The WRITE KIDLIT NOW! SCHOLARSHIP awards financial aid to promising writers for children based on a submitted manuscript. Two writers (one specifically designated to an underrepresented voice) will receive funds to attend one class, workshop, conference, or annual kidlit program (not to exceed twelve hundred dollars each). ***Links to the application become active October 1-31.***
ELIGIBILITY
Categories:
Writers may submit one manuscript (up to 600 words) in one of the following kidlit categories:
Choosing a Class, Conference, or Annual Program.
All titled courses must be US-based and specify writing or illustrating for children. Classes, conferences, or annual programs should not exceed twelve hundred dollars. Memberships to annual programs are accepted and limited to one year. NO monthly paid subscriptions. No four-year colleges or university classes. Virtual or in-person is okay. Here is a list of credible learning communities.
(Note: If the price of the course at the time of purchase is lower than the estimated amount during the application process, then the price difference goes back into the scholarship fund.)
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES PLEASE FOLLOW THE BELOW INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY.
Sign up and complete the application HERE. The application includes where to send your manuscript.
(You may submit your manuscript after signing up at any time during the month of October. So sign up early and submit later.}
The subject line of the email should read: WRITE KIDLIT NOW! SCHOLARSHIP 2023.
Submissions will close October 31, 2023. (11:59 PDT)
Please send PDFs only, No Word Documents.
Format your manuscript as follows:
***Selections are anonymous. Include the title of your story on your manuscript, but DO NOT put your name anywhere on your manuscript.***
The Write Kidlit NOW! Scholarship submissions open in October. Underrepresented voices are encouraged to apply. Don't miss out! If you're not already a subscriber, sign up to the mailing list HERE.
Winners will be announced in mid-November.
FAQ
Do I need to live in the United States?
No. You can live anywhere in the world as long as you have access to instruction based in the US.
Can I apply if I am self-published or have a book published on an app only format?
Yes.
Can I submit nonfiction for children?
Yes.
Can I submit a manuscript in rhyme?
Yes.
Are the title and back matter included in the word count?
No. Do not include back matter in the submission.
Can I submit illustrations?
No. However, author-illustrators may submit written work.
Can I apply if I haven’t chosen a class or conference yet?
No.
After receiving the award, can I change the class I want to take?
Yes, on the condition that the class has not been paid for, it is within the one-year time limit, and the cost of the one new class is of equal or lesser value of the class awarded. Left over funds as a result of a change goes back to WKNS,
How are the funds awarded?
The school/organization will be paid directly by WKNS.
What happens if I can't attend the class?
In the event that the writer cannot attend the awarded class, an alternative selection is at the discretion of the recipient school if a purchase has been made.
Can I give the award to a friend.
No. The grant is not transferable and must be used within one year.
Still have a question? Send questions HERE.
SUPPORTING OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
A heartfelt thanks to the donors who have made this program possible. 100% of the donations go to the recipients. If you’d like to make a donation to support the Scholarship Program, send a message.
View the list of 2022 recipients.
Write Kidlit NOW! Scholarship reserves the right not to grant this award in any given year.
ELIGIBILITY
- Applicants must be at least eighteen years old.
- Applicants must be unpublished and unagented without a book under contract. If your work becomes under contract, or you become agented before the award is announced, you must withdraw your application.
- Each participant may submit one new manuscript per year.
Categories:
Writers may submit one manuscript (up to 600 words) in one of the following kidlit categories:
- Picture Book
- Chapter Books
- Middle Grade
- Young Adult Fiction
Choosing a Class, Conference, or Annual Program.
All titled courses must be US-based and specify writing or illustrating for children. Classes, conferences, or annual programs should not exceed twelve hundred dollars. Memberships to annual programs are accepted and limited to one year. NO monthly paid subscriptions. No four-year colleges or university classes. Virtual or in-person is okay. Here is a list of credible learning communities.
- Children’s Book Academy
- Highlights Foundation
- Inked Voices
- Kids Comic Unite Intensive
- The Loft
- Lyrical Language Lab
- Picture Book Summit
- Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature
- SCBWI
- Society of Visual Storytelling
- Storyteller Academy
- 12x12
- Writing Barn
- Writing Blueprints
- Choose your own! (Must meet the above requirements.)
(Note: If the price of the course at the time of purchase is lower than the estimated amount during the application process, then the price difference goes back into the scholarship fund.)
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES PLEASE FOLLOW THE BELOW INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY.
Sign up and complete the application HERE. The application includes where to send your manuscript.
(You may submit your manuscript after signing up at any time during the month of October. So sign up early and submit later.}
The subject line of the email should read: WRITE KIDLIT NOW! SCHOLARSHIP 2023.
Submissions will close October 31, 2023. (11:59 PDT)
Please send PDFs only, No Word Documents.
Format your manuscript as follows:
- Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, black ink only.
- On the top left of your manuscript, include:
- Category (PB, CB, MG, YA)
- Word Count (600 max)
- Age range
- Complete, or partial manuscript. (All PBs must be complete.)
- On the top right of your manuscript, include:
- Page numbers
- UV (if you identify as an underrepresented voice)
- Save your document as WKNS_TITLE OF YOUR MS (Ex: WKNS_THE STAR FESTIVAL)
***Selections are anonymous. Include the title of your story on your manuscript, but DO NOT put your name anywhere on your manuscript.***
The Write Kidlit NOW! Scholarship submissions open in October. Underrepresented voices are encouraged to apply. Don't miss out! If you're not already a subscriber, sign up to the mailing list HERE.
Winners will be announced in mid-November.
FAQ
Do I need to live in the United States?
No. You can live anywhere in the world as long as you have access to instruction based in the US.
Can I apply if I am self-published or have a book published on an app only format?
Yes.
Can I submit nonfiction for children?
Yes.
Can I submit a manuscript in rhyme?
Yes.
Are the title and back matter included in the word count?
No. Do not include back matter in the submission.
Can I submit illustrations?
No. However, author-illustrators may submit written work.
Can I apply if I haven’t chosen a class or conference yet?
No.
After receiving the award, can I change the class I want to take?
Yes, on the condition that the class has not been paid for, it is within the one-year time limit, and the cost of the one new class is of equal or lesser value of the class awarded. Left over funds as a result of a change goes back to WKNS,
How are the funds awarded?
The school/organization will be paid directly by WKNS.
What happens if I can't attend the class?
In the event that the writer cannot attend the awarded class, an alternative selection is at the discretion of the recipient school if a purchase has been made.
Can I give the award to a friend.
No. The grant is not transferable and must be used within one year.
Still have a question? Send questions HERE.
SUPPORTING OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
A heartfelt thanks to the donors who have made this program possible. 100% of the donations go to the recipients. If you’d like to make a donation to support the Scholarship Program, send a message.
View the list of 2022 recipients.
Write Kidlit NOW! Scholarship reserves the right not to grant this award in any given year.