Royal Literary Fund Grant
I am extremely grateful to say I have been awarded a grant by the Royal Literary Fund.
It’s not something I would have thought I would need, or even thought existed, if it weren’t for a Brittle Paper article in June. I am always grateful to Brittle Paper for everything they do for our literary community.
The criteria for applying, the process and the care and sensitivity from the people involved is rather humbling as well as encouraging, given that the literary merit of my body of work is thoroughly considered along with my financial circumstances. Financial circumstances being the main reason for the existence of the RLF since the 1700s.
Apart from having to be a British citizen, they had to read physical copies of two works published in the UK (Soul Searching and Bones & Runes). And it is encouraging to know that genre fiction is viewed as having literary merit. Also considered are any broader activities related to writing, from lecturing, public speaking, awards — engaging with people in furthering literature as well as recognition of my work out there.
Nothing was taken lightly. They treated me with dignity and kept reiterating two points: this is not for a specific project or pitch, rather this is to support you to write! i.e. to not be doing those things (odd jobs, part time work) that you need to do to survive which take you away from writing. I was taken aback. I still am. Gentle support, with a clear goal. Keep writing!
I haven't been able to speak about this meaningful grant publicly for dread of anyone saying, “Do you need money?” or “Are you okay?”. But a friend, a writer, reminded me there are others in similar positions that could benefit from the knowing that they are not alone. I'd even been reluctant to apply in the first place, asking for help, to rather wait things out even more – something that has not worked in the past. I had to do something. Afterall, having my wife, Riley, working her arse off to keep me writing has been a major factor in writing every chance I get, and we, she, needed some relief. I’ve worked part time retail jobs packing shelves, day-labour work digging, wheelbarrowing, lugging and sweating, to get by, to contribute. But that means not writing, let alone having the energy to write.
Again, I am grateful for the lives touched, including my own, by the Royal Literary Fund.
Keep writing, FFS!
Dear writer,
Know that you are not alone on this journey. You’re not alone because others have, do and will struggle to support themselves with their writing. Keep writing! You’re not alone because you have the choice to surround yourself with more of the people who support your writing, or simply support you, period. Find them. Thank them. And keep writing! There are support systems out there. Seek them out. You deserve it.
You’re not alone because you can ping someone like me on socials, who you know struggles, and say, “I’m struggling with this writing and living thing.” And I’ll say to you: “Dear Writer. Thank you for speaking about it. You’re not alone. Keep writing!”
Yours,
A writer now in Oxford.
