Your October Insight is Here

October 2017

Work-in-Progress and Don Freeman Grants Announced

Congratulations to the winners of the 2017 Work-in-Progress Grants and Don Freeman Illustration Grants! Both of these awards are SCBWI's program to assist children's book writers and illustrators who are in the process of completing a specific project currently not under contract. The recipients will have their work posted on a special site which we make available only to agents and editors, giving them a big leg up to have their work discovered!

Work-in-Progress Grants

Young Adult Fiction: The Locksmith by Kate Branden

Nonfiction: The Penguin of Provetá by Shannon Earle

Multicultural Fiction/Nonfiction: Coyotes in Amarillo Heights by Angela M. Sanchez

Picture Book Text: Bartali's Bicycle by Megan Hoyt

Middle Grade Fiction: Dan Maze and the Case of the Maltese Cat by Jeremy A. Wall

Chapter Books/Early Fiction: The Casebook of Marvelous Madison by Ann Wright Strohmeier

Don Freeman Illustration Grants

Published Award: Angela C. Hawkins

Pre-published Award: Jaime Whitbread

See Angela's illustrations HERE

See Jaime's illustrations HERE

VISIT our website for more information.

#DVpit Returns

Beth Phelan , an agent at the Bent Agency, has announced the return of #DVpit, the groundbreaking project that helps marginalized writers and illustrators pitch their work to agents and editors on Twitter.

Un-agented writers and illustrators can pitch their diverse #ownvoice stories using the hashtag #DVpit at the following times:

October 2nd, 8AM-8PM ET: Children's & Teen Projects

October 3rd, 8AM-8PM ET: Adult Projects

Visit dvpit.com and follow @DVpit_ for the latest news.

Library Funding No Longer in Peril

In a victory for the newly-formed Corporate Committee for Library Investment (CCLI)--and for readers everywhere-- the House of Representatives voted on September 14 not to make any cuts to the federal funding of libraries. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will keep its full funding package, and the House even approved a $6 million increase for the National Library of Medicine. There is more good news on the horizon because last month the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended a $4 million boost to the IMLS budget. The Senate won't get to act on this bill until later in the year, so it is still crucial for creators and artists to show their support and desire to #SaveIMLS.

Adam Eisgrau, managing director of the ALA, expressed his "deep thanks for reaching this amazing milestone in this challenging year." Thank you to all SCBWI Members who joined in the effort , whether by contacting your local representatives or spreading awareness via social media.

Get Involved with SCBWI BookStop

If you have a book out in 2017, you are eligible for SCBWI's amazing BookStop promotion. SCBWI BookStop is the renamed BookBlast that last year was a hugely successful experience for both independently published and traditionally published members. BookStop a great opportunity to put your book in front of tens of thousands of readers and book buyers.

In our 2016 Book Blast, there were 50,000+ pageviews and almost 2,000 Buy the Book clicks. Supported by heavy SCBWI promotion and incentive programs (which will continue this year), BookStop drives a huge amount of traffic to your pages, where readers can find out about your books and purchase them directly. Over 800 members created pages last year .

Go to the official SCBWI BookStop instructions to find out how to create your personal page. SCBWI BookStop goes live to the public on Monday October 16 and runs through Thursday November 30. Books that have been or will be published in 2017 are eligible.

SCBWI BookStop is a great member benefit that puts your book in front of thousands of people who love reading. Whether you're independently or traditionally published, SCBWI BookStop is a rare opportunity to engage potential buyers with your book. Find out more by visiting scbwi.org/scbwibookstop-faq/ today.

SCBWI Exclusive with...

Carrie Howland, Agent, Empire Literary

Carrie Howland joined Empire Literary after eleven years as an agent at Donadio & Olson, Inc. She represents young adult, middle grade, and select picture book authors. Carrie's background is in poetry, so beautiful language is one of the first things she looks for in any project. Also important are a strong voice and great story, which she's looking for across genres. Carrie is a member of the AAR as well as SCBWI. She holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Albion College. In her spare time, Carrie volunteers as a foster for a local dog rescue and with deployed military men and women through an organization called Soldiers' Angels. She is an active volunteer and member of the New York Junior League, through which she teaches a third grade art class once a week, as well as a member of the executive board of the New York City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Gamma. You can follow Carrie on twitter at @ecarriehowland or visit www.empireliterary.com for more information.

Podcasts

Listen to the newest podcast with editor, Zareen Jaffery . Zareen is Executive Editor, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. Profit from this intimate conver sation with a thoughtful and relevant editor, recorded only for SCBWI members. Listen Here

Faces of SCBWI

Susie Ghahremani at the San Diego Festival of Books (Photo: Roxyanne Young)


	MJ Diem (a.k.a. the Friggin Happiness Fairy) at the Wisconsin Fall Retreat


	Linda Sue Park and Michelle Houts

SCBWI Canada West Illustrators Meetup (photo: Nancy Vo)

Illustrator Info:

SCBWI Opportunities, a master list

As an SCBWI illustrator member, you have so many opportunities for recognition and exposure that it can be difficult to keep track of them all. Here is a quick reminder of the different ways you can take advantage of your membership and put yourself in the running for acknowledgment, publicity, and prizes.

Featured Illustrator

All you need to do to be in the running for Featured Illustrator is keep your SCBWI Illustrator Gallery up to date. There is no official application process to become Featured Illustrator, but you must have an up-to-date gallery and the more you participate in other SCBWI opportunities, the better chance you have at being chosen. That includes regional events, portfolio showcases and contests!

Read More

Draw This!

Draw This! is our monthly prompt word for illustrators.

The September prompt was Glee
Congratulations to the September Winners:

Christee Curran Bauer

(See more at christeecurranbauer.com)


Kayla Harren (See more at kaylaharren.com)

See all the entries here:

Gallery

October's prompt is . . . RIDDLE

Entries are due October 20 to [email protected]

Submissions for October will be up in our November gallery.

Click here for submission guidelines