I've got something rather exciting to share with you today—something I've been quietly working on between athletics competitions, applying for archaeological digs and convincing my mother that writing really is my job!

I've launched a Patreon, which I’ve creatively called Kirsten McKenzie's Time Travel Society. It's specifically for readers who love getting lost in the past as much as I do.

An orange background with the words "Your passport to the past" at the top, in black lettering. An old fashioned compass is on the left hand side, and a sketch of a pile of old books is on the right hand side.

Why a Patreon?

Here's the thing about writing at my father's old roll-top partners desk, surrounded by antiques from the family business: I'm constantly distracted by stories. A Victorian writing slope, a Georgian tea caddy, a child's toy from the 1920s—each one whispering secrets about the people who owned them, used them, loved them.

My published novels like the Old Curiosity Shop trilogy and the Ithaca time travel series take months, sometimes years, to craft. But those whispers from the past? Sometime they spark shorter stories that don't quite fit into my main series but are too compelling to ignore.

I wanted a space where I could share these stories with you, without waiting for publication schedules or worrying about traditional distribution. A place where we could explore time travel together, where I could pull back the curtain on my research process, and where you could see the historical discoveries that make their way into my fiction.

(Also, let's be honest: writing is funded by coffee and wine, and your support helps keep both flowing.)

What You'll Find in the Time Travel Society

I've created two membership tiers. Think of them as your passport to the past:

Time Traveller Tier (NZ$3/month)

Time Traveller Tier (NZ$3/month) Every month, you'll receive an exclusive short story or deleted scene from my novels—those beloved bits my editor made me cut, or entirely new tales inspired by my research. You'll also get behind-the-scenes writing updates, access to vintage newspapers and historical research materials that inspire my work, and entry to our patron-only community where we can chat about all things time travel and history.

Keeper of Time Tier (NZ$9/month)

In addition to everything in the Time Traveller tier, Keepers of Time receive Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of my completed novels before they're released to the world, early access to chapters 1-2 weeks before anyone else, the chance to vote on story elements like character names and cover preferences, quarterly live Q&A sessions where you can ask me anything about my writing process or historical research, and your name in my book acknowledgements as a thank you for your support.

An old fashioned painting of a Welsh dining table at Christmas. The table has a candle, a steaming jug of mulled wine, a roast chicken and some oranges. Outside you can see that there is snow. Jackets are hanging on the wall, and exposed wooden beams

To launch the Patreon, I've already posted your first exclusive story: "The Last Christmas," set in 1858 Newport, Wales. It's a tale of family, tradition and sacrifice, with something more mysterious lurking in the winter darkness.

The Community I Hope to Build

Here's the truth: writing can be incredibly solitary. I spend my days at my father's desk, surrounded by the ghosts of antiques past, talking to characters in my head. (My family has learnt not to interrupt when I'm staring into space—I'm not ignoring them, I'm eavesdropping on a conversation happening in 1858.)

But the best moments? They're when you reach out to tell me which character resonated with you, or when you share photos of visiting a location from one of my books, or when you ask questions about a particular scene.

The Time Travel Society is my way of creating a more intimate space for those conversations. It's a community for people who understand that pull towards the past. People who think volunteering at Vindolanda and shovelling dirt for two weeks sounds like heaven rather than hard labour!

I want this to be a place where we can share that fascination together. Where I can admit I spent three hours researching Victorian coal mining practices and loved every minute of it. Where you won't judge me for getting teary over an 18th-century letter I found tucked inside an antique book.

So, Come Join The Society

If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, I'd love to have you join my Time Travel Society, just hit the button below:

JOIN THE SOCIETY NOW

And if Patreon isn't for you? That's absolutely fine. I'll still be here, writing the novels you've come to expect from me, blogging regularly (when I'm not faffing about on social media), and connecting with you through all my usual channels. This is simply an additional space for those who want to go a bit deeper into the past with me.

Thank you, as always, for reading my stories and supporting my slightly obsessive fascination with history. Whether you join the Time Travel Society or continue following along from here, I'm grateful you're part of this journey.

Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a 1920s cigarette card on my desk that's been whispering me, and I really should capture it before I have to go grocery shopping and sell a kidney in order to pay for the butter...

Kirsten x

Welcome to Kirsten McKenzie's Time Travel Society