Grants abound for children's writers
Many grants -- from both public and private sources -- are available to writers of children's books. The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, for example, offers multiple grants, and the Boston Public Library offers a residency grant. Some grants may be available only to those who produce work with a particular focus, such as children's science, while others might encourage a certain group of writers. Grant applications, requirements and instructions can be sourced through the providers' websites. Research the rules for each grant and follow the instructions carefully to maximize your chances of winning the grant.
Instructions
1. Visit the "Awards & Grants" page of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) website and read the grant offerings. Numerous opportunities are available to SCBWI members, including the SCBWI Book Launch Award and the Barbara Karlin Grant, each for $2,000. Click through the hyperlinks for each grant and award program for eligibility information. Select a grant to apply for and click through the application hyperlink to download the application form. From the main award and grants page, check the grant calendar hyperlink to check on application deadlines for particular grants and awards.
2. Visit the Boston Public Library's website and navigate to the Children's Writer-in-Residence Program page. Click through the hyperlink to the program guidelines and application form. File your application by May 15 for the September-through-May residency. Emerging writers are eligible to apply for a $20,000 stipend and office space for a nine-month residency. Recipients work a minimum of 20 hours per week in the library. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and may have no more than three published books to their credit.
3. Visit the American Institute of Physics website and navigate to the Science Communication Awards page. The institute's $3,000 grant program is intended to promote science in broadcast, print and new media. Submit entries via the online entry form, or download and print out the paper form and mail in your entry. Entries may be in the form of books, multimedia or web content aimed at audiences of 15 years of age or younger.
4. Visit the website of Children's book publisher Lee & Low, sponsor of the annual New Voices Award for writers of color who have not yet had a book published. Navigate to the New Voices Award page and read the submission guidelines. Prepare your manuscript submission, following the guidelines closely. Mail completed submissions to:
Lee & Low Books
95 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
ATTN: New Voices Award
Winners receive a grant of $1,000. Lee & Low gives the grant recipient a publishing contract. The Honor Award grant -- for $500 -- is also available.
5. Editors and fellow writers nominate children's writers for the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship of $5,000. Visit the Pen website and navigate to the
Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship page. Follow the nomination guidelines, and submit a letter of nomination, manuscript copies and a statement of the nominee's earnings. Writers may not apply directly for the fellowship.
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