Help Wanz get to Ireland!!

An exciting update I need your help with! I’m requesting help to get to Ireland for a writing retreat I was recently selected for this summer: https://gofund.me/ccf9185f7 

Many of you know, I’m working on a novel since late 2024, and am on track to wrap the first draft this Fall! In so doing, I’m applying for grants and residencies and fellowships and retreats—and I received partial support to attend a writing experience with the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing (MVICW) in September!

And then… PLOT TWIST, another opportunity that I initially received a decline from reached out at the end of April, with additional funding, to join an experience called Writing the Next World organized by Bog & Thunder, traveling to Ireland, with Autum & adrienne maree brown!!! (HUZZAH!)

After considering it (and getting many nudges from a few friends to ask for help,) I got on a payment plan with the organization and put down a deposit for the experience. And now: my ask for help: to reduce hardships in paying for this experience, I am asking support from my friends, family and greater network to raise around $2K to support with this overall experience. (I managed to cover the MVICW trip, but didn’t anticipate getting this international experience with a writer, like amb, who I deeply admire.)

Here is a link to my GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/ccf9185f7 

Anything you can offer in support would be amazing! If you are able to donate, I will follow-up with all contributors and make sure to offer some big updates around the novel, but also updates around the trips to Ireland in July and Martha’s Vineyard in September. Whatever you can contribute, would be amazing!!

In my applications, I leaned into the community that also leans into me, especially as I’ve cultivated and have facilitated in collegiate days, back with writing groups in the Bay, virtually in writing workshops with peers globally, and even now, in my time here in Chicago. So now, I’m leaning into community for support. Let me know what you can offer (even if it’s just to share this opportunity with others) and thank you advance!