Studio Sponsorship for September: Appeal

On June 30th, I posted an appeal for financial assistance with my studio rent for July.  For a minimum donation of $5, you received a short story, a “Patron of the Arts” graphic for your blog/website, a larger version of your graphic posted as a sponsor on my studio wall (see the circles in the picture to the left?) and my sincere gratitude.

At that time, I thought it would be a one-shot deal, but several people suggested to me that I should do it once a month.  I considered it for August, but since I had the money (and didn’t want to feel/appear greedy), I decided I wouldn’t do it again unless I really needed to.

Well, despite filling out countless job applications — both online and in person — and sending out innumerable resumes, I find myself again looking at the first of the month with a sense of impending doom.  Although I have started up a small social media ghost-writing service called Words For Hire, I am only just beginning to find clients now.  In short, I have three days in which to come up with my studio/office rent, so I am again appealing for your help.

For a minimum donation of $5, you will receive a 2700-word sneak peek of my current writing project, a novel called Carrying On.  You will also receive, like last time, a personalized “Patron of the Arts” graphic to display on your own blog or website, and your name will be posted in my studio/office, on the “This Space Brought to You By” wall.  (These items will be sent to you via email once the graphic has been personalized.)

My studio is my “happy place,” where I write, and hook rugs, and dabble in mixed media.  It’s my home away from home and I get far more accomplished there than I would at my actual house.  Because of my studio — because it puts me in the right frame of mind and helps to keep me disciplined — I will be exhibiting some of my rugs in a local gallery and will also be teaching a short fiction course through the University of New Brunswick.  My studio gives me confidence and validates what I do.  My studio keeps me grounded and focused, and — in short — I need it to stay sane.

So if you are in a position to lend a hand, I would greatly appreciate it.  Things are gradually looking up, but they aren’t quite there yet, and I can use all the help I can get.  Thanks for any and all help (and good thoughts!) you might send my way, and just spreading the word will help, too.  Any donations beyond what I need for my September rent will go first to getting my bangs trimmed so I don’t go cross-eyed and then to October’s rent.

Want a good chuckle?  Besides writing this blog post, I’ve also made a video appeal for you to watch — proof that anyone can make a fool of themselves on the Internet.

Here’s the donation button. Thanks again, folks. It means the world to me.