MFA can also stand for Manu’s Fundraiser Attempt

Dear Scoop community and general population,

Five years ago I started a journey towards my dream of dedicating my life and work to writing. In 2018 I finished my undergrad studies in Publishing with great achievements. But now I have a bigger goal: a Master of Fine Arts degree! Combined with the dreams of a young writer are the desires for finding a new home far away. This is not something I can do staying in Brazil, which means that graduate school is possibly my best ticket out and only opportunity to pursue a career abroad.

Why creative writing abroad?

To be honest, writing is the one thing I know how to do best, it's the thing that makes me proud and happy. I'm passionate about this, I want to work in one of the most prolific publishing industries in the world. It's a difficult choice, as life is full of difficult choices, but it's time for me to follow my heart and try. I want to be in the US, I want the challenge of adapting to a different culture and use my background as an advantage when creating fiction.

So, in the next few months, I'll be applying for several schools in the Midwest.

As you can imagine, the process is quite costly. (And, oh boy, exchange rates are not in my favor now...) For that reason, I am trying something that makes me a little bit embarrassed, yes, but very much needed to get a chance to achieve this dream.

This is my MFA to the MFA, a.k.a. Manu's Fundraiser Attempt to my Master of Fine Arts degree pursue.(I think this pun deserves at least one dollar...)

The goal is to just raise the funds necessary to pay for the things that I have to pay internationally, like the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and application fees. I will not be publicly disclosing the institutions to which I'm applying, but I can break down the numbers bellow. WHEN I get accepted, I will obviously give everyone the good news and the name of the school. I am also adding a little buffer in the goal, just cover the GoGetFunding fee.

What are you helping me with?

• GRE test and score reports: US$ 205 + 162 (test fee + additional score reports)
• TOEFL scores reports: US$ 200 (10 score reports)
• Application fees: US$ 695
• (+ GoGetFunding fee)

What can I offer as a token of gratitude?

Even though this type of fundraiser doesn't require me to give something in return, I would like to offer simple things as a very sincere thank you. If you want it, you request directly. (I’ll find a way to add some form of contact here) The list of odd goodies includes letters, postcards from Rio, recipes of Brazilian dishes with tips, playlists of Brazilian music, a list of Brazilian movies (to indicate, not exactly to send you the movie), pictures of Rio from the 30th floor, a Skype call (limited amount), a short piece of fiction (original material), animal facts... The list can go on, but that's the basic idea. I offer a piece of my creative mind as a humble gift.

About the deadline

I had to keep it open because the website only allows me to set an end date up to 4 months after the beginning of the campaign, but the money can be raised (and will be spent) until late January 2020. However, as soon as we hit the goal, I will be shutting off the fundraiser for obvious reasons. Any amount of money that ends up not being used will be donated.

Why GoGetFunding?

The website operates internationally, is pretty simple to use and I can link it to PayPal, that lowers the discounts with international transactions.

Thank you very much for your attention and donation!

If you can’t donate, no problem, you can help by sharing this message ;)

Salt pork for all the scoops.