The Encouragement Fund

The Encouragement Fund will provide three grants of $2,000 each to children’s book authors, artists, or translators who have traditionally published at least one book of any genre. Generously supported by Stephen Fraser, a veteran editor and now one of our industry’s most respected agents at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, this grant reflects Stephen’s commitment to supporting talent. Encouragement comes in many forms. As such, the grants have no strings attached and may be used however the recipient sees fit. In addition to the financial grant, recipients may also take advantage of Stephen’s offer to meet with them for career advice or feedback.

For the 2025/2026 cycle, we will be focusing on authors who are working on humor books: chapter books, middle grade, and YA. No picture books this time around.

Of this year's award, Stephen Fraser says:

"The Encouragement Fund will focus this year on humor in children's books, either in chapter books, middle-grade, or young adult. In contemporary life, humor is needed more than ever. French writer Romain Gary was quoted as saying, "Humor is an affirmation of dignity, a declaration of man's superiority of all that befalls him." Giving young people the ability to face daily life's challenges with humor—and hence dignity—is a gift we should give them. Writing humor, of course, is not easy; it requires both skill and affection. And we celebrate with gratitude those who make the effort to create children's books with that important element of humor."

You do not have to be a member of SCBWI to submit. However, your previously published book must be traditionally published.

The Encouragement Fund is currently closed for submissions. The Fund will reopen for submissions on October 15th, 2025.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

To submit your book for consideration, please send the following as a single PDF to [email protected].

The subject line should read: ENCOURAGEMENT FUND 2025 SUBMISSION - LAST NAME

Please submit a single PDF including the following:

• A maximum 250 word bio
• Your website or social media contacts, if you have them
• The name(s) and publisher(s) of your most recently published book(s)
• A maximum 250 word essay describing why you need a burst of encouragement to complete or begin a middle-grade work of fiction, and how receiving the grant would support that.