Dear 49 Writers Community,
The year 2020 has been challenging on so many levels, for reasons with which we are all well familiar. Yet through it all, Alaskan writers did what you do best: you wrote. Despite the discouraging and exhausting days of a year of chaotic extremes, you found time to put words to your experiences, and to share them. You contributed short works to 49 Writer’s spring broadside invitational, Writing the Distance; you penned commentaries that appeared across the state; you told important stories in journals and magazines; and you finished books and launched them. Throughout this difficult year, you persevered.
At 49 Writers, it has also been a challenging year. In the spring, we faced financial impacts related to the pandemic that required us to transition from an organization with a full-time Executive Director to an organization run predominantly by volunteers. We’ve restructured carefully, over many months, in an effort to achieve lasting sustainability, which has meant developing a lean budget and trying to live within it. We’ve continued to sponsor classes and host readings, provided information about the literary happenings in a weekly newsletter, and shared insights about writing and life through blog posts and podcasts created and produced by members of the board. We’re succeeding so far in keeping things running, but we need your help if we are to remain the engaged and dynamic organization that we want to be.
Donations from those who value the programs and services we provide are more important now than ever. Membership fees cover only a fraction of the funds needed to keep 49 Writers going, and in these times of great economic hardship other funding sources are not likely to be available to us in the long run. So we are counting on you – our members and others who benefit from our work – to support us as generously as you can.
It’s easy to make a donation. Members can visit our website to increase your membership level. Non-members can visit our website to join at a membership level that best suits you. And anyone who prefers to donate by check can mail one to: 49 Writers, Inc, P.O. Box 140014, Anchorage, AK 99514. Donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted, and all donors above the basic membership level ($49) will be publicly acknowledged through the newsletter and website.
Together, we can make 2021 a better year for all of us. We’re already working on some great classes, readings, craft talks and events for the coming season, and we’re exploring how best to continue expanding our presence and programming across the state. Won’t you join us and make a contribution today?
Thank you very much for your consideration.
The Board of Directors
49 Writers, Inc.