I had planned to write a post on my Work-in-Progress (WIP), but decided to do a Google search on “WIP” to see what other sources had to say on the subject. To my surprise, I discovered the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) has an upcoming award program for WIPs. More on that after a brief discussion of WIP.

WIP

A WIP is a writing project that is in some stage of creation. This might be drafting, editing, or marketing, and could be a short story, novel, non-fiction, memoir or collection of poems. The piece of writing should be in active production. A manuscript written five years ago that hasn’t been worked on in years is not a current WIP. Although dusting off that manuscript and bringing it back into production would qualify it as a WIP.

Author Jami Gold wrote a post on the pros and cons of sharing a WIP. It’s a good read if you would like to learn more about the risks and benefits of sharing a work that is still in development.

SCBWI WIP Award

The SCBWI offers the Work-in-Progress Award as an annual opportunity for members to present an unpublished, complete manuscript for consideration. “Middle-grade novel” is one of the seven categories. Entries can be submitted by email from March 1 to March 31, 2020, and only one manuscript per year is allowed.

Winners will be presented to a hand-selected group of editors for their consideration. This is not a guarantee of publication. However, the chance to have your WIP presented to acquiring editors, along with an SCBWI endorsement, is a special opportunity.

In addition, the Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award recognizes an author over the age of fifty who has not been traditionally published in the children’s literature field. Applicants submit by email the same piece presented for the SCBWI WIP Award.

Only SCBWI members may enter these award programs, and since I am currently a member of SCBWI, I’m eligible. See my networking post about SCBWI.

My WIP

I have two current middle-grade fantasy novel WIPs: Rust Boy and the Brass Ring, and Rusty and the Christmas Carousel. My plan is to do final editing on Rust Boy and the Brass Ring, for entry in the SCBWI WIP Award and Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award. I’ve had some success in past writing contests, so perhaps I’ll continue that positive experience. Wish me luck!