Unlike many professions, literary art doesn’t operate within a strictly capitalist framework of effort versus reward. A writer’s labor may not produce monetary compensation for years. Craft is key, but can writers sustain the conditions of possibility that make a serious pursuit of craft possible?

This workshop will discuss the controversial relationship between art and money in an industry that isn’t known for its transparency with numbers or its responsiveness to outreach efforts. We will discuss the many ways writers support themselves financially, advocate for their work, negotiate fair compensation for their labor, and pay their bills while doing what they love.

We will further discuss the basics of personal finance, including savings, budgeting, and investing, and come up with a plan for financial sustainability that is context-aware and unique to your path with writing. This workshop is ideal for early career writers who don’t have access to generational, family, or spousal wealth.

Talking Taboo: Financial Literacy and Sustainability for Writers | Led by Namrata Poddar