I knew I was taking risks when I quit my job and pursued writing full time. Blogging doesn’t pay much, and getting books written and published takes time. I knew a year probably wouldn’t be enough to become self-sufficient, but would give me time to get things going. Then I could get a part-time job at the end of my year to make up any shortfalls, and wouldn’t have to go begging money from my readers. I’d have a book or two out, and have more started, and probably wouldn’t have to do the day job thing forever. Simple!
My plans were disrupted a bit last fall, when I came within spitting distance of dying from sepsis. It took a while to recover, and my funds took a hit. But I still had things under control. I struggled with the typical winter-spring depression, but kept plugging away at the writing, and got me first book released. Everything was going fine – until my apartment complex decided not to renew my lease.
They’re kicking me out so they can remodel. I asked for more time, and got until the end of this month. Then I’m sans home.
Moving into another unit here would be prohibitively expensive. It’s not going to be possible to find another apartment without a steady income considerably larger than the present unstable one. So I’m currently job hunting (if you’ve been wanting desperately to hire me, thinking I’d be a perfect fit for your Seattle-area company, now’s the time!). But I won’t have a job soon enough to save up the extra funds I’ll need for a move. I won’t be able to find an apartment quickly enough, either. B’s house doesn’t have room for me to move in, and it’s not possible for him to abandon his brothers.
So I need your help pretty badly. If any of you know of a private home or room I can rent that’s pet-friendly and within the Seattle metro area, that would be outstanding. Misha and I would be forever grateful.
I’ll also need funds to pay for this move, and possibly pay for storing my stuff while we’re in limbo.
I don’t want to beg you for money. I’ve never wanted to straight up solicit donations. Yes, you could argue that I already provide you a lot of material, and it’s no problem asking for a little moolah to support the work you enjoy. Thing is, I enjoy providing you that work! I sort of feel guilty asking for money for it, ridiculous as that is. So I’m offering incentives!
Donate $10, and I’ll send you one of my completed stories in electronic format (Word or PDF).
Donate $15, and I’ll send you a signed paper copy of one of my stories.
Donate $20, and I’ll send you your choice of one of the following:
- a piece of personally-blessed Holy Schist! (sans garnets, alas)
- a rock magnet
- a hand-collected rock sample (I’ll send you photos you can choose from)
- a hand-sewn cat toy with a refillable catnip pouch
- a hand-sewn scarf (while supplies last!)
Donate $50 or more, and I’ll send you your choice of three of the above items.
I’ve also got a special offer for one very fortunate donor who wants some great fiction-writing books:
These slender volumes helped me immensely when I was a young fiction writer just starting out. They got me over countless writing hurdles. I don’t want to part with them, but I haven’t cracked them open for years, and it’ll probably be years more, if ever, before I get back to writing fiction. So away they go to a new home! The first person who donates $50 or more and requests these will get them. [Update: They’ve been claimed! Apologies to everyone who wanted a set – I wish I had more than one!]
Right, so how is this all going to work? Easy-peasy! Make your donation using this handy button:
Then email me at dhunterauthor at gmail to let me know what name you donated under, and what nifty stuffage you want. Then I will send it to you! Yay!
If you can’t use PayPal, but still wish to donate and get some nifty stuffage, let me know. We can arrange an alternative.
There are other ways to help me get monies, and get something in return – in time for Father’s Day, even!
You can visit my Etsy store, where there’s some garnet-bearing Holy Schist! for sale, and for the long-haired people, there are lots of hand-sewn scrunchies. These scrunchies, btw, will last you ages. I sew them strong!
You can visit my RedBubble store for all sorts of goodies: prints, clothing, drinkware, stickers, and more.
You can visit my Amazon seller account, because I am selling so many books there. Check back often – I’ll be putting nearly a bookstore’s worth of books over the next week or two! I have far too many books I’ll never read again. Most of them are in fantastic condition, and I’m pricing them very competitively.
Speaking of books, you can, of course, get my very own book by me! If you’ve read it and you’ve got the time, please do review it. That would be outstanding!
If you can’t donate or purchase anything right now, it’s completely okay. Just please use the share buttons to get the word out. That helps immensely!
Thank you muchly in advance, my darlings! You’re the best readership an author could ask for.
***
You are amazing, my darlings! Thanks to those who have already donated and/or spread the word, Misha and I are on the way to not becoming homeless at the end of the month. I’m working hard on getting orders processed and shipped, and I’ll be sending individual thank-yous soon. I appreciate your help so much! Misha would, too, except she’s ancient and a cat.
Damn Dana. I really hope you raise the money you need. I wish I could help but I am jobless and broke. I am going to signal boost this though.
::Hugs::
I’ll think of something I can do to help.
I’m not much good with actual cash right now (paid my taxes, oof). How long are you going to be at that specific address?
Rats. Unlike Tony and RQ, I can afford to do something, so I will. I’ve just got to figure out exactly what.
I’m worried that this is going to be very hard on Misha, who doesn’t deserve it.
I’m sorry to hear this. Being self-employed is tough enough without health and housing issues.
I’ve got more than enough schist already, so I ordered some books. I have too many books, as well, but you have some good ones. And yes, I’ll be checking back.
Nothing like a health crisis to foil well-laid plans — and you had one right out of the gate. Many people have helped me when I needed it, and I’m glad I’m in a position to help you a bit now.
I nabbed some of your used books on Amazon. Since they’re all being shipped to the same place, I hope you can quietly keep a lot of the shipping and handling costs. Really hoping things work out for you and Misha, and if you were on my side of the country I’d be lobbying my roommates to find a way to let you stay with us until something else opened up.
I emailed you; in case you don’t get it, I sometimes get flagged by gmail as a spammer and you might want to look for it in your junk bin. Or not!
a rock magnet
a hand-collected rock sample (I’ll send you photos you can choose from)
a hand-sewn cat toy with a refillable catnip pouch
Please!!
Please!!
Please!!
Please!!
I sent some cash your way, as much as I could afford. You deserve more, hopefully it will ll wor out. if the fiction writing books are still available, I would love them. If not, then no worries!
Email sent, and I’m already jealous of whoever gets that set of fiction writing books.
Ugh, I’m going to blame my weird browser for the horrible typos. I have to laugh at asking for a set of books on writing when I can’t even put a sentence together.
Hi Dana..I enjoy reading your blog. I hope your troubles end in the near future.
I rarely comment here but I enjoy the subjects that you right about quite a bit. I am very happy to help keep you afloat while you find a new place and move. Good luck and best wishes from Bellingham!
(Write about, not right about. Although you’re right about a lot of stuff, too.)
Just bought one of your Amazon books. As a former starving artist who had to get a real job, I feel for you, and I hope you get the funding you need and find a nice place to live. Good luck!
For all the pleasure I’ve had reading this blog I feel like I’m just settling up an old debt. No stuffage needed. I’ve been getting rid of stuff and still have a ways to go.
Thanks for everything and keep up the good work.
Ditto this, 100%
Yeah, this is the main reason (*khm* besides of course not being able to help Dana *khm*) I’m sad I don’t have the cash to contribute.
Chipped in a couple hundred. I don’t need any rewards. Let us know if you need more.
Sent a little something.
donated some – hope it helps – Keep blogging , no more rewards needed.
Mother Jones is looking for an assistant editor
Wound up with a little extra this month so you get it for your wonderful awesomeness. No reward needed as I live tiny and already have too much stuff. Best of everything to you.
Lindig