Hey all,

I don't normally share my personal stories as MackZack but recent events have pushed me to do this.

Last October, I was unexpectedly laid off from my job. This came after I was sailing high having finished running a Patreon to help fund publication of my gas fetish novel "The Finger Curse", complete with illustrations. I had even seen a promotion earlier that year. I thought the coming 2026 was finally going to be my year. Alas, the boat now has holes and I'm in danger of sinking and not being on time for my monthly mortgage payments.

Unemployment is really scary right now. Absolutely nobody has been biting my application ever since October, and it's not looking good based on what I'm seeing and hearing. I may have to settle for something less as March unfolds, which would still put me in a tight spot. Some of you know this but I work in the biotech/biomedical field. The fact that it's getting this hard to find a job there is telling. Last time I was out of a job in early 2021, I was able to land something in just a couple months, and even had the luxury of declining a couple offers.

I've been running on unemployment but being nickel and dimed since I lost my job has put me under breaking even. I got monthly credit card debts to pay off built up from a long time ago. Got into a car crash, so that was a $250 deductible. Had to send my cat to the vet for $130. Still have two remaining student loans from my college days so that's like $300.

I had been in the middle of planning a physical release of The Finger Curse with added content. I know I have to commission a back cover before I can get the physical release out. That's looking to be around another $100. My hope is that I can finally gain some passive income through a physical copy of The Finger Curse. So at least $100 of this money will go towards the final hurdle needed to make it a bigger thing.

Ideally? $1,500 would officially put me above treading water.

$750 is just enough to get me through. I would be eternally grateful, and, as an added thanks, if you send me proof of donation (you don't have to give your real name of course) through Discord or DeviantArt or anywhere else, I will write a short 3-chapter story for you of your choosing.

Hope you're all doing well, ya'll. Be safe and stick together.