Home > Patron Toolbox > FAQ
Will my manuscripts be secure if I upload them into a tool?
All of the Toolbox Tools use LLM APIs, which have privacy set to the maximum. This is corporate-level privacy, where the LLMs do not train on any of the submitted information.
We also have privacy set to the maximum possible level so even Thomas Umstattd Jr. can’t see what is posted for troubleshooting purposes. This means if a tool stops working, or acts weird, the only way we can know is if you contact us. Please help us improve the tools in the toolbox by letting us know what you think.
The exceptions are AI Thomas, JaneBot, and Twainbot. These tools use a different technology and while the LLMs don’t train on what you post, human Thomas sometimes looks over the questions for future episode topic ideas.
If AI Thomas ever fails to give you a good answer, feel free to post your question to AuthorMedia.social.
Which LLM does the Patron Toolbox use?
The toolbox uses a combination of Grok, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and ChatGPT. We typically use the frontier model and sometimes switch which model a tool runs on if a better model comes along. Thomas Umstattd Jr. picks the best LLM for each specific tool.
One of the tools isn’t working. What do I do?
Because we have the privacy level set so high, we can’t see when a tool breaks. Please let us know if a tool is not working (or if AI Thomas has a bad answer) and we will work on it right away. If everyone assumes someone else will tell us, the tool will stay broken.
I have an idea for a new tool. Where do I send it?
We love to hear your ideas for new tools! Some of the coolest tools came from authors just like you. Share your ideas on our contact form.
Help! I can’t access the toolbox tools.
The most common issues authors face are:
Reason #1 Not a Patron
It costs us money and tokens to run the toolbox, so we can’t provide the tools for free, especially if we want to use frontier models. In order to use the toolbox, you must become a Novel Marketing patron. There is no commitment required and you can cancel at any time.
Reason #2 Wrong Username or Email
Chances are you signed up with your other email address. You can reset your Patreon password here.
Reason #3 Wrong Patron Level
To access the toolbox you must be a patron at the Patron Toolbox + Podcast Host Directory level or higher. You can check and upgrade your membership here.
Reason #4 Wrong Patreon Membership
The patron toolbox is connected to the Novel Marketing Patreon account. Being a patron of another podcast (like the Christian Publishing Show) won’t give you access to the toolbox.
Can I cancel my membership?
Yes! You can cancel your Patreon membership at any time here.
Why are some of the icons in color?
Tools with color icons cost us extra every time they are run. At some point in the future, those tools might become more expensive to use.
Do I have to pay for each tool separately?
At the moment, Patron Toolbox patrons have access to all the tools.
Is there a limit on how much I can use the Patron Toolbox?
At the moment, Patron Toolbox Patrons have unlimited access to all the tools. This may change if our costs go up too much.
Can I use the toolbox on behalf of a friend?
In order to keep the cost of the toolbox down, please don’t use the toolbox on behalf of a friend. Encourage your friend to become a patron 🙂
How are these tools different from using a free AI chat bot?
Better Privacy
The free version of the various AI chatbots tend to use your interactions to train the models. If you are not the customer, you are the product. Typically there are three levels of privacy, free users (no privacy), paid users (optional privacy), API users (maximum privacy). The Patron Toolbox tools all use the API highest level privacy.
Better Models
Free chatbots tend to use older models to save money. This means they are not as “smart” as the frontier models that the Patron Toolbox. Also, because the tools access the LLMs directly through the
Better Performance
Thomas Umstattd Jr. personally crafts each tool for maximum performance. This means prompt engineering, context engineering, and testing. The tools also get better over time as other authors give feedback.
Better Fit
No LLM is the best at everything. For some tasks, Grok is best. For some tasks, Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT are best. With the Patron Toolbox, you use the model Thomas Umstattd Jr. thinks is the best fit for that particular tool.
I want to write my manuscripts by myself! What would I need these tools for?
None of the patron tools do the writing for you. Instead they help you with research, editing, marketing, and promotion.
What genres of books or kinds of writing are these tools helpful with?
The toolbox tools work well with just about every fiction and nonfiction genre. The exception is erotica where the tools will not work as well.