If you’re an Alaska writer or artist, you could pick up a nice wad of cash.

Up to $7,500, to be exact.

The Rasmuson Foundation offers Individual Artist Award grants to emerging Alaska artists.

Better yet, they’re offering “secrets” to procuring a grant via a live video chat with three past award recipients.

Applicants can ask question prior to and during the chat through Facebook, or Twitter (hashtag questions #YourArtAK).

The video conference takes place Monday, January 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. and can be accessed at www.rasmuson.org.

I’ve been awarded two $5,000 Rasmuson grants in the past, and I doubt that I could have finished my book without them. It wasn’t only the money, which I desperately needed and desperately appreciated, but the mental/emotional support, the knowledge that someone believed in me enough to “pay” me to finish my project.

Such support can mean a lot. It can mean the difference between a published book or a pile of pages stuffed in a desk drawer.

I encourage any writer working on a book, short story college, script, etc., to apply. There’s no application fee. There’s basically nothing to lose, except an opportunity that might change your life.

Grant deadline is March 1. More information can be found in this press release.