All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
Author, Celebration, Literary Grant

Literary Grant: I won

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I have never ever applied for a grant of any kind. Yet this year I heard of a literary grant being offered from our Art Council in town. Figured it couldn’t hurt to attend one of the workshops I learned some key tips on how to make the application shine.

I decided to apply for all they could say was no. So by August 25th I filled out the forms, got recommendations from a few people, scanned and printed the budget supported materials that would be in the budget plan and dotted my i’s and crossed my t’s. The grant would run for the entire year of 2014. The waiting game began. I did not literally count the days, we all have lives.

One day in November I walked to my mailbox to find a letter from the council. I dropped all the letters I had in my hand to the payment as I opened it up. Anyone driving or walking by would have seen a craze woman looking at the sky with tears in her eyes as her mail surrounded her at her feet. Only seven people were selected from my county and I was one of them. This has blown me away. I can add this to my resume of accomplishments. The goal of this grant was people in the literary field and how to advance their career to the next level.

I feel truly fortunate that they felt my application deserved the funds that were requested to help me on my next journey. It has given me motivation to try for more grants. For again all they can say is no, right?

Author, Published, Royalty check

My First Royalty Check

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I received my first royalty check recently. With that comes great responsibilities. Okay maybe that is a bit of an overstatement. It was for the preordered copies of my book prior to September 7th when it was officially released.

Since I been recording every step of the way on this journey I printed out the statement from PayPal signifying the next step on this road. I have read, and I agree, to celebrate every success regardless how small versus how big. I been doing that with videos, pictures, copies of statements and the likes. I been posting on all my social media outlets that I have created over the last few years. This was a special occasion though hence the motivation behind the picture. I treated myself to one of my favorite desserts, tiramisu, and a glass of wine with my lunch.

But to receive payment for something I absolutely love to do is amazing to me. I have heard of this happening from athletes to business people and all in between. But since I became disabled from a career I absolutely loved, which was a chemist, I have not had that luxury of enjoying being paid in money for a job.

It has now happened, the money has been transferred to my account and it sits waving at me with a big smile on its face. I am sure it is saying, “Way to go Sharon. You’re on your way.” I like to think it is saying that.

Here’s to the many people who are writers and are trying to make it happen. I wish you must success whether that be big or small. Just enjoy the ride.