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From the President's Desk

911 for Freelancers

by Bob Bittner

2007-11

When it comes to preparing for the future, I'm not the best. I assume that everything that's currently fine -- in terms of business, home, and health -- will continue to be fine. And I assume anything I'm currently struggling with will soon pass.

This isn't the most clear-headed perspective. The unexpected happens. Life's circumstances change, sometimes for the worst. And freelance writers, who are likely working without any kind of disability insurance or substantial savings, can struggle to keep the cash flowing when serious trials strike.

ASJA's Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (WEAF) was created to help freelancers who find themselves facing such desperate situations. Launched in 1982 as the Llewellyn Miller Fund and administered through the ASJA Charitable Trust, WEAF has aided more than 150 struggling writers -- members and non-members alike. It's an incredible form of outreach in which all ASJA members can take a great deal of pride.

Here's the story of one recent recipient of a WEAF grant: A long-time ASJA member I'll call David (not his real name) is 62 years old, and an accomplished author of over 1,000 published articles and five books. He's been beset by medical problems, including Type 2 diabetes, attention-deficit symptoms caused by a long-ago head injury and a heart disorder. In 2005, he went bankrupt, due to some bad investments. Despite his health issues, he has been working as hard as he can, without a safety net of savings. Yet even though his income has dropped by 75 percent, he was getting by until he was hit recently by medical bills not covered by his insurance, unexpected car repairs and writing projects that were cancelled or delayed by his publishers. He was left destitute, facing an impending eviction.

When he contacted WEAF, he had less than $175 in the bank. He was unable to pay his March rent of $800, a health insurance premium of $638, February and March car payments totaling $954.60 and medical bills of over $1,000. Not to mention groceries, phone and other necessities. He simply didn't have the money.

David had some writing projects in the works, had applied for others, and was doing his utmost to generate income. He believed that he could turn things around. Meanwhile, he applied for a WEAF grant, writing that the money would "allow me a bit of breathing room so I can prime the pump again."

The WEAF trustees agreed that David was a qualified recipient, so they voted to give him the maximum grant allowed by the fund: $3,500. (The WEAF maximum has since been raised to $5,000. )

After receiving the grant, David shared this with the fund's trustees: "My efforts to attract work during this 'breathing period' appear to have paid off. I have signed a six-week 'tryout' work-for-hire agreement with a major firm to write speeches and other stuff for an executive.

"If I had been unable to buy my prescription drugs or been evicted, or even if I had remained at the brink of eviction, I would not have been physically, emotionally or mentally able to make this deal nor follow through on this opportunity. It has the potential to turn my financial life around.

"Having my immediate needs and past-due bills taken care of freed me to concentrate on rebuilding my professional life and enabled me to negotiate a fair deal with my new client, something I may not have been able to carry off with desperation obvious in my voice. Indeed, the confidence of having even the short-term security of bills paid and a little money in the bank for the next month allowed me to hold out (briefly) for a better deal than what was initially offered.

"Of course, my first paycheck won't arrive for several weeks, so I went ahead and sold my car, thereby bringing in more cash and lowering my monthly outgo. The cash will be spent buying an older used car, but I doubt I would have had the confidence to sell my newer one because in the event of eviction I would have needed to be mobile. Selling my auto without having the short-term security of the WEAF grant would have been scary.

"If the new contract position opportunity had not arisen -- something that wasn't even on the horizon when I applied -- I faced literally being on the streets. Imagine me holding up a sign at an intersection saying, 'Chronically ill Ph.D. will write for food and shelter!' A few weeks ago, that was a relatively imminent possibility.

"Whew. I'd better get back to work now to make sure that eventuality doesn't recur down the line."

If you or any freelancers you know are facing similar circumstances, please review the information at www.asja.org/weaf.php and consider applying for a grant.

On the other hand, if you happen to find yourself on a solid financial footing, please make a generous donation to this remarkable fund. Your gift is tax-deductible. And the results can be truly life-saving.

Bob Bittner, ASJA's president, lives in Charlotte, MI (which, for reasons unknown to him, is pronounced "shar-LOT"). Reach him at prez@asja.org.

Bob Bittner, ASJA's president, lives in Charlotte, MI (which, for reasons unknown to him, is pronounced "shar-LOT"). Reach him at prez(at)asja.org.