Pandemic-Related Resources for Writers and Literary Organizations

Pandemic-Related Aid for Writers & Literary Organizations

Resources are available from public and private sources to meet the emergency needs facing writers and literary organizations during the current pandemic 

In April, the Whiting Foundation organized webinars led by Amy Smith to share the most current information available about how to research and apply for some of these resources. Static notes from those conversations are online:

     * Federal relief programs for individuals (PPP, EIDL) as of April 2020
     * Federal relief programs for organizations (PPP, EIDL) as of April 2020
     * Unemployment for freelancers and self-employed writers


Note that since these webinars were held, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was signed into law on June 5, 2020, adding flexibility to the loan period and how the loan may be used. This article from Investopedia offers a recap of changes to the program. The National Council of Nonprofits also maintains an updated summary of loans available via the CARES Act.
 

Luiza Teixeira-Vesey of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) also spoke on a webinar about private grant programs and aid from state and local government sources. Her tips on researching and obtaining emergency grants are laid out online here. Grant programs and resources for writers and other arists are being compiled and curated by several literary organizations, including:

     * The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA; has national scope)
     * The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP)
     * LitNet
     * Poets & Writers (P&W)
     * The Authors Guild

 

In May, the Whiting Foundation organized webinars led by Michael Chin (Books Are Magic) and Maris Kreizman to share information about hosting and promoting online events using platforms like Zoom. Static notes from those conversations are online:

     * WF notes from the webinar
     * Zoom settings guide — Meeting (Michael Chin)
     * Zoom settings guide — Webinar (Michael Chin)
     * Books Are Magic author prep sheet — Meeting (Michael Chin)
     * Prep sheet — Webinar (Michael Chin)