SCBWI-Michigan



2019-2020 Picture Book Text Mentorship Program

We’re delighted to announce that SCBWI-MI will hold TWO picture book text mentorship competitions in 2019.

The Non-PAL mentorship with author Lisa Wheeler

This mentorship is open to full and associate SCBWI members who live in Michigan.

Lisa is the author of numerous children’s books with well-respected national publishers. You can see some of the titles on her website. Lisa's book, The Christmas Boot, was the SCBWI 2017 SCBWI Golden Kite Award winner for Picture Book Text. Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum is the 2017 Michigan Reads! One Book, One State Children’s Book Program recipient. Her awards include The Michigan Mitten, The Missouri Building Blocks, The Texas Bluebonnet, and the Theodore Geisel Honor given by the American Library Association. Lisa has critiqued SCBWI members’ manuscripts in over ten states and at the national conference. She’s taught picture book workshops to hundreds of people.

Our interview with Lisa will be posted on May 3, 2019 on the Mitten Blog.

The submission window will be June 3-24, 2019.

 

The PAL mentorship with author Kelly DiPucchio

This mentorship is open to PAL SCBWI members who live in Michigan.

Kelly is the author of many picture books with PAL publishers. Check her website for more information about her books. Kelly is a New York Times best-selling author for Grace for President and The Sandwich Swap. Grace for President and Gaston were IRA Teachers’ Choices Reading List awardees. The Association for Library Service to Children chose Gaston as Notable Children’s Book in 2015. Kelly has also been the recipient of the Gwen Frostic Award from the MRA, the NAPPA Gold Award and the 2010 Parents Choice Award. The Sandwich Swap was co-written with Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan.

Our interview with Kelly will be posted March 1, 2019 on the Mitten Blog.

The submission window will be April 1-22, 2019.

Note: In the past, picture book text mentorships have filled up at 30 entries, so applying early in the submission window is a great idea. Mentorship Coordinator, Ann Finkelstein, will occasionally provide updates on the listserv and the SCBWI-MI Facebook page regarding how many slots are left. If you’re really worried, you can email her.

Submissions:

Step 1: Figure out your membership status.

If you are pre-published, you are an associate member.

If you are published, it depends on the publisher.

If your publisher is on this list of traditional publishers, you are a PAL member.

If your publisher is not on that list, you are a full member.

To check your official membership status, go to and scroll down to the Member Search box. Click Advanced Search and enter your name to look yourself up. If your listed membership status is not correct, contact SCBWI by email and explain the situation.

Authors who have work under contract with a PAL publisher are considered PAL members.

Step 2: Register for the correct mentorship program.

PAL members will register during their submission window: April 1-22, 2019.

Non-PAL members will register during their submission window: June 3-24, 2019.

For both mentorships, the submission fee is a nonrefundable $20.

One entry per person.

The registration platform will go live for each submission window. A link will be provided here and in numerous mentorship announcements.

Submission instructions will be repeated on the last page of the registration form.

Submission of manuscripts will be by email to the mentorship coordinator.

Step 3: Submit your manuscript.

All submissions are by email.

The subject line for your email should read: Submission: TITLE

In the body of the email, write:

• Your name

• The title of your manuscript

• Your SCBWI membership status

• The name you used for SCBWI membership, if different from above

• Your email address

• Your phone number

Attach your manuscript to the email as a Microsoft Word document. Use the following format:

• Header: write the title of your manuscript and the page number

• DO NOT put your name on the manuscript.

• Leave the footer blank. The footer will be used for your identification number.

• Use 12-point Times New Roman font.

• Double space

• Use 1-inch margins.

• Your manuscript should not exceed 600 words in length.

• Start your manuscript on the first line of the first page. (There is no need to leave several blank lines at the beginning of this submission.)

Anonymity. To ensure an unbiased selection process, the manuscripts will be identified by number, not the author’s name. DO NOT put your name or any other identifying mark on your manuscript.

Feel free to announce the mentorship on social media.

DO NOT mention that you entered the competition on social media.

Selection process. Our super-secret, superstar judges will evaluate the entries based on:

• Appropriateness of style and language for intended audience/genre. Are word choice and sentence construction age-appropriate?

• Interpretation and development of theme or concept. Does the story have a theme? Is the theme clear and well developed?

• Development of plot. Does the story have a beginning, middle, and end? Are the components balanced? Does the beginning capture your attention? Does the story continue to develop in the middle? Is the ending satisfying/appropriate?

• Development of characters. Does the main character have or encounter a problem? Are the characters believable? Would the intended audience identify with the main character?

• Illustratable text. Does the text provide action, mood, and content that could be enhanced by illustrations?

Overall impression. What is your overall impression of this particular manuscript? Does the manuscript tell a good story? Does the work show originality? Is it suitable for picture books?

Judges will also make brief comments regarding how they feel the manuscript could be strengthened. Applicants will receive the judges’ comments but not the numerical scores. The mentor will make the final selection.

The winner of the PAL mentorship with Kelly DiPucchio will be announced in mid-July.

The winner of the non-PAL mentorship with Lisa Wheeler will be announced in early September.

Read more about the SCBWI-MI mentorship and its past winners and mentors.

FAQs:

Are you serious about that 600-word limit? Yes.

Why can’t my manuscript be longer than 600 words? We set a word limit to prevent wear and tear on our super-secret, superstar judges and to increase your chances of eventual publication.

How much does it cost to enter? $20 (non-refundable)

How do I pay the $20? You will be asked for credit/debit card information when you register.

Do I have to be a member of SCBWI? Yes.

Do I have to live in Michigan? Yes.

Can I apply if I only live in Michigan for part of the year? Sure.

Will I be notified when my manuscript has been received and is being considered? Yes. Mentorship Coordinator, Ann Finkelstein, will confirm receipt of manuscripts.

How long do I have between registering for the mentorship and uploading my manuscript? 24 hours.

Exactly what do you mean by anonymous submissions? Don’t put your name on the manuscript and don’t announce on social media that you are entering.

Can I enter if I already have a PAL book under contract? You can enter the PAL mentorship only.

What happens if I enter the non-PAL mentorship and I’m offered a contract while the evaluation process is going on? Contact Mentorship Coordinator, Ann Finkelstein to receive congratulations and discuss the situation.

What if I’m a PAL illustrator? If you’re a PAL member for illustration, but not for writing, apply for the non-PAL mentorship.

What if I have a question that’s not on this list? Contact Mentorship Coordinator, Ann Finkelstein.

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