According to the webpage, the Don Freeman Work-In-Progress Grants are available to all members of the SCBWI, regardless of membership level, who are working on a picture book or their portfolio. They are not available for projects on which there is already a contract.
Two grants of $1,000 each will be awarded annually. One grant to a published illustrator and one to an pre-published illustrator. The money may be used in any way to help you complete your project. Acceptable uses include: purchasing art supplies, enrollment in workshops or conferences, courses in advanced illustrating or writing techniques, travel for research or to expose work to publishers/art directors, or childcare.
Enrolment is open and ends on March 31, 2017. Visit the webpage to for complete information and guidelines to submit. As always, good luck.
The deadline is fast approaching for Scholastic’s Graphix Imprint contest. Up to FIVE talented debut graphic novelists will win the chance to be published by Scholastic’s Graphix imprint. The editors involved in selecting submissions have a focus on creator-driven graphic novels appropriate for children and teens that bring exceptional art, rich content and strong storytelling to realistic fiction, memoir, fantasy and beyond.
Winners will receive an offer to publish their work with Scholastic and a $15,000 advance! Be sure to check out the complete guidelines before entering. And take note, graphic novelists need to hurry because the deadline is April 1, 2017. (I’m not a-foolin’!)
Holy-moly! It’s another picture book contest. Things are looking up for the PB writers and illustrators, indeed. On March 26, 2017Michelle Hauck and Sharon Chriscoe will co-host a Picture Book Party. Submission will open at noon EST and will close when 250 entrants have been received. You need to have a completed and polished PB manuscript and illustrations are encouraged to be submitted (if you’re an illustrator). The agent round will be between April 5-7, 2017. Be sure to checkout the complete guidelines on the website. You can also follow helpful hints for all writers on the twitter hashtag #PBParty.
It’s time for another picture book twitter party using #PBPitch! So, if you write or illustrate picture books, this is the event for you. This party will take place Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 8am-8pm EST. But remember, anyone can trawl the feed, so be sure and do your research! There will be legit agents and editors that pop in and out, including those that haven’t confirmed attendance. But those that have confirmed are:
Be sure and only pitch once before 2pm and once after! (Yes, twice is all you get per manuscript!) If you’re an illustrator, you can attach an image to the pitch. For complete rules and proper hashtags, go here.
Please note, these are solely my thoughts and nothing more. But, I had to share, regardless of how shallow my readers might think me to be. Recently I got asked to select a free book from a publisher to read. It was my choice, so I could’ve selected anything. I was slightly familiar with the publisher, since I know someone that edits for them. Thus, I was thrilled to take my freebie! (Besides…booooooks people!)
Now, we’ve all heard the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”. And sure, this holds true for many things, especially humans. But in marketing, what’s in front of a consumer must be visually stimulating. And I confess, I am a consumer that needs roused to pick up a book before I’ve ever read the blurb. But from a marketing standpoint, this is just smart business!
So, imagine my dismay as I perused unpleasant cover art from various titles to select my awarded freebie. Most looked cheaply done or simply didn’t mesh with the title. And forgive me for this, but I judge the lack of detail given to a book’s cover as indication of the lack of editing probably given to the story. My eyes will roam over the cover and move along to the next. And with technology today, there simply isn’t a good reason to have bad cover art!
As authors, we don’t always have control over the cover art, but I’d stress to stand ground when something seems extremely off or comes across cheap in appearance. Should a writer want a lovely embracing couple on their horror book? No, this would lead readers to think it’s a love story and could result in bad reviews from romance readers. And authors wouldn’t want a picture of an ocean if their entire story is set within a magical forest. Why would authors expect anything less than perfect for their book baby? This is even more important for authors self publishing. Take the same amount of time on the cover art as you spend on editing. If you hire out the art, be sure to check previous work before settling on the artist or company. This is about proper marketing. Give the reader a reason to pick up the book BEFORE they’ve read the blurb!
The World Illustration Awards are open to illustrators in any country working in any medium or context. Work must be entered as either a New Talent entry or a Professional entry. There are eight categories for works to be submitted. However, keep in mind there is an entry fee for this contest.
All submissions should be completed by Monday, February 6, 2017. All category winners will receive a complimentary software package from the Design Category sponsor, Affinity Designer.
WriteOnCon is “A writing conference you don’t even have to wear pants to. (Please wear pants, though.)” This isn’t just an opportunity to attend a writing workshop, but it’ll be the cheapest and closet conference you’ve ever attend (aside of being free, of course). Seriously, you can participate from your home! And while you might have missed the raffles and perks to buy, there is still time to sign up to join. Admission is either $5 (General Admission), $10 (General + Live Events), or $15 (General + Live Events + Extended Access). You can’t wrong with any choice!
WriteOnCon is an online conference for kidlit writers and illustrators. Connect with writers, authors, and agents in this event. There will even be Ninja Agents & Editors and live pitch sessions (check the schedule for all 3 days)! But hurry to get registered because it’ll take place Thursday-Saturday, February 2nd-4th, 2017.
BeckyTara Books is hosting Writing With The Stars, a mentorship opportunity for picture book writers and illustrators. The industry stars who have generously agreed to donate their time and knowledge to this program can be found here. Applicants who are selected will be paired with one of these amazing author/illustrators for a three-month mentorship. Wowza!
Enter the SCBWI Postcard Contest for a chance to be featured on SCBWI promotional postcards! Four winners of this contest will have their kite-themed art featured on SCBWI promotional postcards used by both the SCBWI main office as well as all of the regions around the country and the world. You’ll also receive a $50 gift certificate for art supplies, as well as exposure on our website and social media. Your name will be on the front of the postcard with your art.
To apply:
Anyone who is a member can apply, and unlike most of their other awards and contests, you may submit as many images as you like. The image must be kite themed.
Send Sarah Baker an email with your 5 x 7″ or 7 x 5″ image (as an attachment, not in the body of the email) and your name. Each submission must be sent in a separate email. If you are on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, include your social media handles in the email below your name.
Submissions must be high res (300dpi) jpegs. Title the file with your first and last name, i.e. SnowWhite.jpg (If you submit more than one, title them SnowWhite1.jpg, SnowWhite2.jpg, etc.) All submissions must be received by December 1, 2016.
And remember, you must be a SCBWI Member to enter! As always, good luck!
The Iconic Holiday Hen is a contest for illustrators, which is so rare! If you are an illustrator and would like to submit your Iconic Holiday Hen illustration to be used as the Hen & ink Holiday Mascot, please send submissions between November 12th and November 15th, 2016. (Go to their website for instructions.)
Per the website, the chosen Hen will spread holiday cheer throughout the publishing world (with the artist’s name intact!) and its creator will be invited to her/his very own Open Coop Iconic Hen Day (i.e., he/she will be invited to present a portfolio or a project for our consideration). What an amazing opportunity for illustrators!
Holy-moly! It’s another picture book contest. Things are looking up for the PB writers and illustrators, indeed. On March 26, 2017 
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