Author Jane Yolen and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators have created a new grant to honor midlist authors.
According to Yolen, "In these difficult book times, well-reviewed and honored authors often find themselves stalled in their writing lives and find they are having trouble selling new work. In our attention to up-and-coming authors, we, the reading public, often ignore these midlist writers who struggle to remain true to their personal vision and craft. This grant is to say: SCBWI honors you, we recognize you, we are paying attention to your work.”
The first grant was awarded last month at SCBWI's 13th annual conference to Mary Whittington, author of Carmina Come Dance, The Patchwork Lady, Troll Games, and Winter's Child. The honor recipients were Ann Whitford Paul, author of Little Monkey Says Goodnight; and Barbara Diamond Goldin, author of The Girl Who Lived with the Bears.
The grant is awarded by nomination only and the winners and honorees are chosen by Yolen herself. Nominations for the 2013 grant will begin June 1 and close on November 1. Winners will be announced at the SCBWI winter conference in New York. Full guidelines and the application form are available here.
