Recent Examples of Writers Helped by the RLF

An acclaimed poet had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing several months of chemotherapy. She was unable to meet her writing deadlines and could not take up poetry reading opportunities. The Committee made her a grant to help with bills while she was receiving treatment.

 

A short-story writer had developed multiple sclerosis in 1990 and her mobility had become increasingly impaired. She relied on a voice-activated computer which was antiquated and unreliable. The Committee decided to buy her a new computer, printer and software.

An award-winning playwright in her seventies suffered from arthritis and had been unable to write for several months. Following surgery, she was recovering gradually but found that commissions were drying up. She was worried about falling into debt and planned to sell her flat when she was stronger. The Committee awarded her an annual pension to provide a secure income.

A writer of maritime histories had published one book a year for ten years but changes at his publishing house had led to two book deals being abandoned. He had various non-writing projects in progress but had had to increase his mortgage to help clear his debts. The Committee made him a grant.

A prolific comic crimewriter had suffered a stroke which had affected his mobility and his short-term memory. He had had to leave his salaried job, and was unable to concentrate on writing. He had given up smoking and alcohol on his doctor's advice but recovery was gradual. The Committee awarded a grant and invited him to apply again in a year's time.

A biographer had experienced a particularly bad year. She had broken her wrist and been unable to write for several months. Her husband, who suffered from chronic depression had required increased support while his medication was changed. Her latest book was two years away from publication. The couple were thinking of selling their house to help clear their debts. The Committee made her a grant to help her through a difficult period.

A playwright and performance poet had spent three decades touring village halls and schools all over the world. He had subsisted on low earnings throughout his life, and following retirement and the collapse of his marriage, he was trying to survive on benefits. The Committee made him a grant within the disregard regulations to supplement his low income.

An award-winning poet had relocated to the South of England and been unable to live in her new house until essential building work was carried out. She had become ill with depression and agoraphobia and had to take time out from writing. She was worried about debts and felt compelled to find a full-time job. The Committee made her a substantial grant to help her make a fresh start.

A freelance journalist and biographer, who had had a successful career for many years, developed an acute allergy syndrome which had taken some time to diagnose. He had been unable to work for several months and his debts had begun to accumulate. The Committee made him a grant to help compensate for his loss of earnings.

A children's novelist had supplemented her income from writing by letting rooms in her house. However, problems with her son and his partner, who were long-term drug dependent, had resulted in her having to live with her two grandchildren to prevent them being taken into care. She was now struggling to manage and had taken out a bank loan to cover additional expenditure. The Committee made her a grant and helped clear some of her debts.

A poet and literary critic had led an active life in retirement until he became ill and could no longer be looked after by his wife. He had anticipated that his academic pension would provide reasonable comfort in his old age, but all of his income was being eaten up by care home fees and other bills. The Committee made him an annual pension.

An elderly poet who lived in Europe had developed health problems and was finding it difficult to meet the cost of medical care and drugs. He continued to write in spite of deteriorating eyesight but made little income. The Committee awarded him a pension.