SCBWI ILF Presents the Ann Whitford Paul and Writer's Digest Most Promising Picture Book Manuscript Award

The Ann Whitford Paul and Writers Digest Most Promising Picture Book Manuscript Award, formerly given by the SCBWI, has been revised and is now to be administered by the Impact and Legacy Fund, the social action arm of the SCBWI. 

 There will be two awards given, one for a work of fiction and one for a work of nonfiction.  The manuscripts can be no longer than 1,500 words. Each winner will receive a $1500 cash prize. In addition, each recipient will receive a stipend of $500 to help them sell their work, to be used for submission advice, counseling, professional editing, or querying. No illustrations should accompany the submission, as this is a writing award.

 Lin Oliver, Managing Director of the SCBWI ILF, says, “The ILF is happy to be able to offer this career-launching award.  It is fully funded for a minimum of five years, and thus becomes part of the ILF Awards Portfolio. Our gratitude to Ann Whitford Paul and Writers Digest for their generosity and our best wishes to all the entrants”.

• Applicants may not have published or sold any picture book to a publisher before (self-published okay)
• Applicants who have published in the non-children’s field will be considered 

If you have ever sold a picture book to a publisher, you are not eligible for this award. If you have sold another kind of book to a publisher, but no picture books, you are eligible.

Entries should be emailed to [email protected] as a single PDF.  Entries should include:

• A cover page with applicant name and contact information 
• Whether the manuscript is a fiction or nonfiction book
• Statement of intent (150 words or less): why did you feel compelled to write this book?
• The full manuscript, no longer than 1,500 words (including back matter, notes, or translations)

All emails should have the subject line "[YOUR LAST NAME] Ann Whitford Paul Submission". Any emails received without this subject line will not be read.

Entries should not include:

• Illustrations
• Author bio

Applicants, you may submit a maximum of ONE manuscript per category—fiction and non-fiction.

Please note: we will try to get to all of your questions if you email us, but given the volume we may not get to every single question.

This award opens on April 1st, 2025 for submissions and closes May 1st, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. No manuscripts will be accepted outside of this range.