[priscilla.gilman Posts: 24 Status: Offline]

I know nobody here can give me authoritative answers, just looking to tap the group mind for opinions and experience in case my questions, submitted to the email address given for such things, don’t get answered. (As so far they haven’t—one submitted a while back and another more recently.) So...

I am planning to submit a chapter book to the WIP award this spring. One question which I don't see answered in the FAQ: Because my chapters are about two pages, standard formatting—with chapters starting half a page down—makes for a lot of white space, 3-4 pages in ten, with each chapter becoming two half pages and one full. Does one just accept this punch-in-the-writerly-gut or would you adjust formatting to reduce white space and give more of the text?  Not exactly sure how I would do it, but just wondering if this would be beyond the pale.

Also does anybody know how the winners are chosen for the WIP Award and Ann Whitford Paul PB Award? Who judges? Do they winnow to finalists and ask for a complete manuscripts with the WIP to choose the winners?

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,003 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

For formatting, I only have the first chapter starting the half page down. The other chapters start on a clean page. But maybe that's just me. SCBWI's The Book, under resources on the web page, has manuscript formatting info. Follow whatever is there.

I know they use industry pros to judge all awards, but I'm not sure of the specific process. And good luck.

[priscilla.gilman Posts: 24 Status: Offline]

For formatting, I only have the first chapter starting the half page down. The other chapters start on a clean page. But maybe that's just me. SCBWI's The Book, under resources on the web page, has manuscript formatting info. Follow whatever is there.

Only starting the first chapter halfway down sounds like a good solution. The Book doesn’t say anything about subsequent chapters that I see, but otherwise it fits with what they do say. Thanks.

[ann-paul Posts: 3 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Regarding the judging for the Ann Whitford Paul-Writer's Digest Most Promising Picture Book Grant, the judges change each year. They are always published writers of picture books and are joined by a representative from Writers Digest Books and from the SCBWI office. Check out  https://www.scbwi.org/the-ann-whitford-paul-writers-digest-book-award/  for submission details. I hope all picture book writers who qualify will get busy and enter. Deadline for submissions is April 10, 2021.  Good luck to everyone!

[Vijaya Posts: 7,167 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Priscilla, note that the AWP is for picture books, not chapter books.

[priscilla.gilman Posts: 24 Status: Offline]

Regarding the judging for the Ann Whitford Paul-Writer's Digest Most Promising Picture Book Grant, the judges change each year. They are always published writers of picture books and are joined by a representative from Writers Digest Books and from the SCBWI office. Check out  https://www.scbwi.org/the-ann-whitford-paul-writers-digest-book-award/  for submission details. I hope all picture book writers who qualify will get busy and enter. Deadline for submissions is April 10, 2021.  Good luck to everyone!

. Thank you Ann Paul!

Priscilla, note that the AWP is for picture books, not chapter books.

Yes! I write the range. Only submitting my chapter book to the WIP award.

[Vijaya Posts: 7,167 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Good luck!

[priscilla.gilman Posts: 24 Status: Offline]

Good luck!

To all!

[Alicia Curley Posts: 14 Status: Offline WWW]

Adding a question to this thread regarding the WIP Award:

Wondering if you include comp titles in your synopsis/on your synopsis page? I'm submitting a picture book text, and am not sure if this is something that should be included.

[ann-paul Posts: 3 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

No synopsis is necessary, just your manuscript and cover page. Best of luck!

[poupette-smith Posts: 1 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

  :parrotHi,

Regarding the Ann Whitford Paul Writer's Digest Manuscript Award, is one permitted to apply for it if submitting to SCBWI's WIP/PB contest?

Thanks!

[susan-foster-2 Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I wish I'd seen this earlier! I had the same question about chapter breaks within the first 10 pages.
And I still have a question about the cover page that's submitted along with the first 10 pages for PDF 2 for the WIP Awards. The instructions say the following:
On your cover page, include:
Your name
Manuscript title
Grant category

Does that mean those are the ONLY items that should be on the cover page? Or should the cover page also include contact information and word count which are normally found on the cover page of a manuscript?

[alan-jordan Posts: 952 Status: Offline Writing that Entertains and Empowers]

Because it is a contest the name may not be deemed appropriate. Often a control number is assigned. This gives all contestants a fair chance. It's your writing, not your reputation that's evaluated.

About starting half way down on the first page: When an editor reads a story the blank space gives them room to not notes to which they, and colleagues, can refer.

[priscilla.gilman Posts: 24 Status: Offline]

I wish I'd seen this earlier! I had the same question about chapter breaks within the first 10 pages.
And I still have a question about the cover page that's submitted along with the first 10 pages for PDF 2 for the WIP Awards. The instructions say the following:
On your cover page, include:
Your name
Manuscript title
Grant category

Does that mean those are the ONLY items that should be on the cover page? Or should the cover page also include contact information and word count which are normally found on the cover page of a manuscript?

Yeah, it’s very confusing. And what Alan said would make sense except that they have you put your name on every page. Also, last I checked they still had contradictory instructions up depending on where you looked. We writers have it drilled into us to follow submission instructions exactly, but it’s impossible here and doesn’t totally make sense. So just do your best.

[susan-foster-2 Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thanks, Priscilla. You and I are on the same page (no pun intended). I guess I will just attempt to follow the instructions to the best of my ability and try not to worry about it too much. Best of luck!