In 2022, I won this very unexpected grant. It arrived at the worst time in my writing career, as well. I was unable to write due to a lot of factors. I even completely forgot I applied to the PEN America Writers Emergency Fund.
The grant acceptance was the very unexpected push I needed to get myself back on my feet. I still couldn’t write as much, but still, the grant helped deal with an emergency.
In addition to the funds awarded, I was granted complimentary year-long membership to PEN America.