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Work-in-Progress Awards is sponsored by Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). These awards assist children's book writers and illustrators in the completion of a specific project not currently under contract. Awards are given in categories including Picture Book Text, Chapter Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, and Underrepresented Fiction or Nonfiction.
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Work-in-Progress Awards – SCBWI Awards & Grants for Writers To assist children’s book writers and illustrators in the completion of a specific project currently not under contract. Given in the categories of Picture Book Text, Chapter Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, and Underrepresented Fiction or Nonfiction.
The SCBWI Work-In-Progress (WIP) Award assists children’s book writers and illustrators in the publication of a specific project currently not under contract. One winner per category will be selected. SCBWI reserves the right not to confer this award in any given year.
Submissions open March 1--March 31, 2026. Apply through the MY AWARDS tab in your MEMBER HOME Congratulations to our 2024 WIP winners! Illustrators may apply for the 2025 Don Freeman Grant !
Unpublished writers over 50 may apply for the Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award in addition to the WIP Winners will be announced in October 2026 . The Work-in-Progress Award showcases outstanding manuscripts from the members of the SCBWI. One winner in each of the following five categories will be selected.
Chapter Books/Early Readers/Middle Grade Nonfiction (Anna Cross Giblin Nonfiction Award) Underrepresented Fiction or Nonfiction (previously called Multicultural). Note: Members may apply to this category in addition to one of the above. Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award.
Note: Members may apply to this category in addition to one of the above. The works submitted by winners will be made available on a secure webpage and presented to a hand-selected group of editors for their consideration. Although this is not a guarantee of publication, the opportunity to have your work presented to acquiring editors, along with an SCBWI endorsement, is a unique opportunity.
You must be a current SCBWI member when your work is submitted and when the award is announced. You may not submit a work that is under contract. If the work becomes under contract before the award is announced, you will become ineligible.
It is your responsibility to notify SCBWI and withdraw your application. Each member may submit only one manuscript to the WIP awards each year. Illustrations can apply for one of the Don Freeman Awards.
You may not apply for both the Don Freeman and Picture Book category of the WIP Award. Applying to the Cushman Grant or the Underrepresented category? Simply check the relevant box on the Work-in-Progress submission form.
That’s it! You will not receive additional automated confirmation. If you are self-published, you may submit to the WIP.
Please follow the below instructions completely. Choose from one of four book categories: Picture Book, Early Reader/Chapter Book/Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Nonfiction. If you wish to be considered for the Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award or the Underrepresented Voices Award, choose one of the categories i n addition to the ones listed above.
Your PDF should include 1) a cover page, 2) synopsis, 3) the first ten pages of your completed manuscript. Novelists should also include a one-page synopsis of the story. Please feel free to give away the ending.
If you are submitting a picture book, you do not need a full synopsis; please instead include a logline pitch of the story. Please format your document in the following style: A cover page with title, category, and email address Page numbers in the bottom right corner Name (First_Last) in the upper right corner of all 10 pages Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font Your sample cannot exceed ten pages.
Full PDF submission packet should not exceed 12 pages (cover page + synopsis + 10 page sample) Please format picture books as a text-only document, with no page breaks. Most picture book manuscripts will be much shorter than 10 pages, more like 2 to 4 pages. Back matter and author's notes are included in the 10 pages.
Please label your PDF as Category First Name_Last Name; e.g., MG Mary_Ford. pdf. Questions?
Please email Sarah Diamond at [email protected] . How do I submit to the Cushman Late Bloomer Award? The Cushman Late Bloomer Award is a part of the Work in Progress Awards, and you must submit to them together.
Go to the WIP form i n your MEMBER PROFILE and check 1) the box to apply for the Cushman Late Bloomer Award 2) the box for your other book category (PB, MG, YA, NF) Can I submit an illustrated manuscript to the Work-in-Progress Award? No, this award is for text only. Can I submit a PB to both the Don Freeman Grant and the Work-in-Progress/Cushman Late Bloomer Award?
No, you may only submit to one of these awards. The Don Freeman Award is for illustrators and author-illustrators while the WIP is geared toward text-only manuscripts. We recommend that author/illustrators with full picture book dummies choose the Don Freeman.
Can I submit to the Work-in-Progress and the Ann Whitford Paul Award? Yes, you may apply to both of these awards. You may apply with the same manuscript.
Winners will be announced in the fall. Awards & Grants for Writers Awarded to middle grade and young adult writers working in the fantasy or science fiction genre. Membership Our Mission Who We Are Global Regions Impact and Legacy Fund Partners Annual Report Gift Cards Awards and Grants Illustrator Gallery Member Bookstore Translation in SCBWI SCBWI at Bookshop.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Children's book writers and illustrators working on a specific project not currently under contract. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Work-in-Progress Awards is funded by Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
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