Ewe at Gardenworks

We live in a wonderful country, with many glorious qualities. But it is also a country that spends billions of dollars bail out banks and car companies but has largely abandoned libraries and struggling artists and writers to their own fate during a deep and enduring recession. During the Great Depression, the government recognized the need to help artists survive, but our government and political community does not.

I was slow to focus on this myself, perhaps because, like many writers, I was absorbed in my own life and work. But in recent months, I have become much more involved in this issue, in ways I don’t need to discuss here. In particular, I am eager to support the Authors League Fund. The recession has hit many older writers and dramatists particularly hard.

The Authors League Fund helps professsional writes continue their careers, and even their lives, with some dignity at a time when public support has largely vanished and publishing is in  turmoil.

Many of those the Author’s League helps suffer severe health problems and have little or no health insurance. Others face eviction from their homes or are elderly people whose royalties and other income has disappeared as sales and revenues shrink, and the publishing marketplace changes. Some are struggling to finish books so they can earn some income, but are overwhelmed with anxiety and pressure.

I am fortunate to be writing books that continue to sell, although all of us have been affected to some degree, as have virtually all of the people reading this. I want to be mindful of those older writers who are less fortunate. There, but for the Grace of God.

Many people are in need these days, and all of you know people who are laid off or struggling financially.  This is yet another a group that is in dire need, writers struggling to finish their work or even to get medical care. The stories I have been hearing have broken my heart.

For those of you who wish to contribute to older professional writers in great need (they are offered loans that usually are not repaid), you can send contributions to The Authors League Fund, 31 East 32nd Street, 7th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10016. If you know of a professional writer struggling financially, please tell them about the Authors League Fund.

Thanks much.