KS/MO

2021 Jennifer Lane Wilson Memorial Scholarship for Non-Fiction Picture Books

In honor of Jennifer Lane Wilson, a regional member and avid volunteer for SCBWI who passed away in 2020, we are offering a one time scholarship to the fall 2021 KSMO Middle of the Map Conference to be held November 5-7 for a promising Non-fiction Picture Book. The scholarship includes conference registration fees.

Due to changing Covid guidelines, it is not yet known if the conference will be held in Overland Park, Kansas or take place virtually. The scholarship is available to SCBWI members who are not previously published by a publisher on the PAL list in this format (Non-fiction picture books) who live in Kansas or Missouri.

Applications are due Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

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Jennifer loved writing picture books. She also loved supporting other writers and frequently volunteered with KSMO SCBWI. She had just completed her edits on her debut picture book when she lost her battle with breast cancer. Soaring in Style: How Amelia Earhart Became a Fashion Icon is expected to be published in 2022 by Capstone. If you did not have the privilege to meet this wonderful author and generous human being, you can learn more about her on her website and twitter feed. She is greatly missed.

Her critique group, Picture Book Junkies (PBJ), will narrow down the submissions. The winning manuscript will be selected by Jennifer’s husband, Kevin, and her two adult children, Elliee and Graham. SCBWI Kansas/Missouri will notify the winner in July.

Please note: Scholarship recipients are not eligible for future scholarships. Further, while members may apply for all scholarship opportunities, if the same person wins more than one contest, the winner will be asked to select their top choice ONLY.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submissions must be submitted via email.

1. Follow the instructions below on Submitting Work to attach your manuscript or illustrations. Do NOT put your name on your submission pages, only your cover page. If you do, you’ll be disqualified.

2. Your cover page should include your name, title of work, and email address. It should be a separate document from your submission pages.

3. Email your cover page and your submission pages as two separate documents to ksmosubmissions@gmail.com. Email subject line should read JLW Memorial Scholarship Application.

Instructions for Submitting Work:

Writers: You must submit two word documents in one email. Your manuscript as one document and your cover letter as a second document. Submit your full picture book manuscript in standard manuscript format, EXCEPT do not include your name, address, or contact information on any page.

Title your submission pages: JLW_MemorialScholarship_Title.

Title your cover page: JLW_MemorialScholarship_Title_YourLastName.

Author/Illustrators: You may submit your picture book manuscript in dummy form if you prefer to do so. Please exclude your name, address, or contact information on any page. Please send a cover page as described in the instructions for writers.

Any application not in compliance with all rules will be disqualified. Questions? Email ksmo@scbwi.org.