Indie Author Fund
What are the anthologies?
The Muse & Margins Anthology Program is a twice-yearly collection of short fiction built around one simple idea: stories should create opportunities for more stories to be told.
Each anthology brings together independent fiction writers to create a professionally published collection centered around a shared theme. For contributing authors, it's an opportunity to challenge their craft, reach new readers, grow their audience, and have their work published alongside other writers in the indie community.
But the impact doesn't stop with publication.
100% of Muse & Margins' proceeds from the anthologies go directly into the Indie Author Fund, which provides grants to independent fiction writers pursuing their writing and publishing goals.
Those grants can help cover expenses like editing, cover design, formatting, marketing, ISBNs, author websites, writing conferences, workshops and courses, contest entry fees, research materials, and more. Recipients are never required to spend their grant with Muse & Margins or use our services.
The goal is to create a cycle of writers supporting writers: today's authors share their stories, readers support the anthology, and those stories create opportunities for another writer to take their next step.
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What Is the Indie Author Fund?
The fund is a grant program created to put money directly back into the independent writing community.
It's is supported by proceeds from Muse & Margins anthologies, with 100% of those proceeds going back to writers. Once the Fund reaches $150, applications open and one independent fiction writer is selected to receive the grant. As the Fund grows, our goal is to increase the amount we're able to award and eventually support even more writers.
Grant funds can be used to help with the costs that come with writing, learning, and publishing—from professional editing, cover design, and formatting to writing courses, conferences, contest entry fees, marketing, ISBNs, websites, research materials, and more.
Recipients are never required to use their grant with Muse & Margins. Writers are free to choose the editors, designers, educators, services, and opportunities that are right for them.
At its heart, the fund is about creating a cycle of writers supporting writers. Stories published today help another writer take their next step tomorrow.
How Is It Funded?
It's built by the writing community, for the writing community. Funding comes from two primary sources: our anthology program and voluntary donations.
Anthology Proceeds
Muse & Margins publishes two themed fiction anthologies each year, bringing together independent authors to share their stories, reach new readers, and give back to the community.
100% of Muse & Margins' proceeds from anthology sales go directly into the Writer's Fund. As readers purchase the anthologies, the Fund grows, creating a cycle where stories being told today help make it possible for more stories to be told tomorrow.
Community Donations
Individuals who believe in the mission of the fund will also have the opportunity to contribute directly to the fund. Donations allow readers, authors, publishing professionals, and other members of the literary community to help us reach the next grant sooner and increase the support we're able to provide over time.
Every dollar contributed to the fund—whether generated through anthology sales or given directly—stays in the fund until it is awarded to a writer.
As the fund grows, so can its impact. Our long-term goal is to increase grant amounts and eventually support multiple writers during each funding cycle while maintaining a transparent system that shows our community exactly how much has been raised and awarded.
What Can the Grant Be Used For?
It's designed to help independent fiction writers overcome the financial barriers that can make it harder to move their writing careers forward.
Grant funds can be used for expenses related to writing, publishing, professional development, and reaching readers, including:
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Developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading
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Cover design
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Interior and ebook formatting
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ISBN purchases
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Marketing and advertising
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Author websites and other publishing-related costs
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Writing conferences and book events
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Workshops, courses, and other educational opportunities
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Writing contest entry fees
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Research materials
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Other writing or publishing expenses that directly support an author's goals
The grant doesn't have to fund an entire expense. If $150 helps cover part of an edit, course, conference registration, cover design, or another larger investment, that's still a valid use of the fund.
Recipients are never required to hire Muse & Margins or purchase any Muse & Margins service with their grant. Writers choose where and how to use their award based on what will best help them take their next step.
As the und growsf, we hope to grow the grants along with it, giving writers even more opportunities to invest in their stories, their craft, and their publishing goals.
Who Can Apply?
It's is open to independent fiction writers who are actively working toward a writing, publishing, or professional development goal.
You do not need to be a published author, have an established platform, or have a large social media following to apply. Writers at different stages of their journey are welcome, whether you're working toward your first publication or continuing to build an established indie career.
To be eligible, applicants must:
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Be 18 years of age or older.
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Be actively writing fiction.
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Be pursuing independent publication or building a career as an independent author.
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Have a current writing project or professional writing goal that the grant will support.
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Be able to explain how the funds would help them take a meaningful next step.
Muse & Margins anthology contributors are welcome to apply. Contributing a story to one of our anthologies does not make an author ineligible for the fund, nor does it give them preference during the selection process. Their application will be reviewed using the same criteria as every other applicant.
Previous grant recipients may also apply again in future funding cycles. However, whether an applicant has previously received a Muse & Margins Writer's Fund grant may be considered as a tie-breaking factor when otherwise equally qualified applicants are being considered.
The fund is about creating opportunities for indie writers—not rewarding publication history, popularity, or platform size. Applicants will not be evaluated based on the number of books they've published, their follower count, or the size of their existing audience.
How Does the Fund Work?
The Muse & Margins Indie Author Fund grows through anthology proceeds and community contributions. Once the Fund reaches $150, a new grant cycle begins.
Here's what writers can expect:
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Applications open for 30 days once the Fund reaches the amount needed to award the next grant.
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Eligible indie authors can submit an application explaining their current project or writing goal, how they would use the funds, and how the grant would help them move forward.
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After applications close, each eligible application is reviewed using the same 100-point scoring system.
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One recipient receives the $150 grant at the end of the funding cycle.
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Any money already in the Fund above the $150 being awarded stays in the Fund and counts toward the next grant.
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Once the Fund reaches $150 again, another application cycle can begin.
For example, if the Fund has grown to $215 when a grant is awarded, $150 will go to the selected recipient and the remaining $65 will stay in the Fund. That means the next grant is already $65 closer to opening.
As the Indie Author Fund grows, we hope to increase the amount we're able to award and eventually offer grants to multiple writers within a funding cycle.
There is no set number of grants awarded each year. The more the community contributes, the more writers the Fund can support.
How Are Recipients Selected?
We want every applicant to know that their application is being considered fairly and for the same reasons as everyone else's.
Each eligible application is reviewed using a 100-point scoring system designed around the mission of the Indie Author Fund. Applications are evaluated in five areas:
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Impact of the Grant – 35 Points
How clearly the applicant explains what the funds will be used for, whether the grant will help remove a real obstacle, whether the proposed use is realistic, and what milestone it could help them reach. -
Commitment to Their Writing – 25 Points
The applicant's progress, demonstrated commitment to their writing or professional development, plan for moving forward, and passion for what they're pursuing. -
Clarity & Thoughtfulness – 20 Points
How clearly and thoughtfully the applicant explains their project or goal, intended use of the funds, and why receiving the grant matters to them. -
Community Contribution – 10 Points
The ways the applicant participates in and supports the writing community, whether through writing groups, mentorship, supporting fellow authors, literary communities, or other forms of involvement. -
Financial Need – 10 Points
Whether the applicant has explained a financial barrier and how receiving the grant would make a meaningful difference in their ability to move forward. We will never require tax returns, income verification, or other financial documentation.
All eligible applications are evaluated using the same criteria.
Publication history, follower count, platform size, genre, and personal relationships with Muse & Margins are not considered when determining a recipient. Previous clients and anthology contributors receive no preference and are evaluated using the same process as every other applicant.
If two or more applicants receive the same final score, additional tie-breaking factors may be considered, including which applicant would benefit most immediately from the grant, which application most closely aligns with the Fund's mission, and whether an applicant has previously received an Indie Author Fund grant.
Our Commitment to Fairness & Transparency
The Muse & Margins Indie Author Fund exists to support writers, and we believe the way the Fund is managed should reflect that mission.
Transparency
We want our community to be able to see the impact they're helping create. Funds received by the Indie Author Fund and grants awarded will be publicly accounted for so writers, anthology contributors, readers, and supporters can see how the Fund is growing and where the money is going.
Money designated for the Indie Author Fund will remain in the Fund until it is awarded to an eligible recipient.
Fairness
Every eligible application will be evaluated using the same published scoring criteria. Applicants will not receive preferential treatment because of their publication history, audience size, previous work with Muse & Margins, or participation in a Muse & Margins anthology.
Anthology contributors are welcome to apply, but contributing to an anthology does not increase an applicant's chances of receiving a grant.
Conflicts of Interest
Personal or professional relationships with Muse & Margins will never be used as a reason to favor an applicant.
If a reviewer has a relationship with an applicant that could reasonably affect their ability to evaluate the application fairly, they will not participate in scoring that application.
Freedom to Choose
Receiving an Indie Author Fund grant does not require an author to purchase services from Muse & Margins.
Recipients are free to use the grant with the editor, cover designer, formatter, educator, event, contest, service provider, or other eligible resource that best fits their goals.
The Indie Author Fund is here to help writers move forward—not to determine where they have to go next.