Help an emerging writer make it to Clarion West

UPDATE: Thank you so much for all your donations - I'm blown away! You've all just lifted a midsized-sedan-worth of weight off my shoulders.

 

As we approach the original minimum goal of $2300, I'm setting a stretch goal of $3000. This amount guarantees I'll be shielded from any nasty surprises that might crop up during the workshop, and I'll be able to be more involved in the social side of Clarion West. But what's a stretch goal without a reward? So: if we reach the goal, I'll pick a donor's name out of a hat, and name a character after you in one of the stories I write during the workshop. (Just crossing fingers that Australian senate candidate Max Dicks doesn't stumble across this...)

 

My name is Tania Fordwalker, and I'm one of the Clarion West 'Ghost Class' of 2020. Two years and two pandemic-driven rainchecks later, it's finally time to travel halfway around the globe and take part in the world's most prestigious SFF writers' workshop with 17 other amazing writers - but my circumstances have changed over that time. While I've been lucky to have received support to offset many costs associated with Clarion West, I'll be without income for the six weeks of the workshop while my home loan repayments and bills pile up back in Australia. I need help.

 

Clarion West is a dream I've worked towards for many years. Since I began applying, my work has been published in Lightspeed (upcoming), Beneath Ceaseless Skies, PodCastle, Aurealis (upcoming), Reckoning, and more. I've been nominated for two Aurealis Awards this year, and have completed my first novel, which is out on submission with US literary agent Valerie Noble. You can read my stories at Fordwalker.com .

 

Clarion West is world-famous for turning writers into authors. I'm a late bloomer as it is. I spent my twenties and thirties scraping by financially, writing in the cracks. Even so, I've come this far. If I can make it through this year - make it through the workshop without going broke - nothing can stop me.

 

I'm aiming to raise USD $1600 (AUD $2300) to cover costs across the six-week workshop. Of this amount, $1050 USD ($1500 AUD) will cover my home repayments; $175 USD ($250 AUD) will cover ongoing bills, $350 USD ($500 AUD) will be used as an emergency and grocery fund throughout Clarion West, and $25 USD ($50 AUD) will cover GoFundMe fees. This is the minimum I need to get through the workshop without hitting financial stress, but I've given this fundraiser an open goal. Even if we don't come close to the target, every bit helps.

 

Thank you for reading. I mean that in every way possible.