The Authors League Fund

Since 1917, the Authors League Fund has been helping professional writers and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income or other misfortune.

The Fund gives open-ended, interest-free, no-strings-attached loans. These loans are not grants or scholarships meant to subsidize personal writing projects. (It should be kept in mind that many of the Fund’s resources come from other professional writers, agents, and publishers).

Most of those we help suffer severe health problems but have inadequate or no insurance; some face eviction; many are older writers whose income has ceased through no fault of their own. The Fund exists to help professional writers continue their careers, even their lives, with dignity—however unfortunate their immediate circumstances—by providing interest-free loans, many of which are never repaid.

The applicants’ own words are the most eloquent description of the need and gratitude felt for our League Fund:

My eyes filled with tears when I opened that envelope. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the help you have given me. The pain and loss my husband and I have experienced over the last few years was made more bearable by your kindness and generosity. I don’t know how to thank you.

It is so refreshing, after feeling such defeat, shock and hopelessness, to now see that I am getting back on my feet and have the tools that I need to work.

I want you to know that you have touched my life and the lives of my daughters in a way that has given us the means to make it through one of the most challenging seasons of our lives. Thank you for helping us through this temporary hardship.

I only wish you could all know how much such help means when you feel so helpless and frightened and unable to figure out how to move forward. That helping hand, stuck out at just the right time, made me suddenly feel as though I could take control of my career again and make things happen on my own. This is a blessing I cannot even describe to you.

In one fell swoop you rescued me from continuous, stomach-churning worrying and some nasty fiscal problems. I am extremely grateful. I hope some day that you guys call on me to help in some way. I’ll be there, believe me.

The check made such a difference. It was even instrumental in keeping the basics, like my lights and phone, up and running as well as helping with rent. So, while it may seem small to you, it isn’t to me. And I am grateful.

We encourage you to share information about the Fund with other career writers in need of assistance.