Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
/OVERVIEW: The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators has grant categories for different types of grantseekers within the field of children’s publishing. Membership in the society is a prerequisite for most grants and awards.
IP TAKE: This is an approachable creative writing and visual arts funder. However, only members of the society are eligible to apply for a grant or award, so if you want to do so, first become a member of the society. They’re also responsive and accessible.
PROFILE: The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) was established in 1971 by a group of children’s writers based in Los Angeles, California. The nonprofit serves as a network between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers and those involved with children’s literature, while also awarding modest-sized grants to authors and illustrators of children’s books. SCBWI has different categories for its Awards and Grants, including those for published and unpublished authors and illustrators, translators and others.
Grants for Creative Writing
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators offers grants and awards for published and aspiring writers who are members of the society and publishing projects.
Emerging Voices Award aims to “foster the emergence of diverse voices in children’s books.” Applicants must be of an ethnic or cultural background that is “traditionally underrepresented” in children’s publishing.
The BIPOC Scholarship funds an “all expense paid trip to the Winter or Summer Conference for Black, Indigenous, and people of color.”
The Work in Progress Award “assist[s] children’s book writers and illustrators in the completion of a specific project currently not under contract.” One winner will be selected for each of the following categories: Picture Book Text, Chapter Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, Multicultural Fiction or Nonfiction, and Translation.
The Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award recognizes “a work-in-progress from an unpublished author over age 50.”
The Ann Whitford Paul—Writer’s Digest Manuscript Award recognizes “the manuscript of a Most Promising Picture Book.” Applicants must be never published or unpublished in the past five years.
The A. Orr Fantasy Grant goes to “young adult and middle grade writers working in the fantasy or science fiction genre.” Only unpublished, pre-published, or self-published authors not under contract are eligible.
The Crystal Kite Award “recognize[s] great books from fifteen SCBWI regional divisions around the world.” Nominees must be published within the previous year and winners are selected by vote by all SCBWI members.
The Golden Kite Award “recognize[s] excellence in children’s literature in six categories: Young Reader and Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction Text for Younger Readers, Nonfiction Text for Older Readers, Picture Book Text, and Picture Book Illustration.”
The Spark Award is given for “excellence in a children’s book published through a non-traditional publishing route,” such as self-publishing.
General Conference Scholarships fund “tuition to the Virtual Conference for any SCBWI member experiencing financial hardship.”
The Out of the Margins Award was created to support “early career underrepresented creators of children’s literature.”
Volemos Grants are for early career “authors of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American heritage” who have published fewer than four books.
Independently Published Pre-publication Grants serve to provide members with financial assistance in self publishing efforts.
Disability Fund Grants support disabled members cover expenses of “anything that would help them create children’s literature.”
Emergency Fund Grants offer support members during times of emergency or hardship.
Kate Dupriak Craft & Community Awards fund “conference tuition to the SCBWI Summer Conference to the author of a promising manuscript who is experiencing a financial barrier.”
Grants for Visual Arts
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators offers grants and awards for published and aspiring illustrators and artists who are members of the society.
Portfolio Awards recognize “the top portfolios submitted to the annual SCBWI Summer or Winter Conferences.” The winner is selected from among portfolios submitted for display by full-time conference attendees.
The Student Illustrator Scholarship supports “full-time graduate or undergraduate students studying illustration.” Winners will receive full tuition to the Winter or Summer Conference.
The Narrative Art Award recognizes “an illustrator of promise based on a given prompt.” Winners will receive an all-expense-paid admission to the New York Winter Conference and have their work displayed in the New York Portfolio Showcase.
The Don Freeman Work-in-Progress Grant “assist[s] illustrators in the completion of a book dummy or portfolio.” Applicants must submit a project that is not currently under contract.
The Crystal Kite Award was established to “recognize great books from fifteen SCBWI regional divisions around the world.” Nominees must be published within the previous year and winners are selected by vote by all SCBWI members.
The Golden Kite Award “recognize[s] excellence in children’s literature in six categories: Young Reader and Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction Text for Younger Readers, Nonfiction Text for Older Readers, Picture Book Text, and Picture Book Illustration.”
The Spark Award recognizes “excellence in a children’s book published through a non-traditional publishing route,” such as self-publishing.
The Featured Illustrator Award is given monthly to an illustrator whose work will be featured on the SCBWI website.
Bologna Scholarships support travel and accommodations for two illustrators to attend the Bologna Book Fair.
The Ezra Jack Keats Showcase Prize supports and recognizes the work of a “promising BIPOC illustrator.”
The Out of the Margins Award supports “early career underrepresented creators of children’s literature.”
Important Grant Details
Grants and awards generally range from $1,000 to $4,000.
Grants, awards and scholarships are awarded in amounts set by each program and may specify what funds are to be used for.
This funder’s programs are apt to change from year to year; check back periodically for new opportunities.
Eligibility, guidelines and due dates vary by program, but the society accepts applications and/or nominations for each of its grant and award programs.
Grantseekers may review previous winners of each grant and award on the individual web pages.
Most awards are only available to current dues-paying members of SCBWI.
The society can be contacted via email at support@scbwi.zendesk.com or telephone at (256) 634-6982.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINK:
