2001-2002 SCBWI-MI MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Manuscript Competition Information

Eligibility. The competition is open to current SCBWI members residing in Michigan who are unpublished in children's literature. Entrants must currently live in Michigan and expect to be living in Michigan from September 1, 2001 through August 30, 2002. SCBWI membership must be maintained throughout the mentorship program.

"Unpublished" is defined as "never having received monetary compensation for" and "not self-published" in children's literature. "Children's literature" is defined as "books, periodicals, magazines, anthologies or collections, or electronic media such as CD-ROM, film and videos where the intended consumers or audience are children."

Grand Prize. The grand prize is a one-year writing mentorship with author Anne Tompert. The mentorship program includes written critiques by the mentor on a bimonthly basis. The mentorship participants will receive specific procedures and additional information after the selection process is completed.

Submission Rules and Procedure. One manuscript entry per person. Entry must be a complete picture book manuscript of no more than 10 double-spaced, one sided pages. Because the mentorship program is for picture book writing, works such as magazine articles, wordless books, and early chapter books are not eligible for consideration.

A) Manuscript Format.

1)  Manuscript must follow normal SCBWI submission standards (typed, double-spaced, etc.) Use white paper with good quality black type, no smaller than 12 pt. Consult "From Typewriter to Printed Page" in the SCBWI Guide to Publications if necessary. Proper grammar, punctuation and spelling are required.

2)  Do not include your name on any part of your manuscript.

3)  For manuscripts longer than one page, all subsequent pages should include a header line with manuscript title and page number in the upper right-hand corner.

4)  Do not indicate page breaks; do not send illustrations or layout dummy.

5)  Retain copies of your work. Manuscripts will not be returned.

B) Submission Format.

1)  Your manuscript must be accompanied by the following which are not considered part of the 10 page total:

a) Cover Sheet: A typed 8.5" x 11" white paper with your name, address, telephone number, email address, and the title of the written work being submitted.

b) Goal Statement: One or two typed paragraphs (single or double-spaced on 8.5" x 11" white paper) explaining how a mentorship would benefit you. Include your writing goals and how the mentorship would assist you in reaching these goals. Do not put your name on this paper.

2)  Make three copies each of your Cover Sheet, Goal Statement and Manuscript. Collate in the following order: Cover Sheet, Goal Statement, Manuscript. Staple each set in the upper left-hand corner. You should have three complete sets. This is your submission.

C) Deadline.
To be considered for the mentorship program, submissions must be received at the address below no later than April 30, 2001. You must be registered for the event to have your submission considered.

• Note: Your event registration must be mailed to the event registrar, Buffy Silverman. Your mentorship submission and entry form must be mailed to the program coordinator, Lisa Wroble.
• You may not register for the mentorship competition without being registered for the event.
• You may register for the event prior to entering the mentorship competition, but all materials [registration, entry form and submission] must be received no later than April 30.
• You must attend the June 2 "PICTURE THIS!" event in order to receive the mentorship or the 1st runner up prize.

Selection Process.

Anonymity. In order to insure an unbiased selection process, it is essential that no identifying marks or signatures appear on manuscripts or goal statement. Failure to comply with submission procedures will result in immediate disqualification. Manuscripts will not be returned.

Judging. The following will be considered in selecting five finalists and to determine the winning competition entry:

• Appropriateness of style and language for the intended audience and genre;
• Interpretation and development of the theme or concept;
• Development of plot and characters;
• Illustratable text, providing action, mood and/or story content which allows a potential illustrator to enhance and enrich the story through illustrations.

Direct questions about the program to Lisa Wroble, lannrhugh@provide.net, (734) 451-1458, or to Brenda Shannon Yee, bsz@flash.net, (248) 651-8708.

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

City_______________________________________________ MI Zip_____________

Phone (daytime)_______________________ (evening) __________________________

Email _________________________________________________________________

Manuscript Title _________________________________________________________

Statement of Eligibility
I certify that I am a current member of SCBWI, reside in Michigan and will reside in Michigan from 9/1/01 through 8/30/02. I am an unpublished children's writer as defined above. I have never received monetary payment or compensation for, or self-published, any written work published in or as a book, magazine, anthology, or electronic media where the intended audience or consumers are children.

I certify that all writing is of my own creation. I understand that it is my responsibility to meet all submission deadlines and criteria and that noncompliance with any deadlines or submission criteria results in my disqualification. I understand that judging is a subjective process and that all decisions are final.

_________________________________________________
Signature                                                                 Date

I have signed and dated the above Statement of Eligibility and included the following with my entry:

Printable Mentorship Program Entry Mail In Form

<back to brochure

<back to Home Page