The Authors League Fund

The Authors League Fund provides assistance to book authors, dramatists, and, less frequently, freelance writers and journalists. Loan recipients must fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Book authors with a substantial body of work published by established publishers (not subsidiary presses, vanity presses, or other self-publishing operations).


• Dramatists whose plays have been produced in theaters with at least 200 seats and/​or published by established publishers.


• Journalists and freelance writers who have published at least ten articles in publications with a national or broad circulation.

The applicant’s status as a professional writer is vital. While it is not necessary that the applicant subsist solely on his or her income from writing or publish often, it is important that his or her writing credits be accomplished.

Priority is given to sick and/​or older authors in need. Common applicants include:

• Writers of any age in ill health or supporting a dependent family member in ill health.


• Writers faced with overwhelming medical or dental bills.


• Writers suffering loss of income, underemployment, or specific legal problems such as eviction proceedings.

Because the Fund seeks to help as many qualified applicants as possible, the assistance offered is temporary in nature. Applicants who receive loans are not eligible for additional assistance for a period of twelve months, except under the most extreme conditions.

This list is not comprehensive, and the Authors League Fund is not responsible for the information compiled. If you have further information that might be helpful to writers in need, please contact us.