Beloveds! My last year has been pretty damn rough and wonderful. A year ago this month  a long term relationship ended. Soon after, my rent went up, my insurance went up. Work has slowed down. My life has changed in intense ways, leaving me financially struggling and thankfully, creatively abundant.

Next month I will be traveling the entire month. The first part of my travels will be a camping trip with my bestie for soul nourishment, and the second part I will be in Vermont for the Breadloaf Writer's Workshop. I received a fellowship to attend but it won't cover my living expenses while I am away. I thought I was going to be able to pull it off but as I'm mostly self-employed, my finances are feast or famine. Folks, the last few months have been a famine. I need help.

August will be a writing month. I'm finishing edits on my book. I'm shaping and reshaping my short story collection. I'm close, Gods, I am so close to having these creative projects ready to go into the world but it is hard to focus when I'm worried my electricity will go out because I'm barely covering my bills. I'm surviving, but like too many of us, it is a struggle.

My counselor brings me to the same mantra every time we meet: giving is control and receiving is surrender. I really like giving.  I have a hell of a hard time receiving. Even though it itches terribly at my ego and ideas of independence, I need help. Asking is hard.

If you like my writing or the way I laugh at inappropriate moments, I'm asking for a bit of help. The amount I'm asking for will cover my rent and insurances, leaving me a small cushion for travel related expenses and the inevitable unexpected.  Honestly, anything will help.

Here, I surrender. I love you.