MARTHA WESTON GRANTS AWARDED -
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Yolanda Ridge, a Rossland, Canada, middle-grade author with a background in genetics who wants to now work on non-fiction science books is the recipient of the 2012 Martha Weston Grant. She received $1,500 to cover her expenses to attend the annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles. This year, due to the quality of the applications, the family chose to make a runner-up award, which covers tuition to the conference, to Janet Lawler, a gifted picture book author who is transitioning into middle grade. Ms. Lawler lives in Farmington, Connecticut.
Grant coordinator Lissa Rovetch noted that the judges, consisting of herself, Ashley Wolff, Julie Downing, Susan McCombs and Dory Weston, received many outstanding applications, all of which reflected Martha Weston’s generous spirit.
After publishing more than 50 picture books and easy readers as an illustrator and/or author, Martha (Hairston) Weston published her first middle-grade novel shortly before her death. Martha always took time to encourage others, and the Hairston family established the Martha Weston Grant to honor and continue her efforts.
The SCBWI wishes to thank the Hairston family for making the grant possible, to the judges for volunteering their time, and to Lissa Rovetch who served again this year as Grant Coordinator.
Applications will again be accepted in early spring. Rules and procedures can be found
here. If you are interested in applying for this very special grant, please mark your calendars for early next year when the application process opens.
Click here for more information about the SCBWI Martha Weston Grant.