Grants for First-Time Publications

The Authors' Foundation (UK)

• The Authors' Foundation offers an annual grant for a writer, including a first-time writer, who has received a publishing contract in the United Kingdom. The grant is for between 1,000 and 3,500 British pounds; it is meant to cover travel and research costs while you work on the project. There are two application periods for this grant: summer and winter. Authors may apply to either one of the grant periods, but may not apply to both periods in the same year. To apply for this grant, writers should send a letter of inquiry that includes information about the writer and project, such as a brief bio and project description, the name of the publisher, and a financial statement that includes any advances paid. The statement should also explain how much money the writer needs and what the money will be used for. It should also list any grants that the author received in the past three years.

  Authors' Foundation

  The Society of Authors

  84 Drayton Gardens

  London SW10 9SB

  020-7373-6642

  http://www.societyofauthors.org

Kickstarter

• Kickstarter is a website that offers grants for first-time writers and other creative artists to complete projects. The project creator posts a proposal explaining the project and how much money he needs. Other users of the site donate money to the project. If the writer receives the amount he asked for within 90 days, he gets the grant. If not, he gets nothing and the other users' credit cards are not charged for the donations. Kickstart helps first-time writers complete their projects; funding requests for non-creative purposes, like living expenses, are not allowed. To apply for this grant, a writer signs up with Kickstarter and posts his proposal. There is no minimum or maximum request amount; the writer should be specific about what he needs, and what the money will be used for, to encourage others to donate funds.

  Kickstarter

  kickstarter.com

Montana Arts Council

• The Montana Arts Council offers grants to first-time writers in Montana, as well as writers who are in a later stage of their careers. The grants are for up to $1,000 and are offered once a month. The writer may not begin his project until after the grant is approved; the council does not fund projects after they have begun. In addition, the writer must have lived in Montana for at least one year prior to applying for the grant, and may not be a high school or college student. To apply for this grant, a writer must register with the Arts Council's website and fill out an online application form. The form includes information about the artist, the project, and what the funds will be used for. The Arts Council evaluates applications on the second Tuesday of the following month. Applicants may listen in on the evaluation meeting if they wish.

  Montana Arts Council

  PO Box 202201

  Helena MT 59620-2201

  406-444-6430

  art.mt.gov