New England (CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME)

The NESCBWI Windows and Mirrors Scholarship

“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created and recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror.”

— Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, Professor Emerita, Ohio State University

The New England SCBWI (NESCBWI) believes that all children deserve to have books that serve as both mirrors and windows into the diverse human experience.

The NESCBWI Windows & Mirrors Scholarship Awards were created to boost marginalized writers and illustrators from historically underrepresented groups in children’s literature. We are excited to continue our scholarship awards in 2023!

Windows & Mirrors Scholarships for two (2) unpublished SCBWI Members will cover the cost of registration for one illustrator and one writer to attend the NESCBWI 2023 conference. This scholarship also includes a critique with a publishing professional.

Windows & Mirrors Scholarships for two (2) unpublished Non-Members will cover the cost of registration for one illustrator and one writer who are not already SCBWI members to attend the NESCBWI 2023 conference. This scholarship also includes a one-year membership to SCBWI.

Submission deadline: January 22, 2023, 11:59 pm ET
Winners Announced: March 1, 2023

About the New England SCBWI Annual Conference

The NESCBWI Regional Conference will be held in Springfield, MA on April 28 – 30, 2023. Our theme is “Getting ready to S-T-R-E-T-C-H.” The conference offers craft and marketing-oriented sessions led by authors, illustrators, editors, agents, and marketing professionals, panel discussions with agents and editors, and keynote addresses from acclaimed writers and illustrators.

Submission Guidelines

The New England SCBWI Windows & Mirrors Scholarship Awards were created to boost marginalized voices and visions that have been historically underrepresented in publishing. Applicants must identify as one or more of the following:

• AAPI

• Black

• Indigenous or Native American

• Person of Color

• Latine

• LGBTQIA+

• Person with a disability

• Person who is neurodiverse

• Member of a marginalized religious group

Any decisions regarding eligibility are yours to make, but we ask that you mindfully consider the spirit of this scholarship award.

Additional Award Criteria:

• You must be 18 years of age or older.

• You must be an unpublished writer or illustrator (self-published is okay).

• The manuscript or illustration being submitted must not have been previously published or currently under contract for publication.

• You may NOT apply if you have previously been awarded the Windows & Mirrors Scholarship. However, if you previously won for writing, you may enter for illustration, and vice versa.

• Only one submission per person: one Writing or one Illustration submission, not both.

Writer Submission Guidelines

1. Submit the first 500 words from your manuscript in ONE document, WORD or PDF.

2. Maximum 500 words regardless of manuscript category or age type (e.g., PB, MG, YA).

3. If your picture book is under 500 words, submit that full manuscript, but nothing else.

4. Use this formatting:

12-point Times New Roman font

Double spacing

5. DO NOT include your name or contact information in your manuscript anywhere. Any entries that contain a name or contact information on the manuscript itself will be disqualified.

6. Name the file in this manner:

TITLE_writing_category.doc

For Example: ALL_AMERICAN_BOYS_writing_YA.doc

7. Fill out the submission form, and upload your manuscript. (https://forms.gle/W1uk9We2Ur8Lok1JA)

The Submission Deadline is January 22, 2023, 11:59 pm EST.

Illustrator Submission Guidelines

1. Submit only ONE document (JPEG or PDF).

2. ADD an identifying word or phrase in the top left corner of your document (e.g., “Fish on a Bike”).

3. DO NOT include your name or contact information on your artwork anywhere. Any entries that contain a name or contact information on the artwork will be disqualified.

4. Paste one, two, or three illustrations directly into your ONEdocument (JPEG or PDF). Maximum of three illustrations. These can be spreads from a picture book dummy and/or portfolio pieces.

5. Alternatively, send the first three spreads of your book dummy, saved as a 3-page PDF.

(Do not send the entire dummy.)

6. Name the file in this manner:

IDENTIFYING_PHRASE_illustration.pdf (or IDENTIFYING_PHRASE_illustration.jpeg)

For Example: FISH_ON_A_BIKE_illustration.pdf (or FISH_ON_A_BIKE_illustration.jpeg)

7. Fill out the submission form, and upload your PDF or JPEG. (https://forms.gle/W1uk9We2Ur8Lok1JA)

The Submission Deadline is January 22, 2023, 11:59 pm EST.

If you have any questions, please contact the award committee at NESCWBI.eic@gmail.com.

Please Note: You may apply for a Windows & Mirrors Scholarship in addition to one of the other NESCBWI scholarships (the Anne Barrow Illustration Scholarship, The Peter Davis Emerging Illustrator Scholarship, or The Ruth Landers Glass Scholarship) However, you may only submit one entry to the Windows & Mirrors Scholarship.

Scholarship Judges TBA

SCBWI Regions

Join SCBWI!