Supporter-only chapters and early access
Each title has Access settings in the Studio that decide which chapters are free and which are for supporters. You choose a starting point, then add rules on top.
The two starting points
- Free by default. Everything is readable, except the chapters your rules lock.
- Locked by default. Everything is for supporters, except the chapters your rules free.
Then choose who counts as a supporter: anyone pledged at a chosen tier or above.
The rules you can add
- First X chapters
- Latest X chapters
- Chapters older than X days
- Exceptions: specific chapters that always ignore the rules, including scheduled ones.
Recipes
Early access (most popular): free by default, with the latest 2 chapters being supporter-only. Supporters read two chapters ahead, and everyone else catches up as you publish.
Free sample, paid series: locked by default, with the first 5 chapters free. Good for finished or very long series.
Paid archive: free by default, with chapters older than 60 days being supporter-only. New chapters bring in readers, and the back catalogue rewards supporters.
Free prologue: whatever you choose above, with the prologue as an exception, so it is always free.
Before you lock anything
- Make sure new readers can still finish your first arc, or at least the first three chapters. Locking chapter 1 stops people from discovering you.
- Readers who reach a locked chapter see which tier unlocks it, with a button to pledge. Name that tier clearly.
- The Studio repeats your rules back in a plain sentence. Read it before saving.
Coming from Tapas?
If you'd like help translating your early access setup from Tapas onto NamiComi, or have any questions we can answer, email support@namicomi.com.