. I use Patreon to connect to friends and readers
with my work and my journey. I try to offer cool pieces that are different from
what people may find everywhere else out there. 

My journey also includes my journey to a kidney transplant. Polycystic kidney disease runs in my family. My grandmother,
father, and brother all died from it on dialysis. I was able to get a successful transplant on Februrary 8, 2017 and now I work to stay healthy and to keep up with my meds to avoid rejection. I want to see my sons grow up. 
 I have cognitive difficulties. Doctors are throwing around scary words like early onset Alzheimer's and degenerative dementia as they run more tests. I want to use all the lucid years I have left to create stories that outlive me. 

 I taught school for sixteen years before leaving to pursue
being a full-time writer and to care for the health needs of my youngest son.
Since 2013, my son’s health has improved, but mine had declined until I was down single digit kidney function. I like to think my writing has improved too
along the way. 
 I can’t separate out the parts of my life’s journey. All
of it comes together to shape who I am and what my life will be. It all
plays into and informs my writing. So, we’re going to try to combine those
elements of my writing and my creative process here on the Patreon page for those seeking to support me and my work. We are all trying to create something with our lives. In my
case that is expressed through writing. We all try to connect with others. For
me that comes with the support of my family and the extended family of friends
and readers. I have drawn great strength and comfort from sharing my story openly with others. People that have followed along with me have drawn
strength and inspiration from my path through life.
It has given me another reason to stay strong, bold, and positive. 
 

I’m a storyteller for a living and that living comes from
those who find my stories worthy of buying into emotionally, spiritually, and
financially. Authors are always selling a piece of themselves in their work. I
have found that exchange rewarding and want to continue it. 
 

Kidney failure was progressive and tiring. It comes with pain
and constant exhaustion. It has put a toll on my family in terms of having to
put up with the times I could not give more. Cognitive issues have demanded more of others around me. It comes with financial burdens
with medical costs and trying to keep up the production that pays the bills. My
wife has committed to supporting my dreams of being a writer and making the most of the life I have left. Now, paying for meds is expensive, but the changes to lifestyle are well worth the sacrifices required for more time.  By buying into my story, you are giving me the
support I need to achieve these things. In a very real sense, you are helping
me buy more time on this Earth with my family and the words I write. Time is
the most precious thing we have as we hold onto life. There are not many
situations where we can honestly say we are getting time back, but that is
exactly what I am doing with this this support. 
 

Thank you in advance for being there for me. 
<img src="http://www.jaywilburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/bio-patreon-how2.jpg"> You can pledge and give monthly support at the levels that
work for you. You can decide what the content of original stories are worth to
you and give that amount. I will continue to supply them monthly. 
 

You are becoming a part of my support system as I work
through life with a transplant and with cognitive decline. You are buying into my personal story and my family. If
you feel led to pitch your support behind our journey, know that it will make a
huge difference as I work my way through the tough and rewarding days ahead. 
 

We want to keep you connected and informed about what is goin on. The correspondences in each of the pledge levels
are just a small way for us to stay connected to you and to remain in
communication about what we are going through as an important part of our
support system. 
 

If
you are considering giving at one of the levels, consider the pledges one level
up. Every little bit helps during this crucial time for our family. We appreciate
the support more than you can possibly know. 

You give and pledge whatever you feel led to based on the level
of support you want to provide. See the pledge
levels off to the side to know all the ways we can stay connected. The perks
are just a small way for us to say thank you for your support as we face these
challenges together. All patronage is appreciated and I hope this page and
community serves to keep you updated and connected with me and my family
through all of this. 
 
If you want to go fast, you go alone; if you want to go far,
you go together. I want to go far in just about every sense of that phrase.

Free

<img src="http://www.jaywilburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/reward-patreon-tell-me-a-story.jpg"> 

Any gift or pledge of support is appreciated. Every patron
will receive access to exclusive story content. This includes a monthly serial
of a vampire story with new additions to the story every month. It includes
downloadable versions of a complete zombie novel which is out of print and an
out of print download of a zombie fairytale novella. You will also have access
to a number of readings of exclusive stories already available on the site for
patrons only.

<img src="http://www.jaywilburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/reward-patreon-jays-journal.jpg"> 

I will keep a running journal of my journey through the
process of seeking out a kidney transplant. I don’t know how this story ends
and it is the most personal and immediate story I will ever write. I’ll share
the details of that journey here in a way that I will not anywhere else as a
thank you for your support of me, my family, and my work. You also receive
access to all the lower level pledge perks. You also get a complete album download by Luke Spooner inspired the book The Great Interruption by Jay Wilburn

<img src="http://www.jaywilburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/reward-patreon-jennys-thoughts.jpg">None of us travel alone. My wife is an amazing person that
is there for me and as a support to my writing. She is deep and genuine. This
journey is her journey too and I could not possibly imagine doing it without
her. At this pledge level, you will have access to her thoughts as she
chronicles this process from her perspective. You also receive access to all
lower level pledge perks.

<img src="http://www.jaywilburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/reward-patreon-christmas-card-list.jpg"> In addition to access to all the lower level pledge perks,
you will be on our Christmas card list for the world famous Wilburn family Christmas
card. I’m not even exaggerating a little. The card is that good. Ask around! We
look forward to including you in all the page has to offer for your ongoing
support. It means a lot.

Christmas card list

<img src="http://www.jaywilburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/reward-patreon-birthday-card-list.jpg"> 

In addition to access to all the lower level pledge perks
and the Christmas card list, you will be on the birthday card list too. Jenny
will design the card and produce it especially for you. We’ll write a message
and sign as well. It is your birthday after all. Jenny is a great designer!

Birthday card list

<img src="http://www.jaywilburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/reward-patreon-monthly-pen-pal.jpg"> In addition to access to all lower level pledge perks, the
Christmas Card list, and the birthday card list, we will send you monthly
correspondence. You’ll get more cards exclusively designed by Jenny Wilburn and
signed by all of us. There will be other types of written correspondence and
updates sent to you each and every month.

Choose your membership