Work-in-Progress Awards
The SCBWI Work-in-Progress Awards help children’s book writers and illustrators complete and promote unpublished projects by showcasing winners' manuscripts to editors for potential publication.
Funder: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Work-in-Progress Awards submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: No direct cash award; winners' manuscripts are showcased to editors for publication consideration.
Summary: Supports children’s book writers and illustrators in completing and promoting unpublished projects by showcasing winners to acquiring editors.
Key Information: Must be a current SCBWI member; only one manuscript per year; work must not be under contract.
Description
The Work-in-Progress Awards are designed to help children’s book writers and illustrators complete a specific project that is not yet under contract. The program offers recognition in several categories, including Picture Book Text, Chapter Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, and Underrepresented Fiction or Nonfiction. Winners in each category are showcased on a secure webpage and presented to a curated group of editors for consideration, providing a significant opportunity for exposure and potential publication. While there is no guaranteed publication or direct cash award for the main categories, this recognition can be a crucial step toward securing a publishing contract. For writers over 50, the Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award (which is part of this program) includes a $500 prize and free conference tuition.
