Work-in-Progress Awards
Work-in-Progress Awards support children’s book writers and illustrators by showcasing outstanding manuscripts to acquiring editors with SCBWI endorsement, helping projects move toward publication.
Funder: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Due Dates: March 1, 2027 (Submissions open) | March 31, 2027 (Submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: WIP winners receive editorial exposure and SCBWI endorsement; the associated Cushman Award provides $500 and conference tuition
Summary: Supports children’s book creators by showcasing outstanding, uncontracted manuscripts to acquiring editors.
Key Information: Applicants must remain current SCBWI members through the award announcement and submit a completed, text-only manuscript.
Description
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work-in-Progress Awards help children’s book writers and illustrators move a specific project toward publication. The program recognizes outstanding manuscripts in picture book text, early readers/chapter books/middle grade, young adult fiction, nonfiction, and underrepresented fiction or nonfiction. Submitted projects must not be under contract.
Winning work is made available on a secure webpage and presented to a hand-selected group of editors for consideration. This exposure brings manuscripts directly to acquiring editors with an SCBWI endorsement, but does not guarantee publication. Members can also request consideration for the Underrepresented Voices category or, if eligible, the associated Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award through their WIP submission.
