Help Kiki Thrive at Lambda Literary & Beyond!

UPDATE:

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has helped me with this fundraiser thus far. This weekend, due to unforeseen circumstances, I made the difficult decision not to attend the retreat this year. The funds already raised have covered medication costs, as was mentioned in the copy below. I'm incredibly grateful for everyone's well wishes, generous support, and the championship of my work leading up to the retreat. Thank you again for being able to help out generously with my basic needs even though I'm unable to make it out this year! The fundraiser & graphic will be updated to include these new developments. I will keep it open to cover any living costs, as I mentioned in the fundraiser copy, instead of travel costs since my finances are still very slim & inconsistent.

All my love, for real

Kiki

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As a Black queer and trans writer, I have always dreamed of attending a Lambda Literary Writers’ Retreat . I'm so happy to share that I've been accepted into this year's retreat with a full tuition scholarship!

While I'm immensely grateful for the relief provided by the tuition scholarship, I need help covering travel expenses and lost income during the retreat. I have been traditionally unemployed since 2022, and as a neurodivergent and disabled freelancer, my current income is infrequent and unsustainable to support survival costs and the cost of travel.

I aim to raise $1500 to:

EVERY contribution makes a difference. I have been traditionally unemployed on and off since 2020; this year, I've started my own freelancing business, The Well-Organized Creative, but as you can guess, making the switch to self-employment can be incredibly slow and expensive in the beginning—especially without a reserve of funds already saved up. That being said, it also has been incredibly hard to write or create with so much of my time and energy being focused on how to consistently financially support myself.

Investing in my creative practice, investing in me ensures that my hard work and dedication to creating and learning deserve nurturing despite my ongoing financial struggles. The negative impact of capitalism will always be there, but I owe it to myself and my community to make time for this precious opportunity and not count myself out because of financial barriers.

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with others who believe in supporting this wonderful community. To avoid fees, you are more than welcome to scan the QR code and donate to one of my personal pay links (listed below) or become a Patron.

Cash App: $kikiledbetter

Venmo: @kiki-nicole

Paypal.me/kikinicole

Your investment will allow me to focus my time and energy on creating rigorous, new work and cultivating my past work. Your support enormously impacts my life and helps me—a Black, queer, non-binary person—thrive.

Thank you so much for your time, consideration, and kindness. It means so much to me. ♡

In gratitude,

Kiki Nicole