SCBWI in partnership with PJ Library has established the Jewish Stories Award to encourage the creation of more high quality Jewish children’s literature. PJ Library®, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, sends the gift of free Jewish children’s books to more than 200,000 North American participants each month.
Deadline: Submissions will be accepted from September 1st 2018 through September 30th 2018 only.
Award: $2,500 will be awarded to the author of the manuscript deemed most promising for publication and for distribution by PJ Library. PJ Library will make every effort to partner with a publisher to have the manuscript published and to carry the book in the PJ Library program. The award is separate from and in addition to any monies received by the author from a publisher. The author will also receive tuition to the SCBWI Winter Conference in New York and a transportation and accommodations stipend of up to $500, as well as PJ Library’s Author Incentive Award (for more information about the Author Incentive Award, visit the Awards section on PJ Library’s website here).
Eligibility: The manuscript must be an original work of fiction or nonfiction written in English and geared toward children between the ages of 6 months and 8 years. Whether the manuscript exemplifies a Jewish value, takes place during a Jewish holiday, or addresses Jewish history, it must contain Jewish content. Reference books, books about the Holocaust, and books about the death of a close family member will not be considered. Text only and text with illustrations submissions are welcome. Text with illustrations submissions should include one finished piece of art and 2-3 sketches. The author must be a member of SCBWI, and may submit more than one manuscript for consideration, however manuscripts previously submitted to PJ Library, including manuscripts submitted to last year’s SCBWI PJ Library Jewish Stories Award, and manuscripts under contract will not be accepted.
Guidelines: All submissions will be accepted via a form only, which will be open on September 1, 2018 at 12:00 a.m. EST and close on September 30, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Please note that the form requires complete contact information (name, address, email address, and telephone number), and that all manuscripts must be submitted as a Word document or PDF. Only one manuscript may be submitted per a form; multiple submissions will require multiple forms. Submissions emailed to PJ Library will not be accepted. The PJ Library Book Selection Committee will determine the finalists and a three-member panel of judges comprised of a representative from PJ Library, a librarian or other leader in the children’s book field, and an author, will make the final selection. The winner will be announced at the 2019 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York.
Questions?: click here for more information; if your question is not answered there, email submissions@pjlibrary.org.