FAQs—SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Awards 2024
Key dates
Applications open: 1 May 2024
Applications close: Applications closed
Notification of results: by email 1 September 2024
Funding and Budgets
What costs can the grant be used for?
Awards may be used for one or more of the following purposes, if and as they relate directly to the nominated project:
living expenses (including childcare and studio costs)
travel and research costs
art materials or new technology
to train in a traditional technique, new technology, writing, design, layout etc.
to work with experts in identified areas of need including writing, editing, art method etc.
Awards cannot be used for self-publishing costs.
Do I need to submit a budget with my application?
No, but you do need to have a strong understanding of what you would use the award for and why it would help you with your project. See ‘What should I submit?’ in the Guidelines for more information.
Are there conditions attached to acceptance of an award?
Applicants who are published following receipt of an award agree to acknowledge the support of SCBWI Australia East and the Copyright Agency in all work published as a result of the award. If you are a successful applicant, you will be issued with a contract stating the terms which you agree to. You will be required to provide the SCBWI Australia East with an invoice, so payment of your funding can be made. Because of tax requirements, if you are a successful applicant, we recommend Australian winners obtain an ABN. Please note that Awards are GST free. All recipients of the SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Award are required to submit a report once they have completed their funded project.
Definitions
How do you define ‘book’?
For the purposes of this Award, a book is a print publication with an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). All eligible books must be published by a PAL publisher.
How do you define ‘picture book’?
For the purposes of this Award, the definition of a picture book is a sequential visual narrative which is told through either illustration and words, or through illustrations alone. This definition includes graphic novels. In terms of this definition, educational readers, chapter books or any other narratives for younger or older readers which are primarily text with some accompanying illustrations are not considered to be picture books. See ‘What types of projects can be applied for?’ in the Guidelines.
What is a PAL Book or a PAL Publisher?
PAL stands for Published and Listed. To find the SCBWI guidelines and list of PAL Publishers CLICK HERE.
Eligibility
I’m an illustrator collaborating with an author/writer. Can I apply for the project we’re working on?
Yes. You are eligible if you’re an author/illustrator, or an illustrator. The Award money will only be given to the illustrator.
I’m a writer of children’s picture books, not an illustrator. Am I eligible to apply for this Award?
No. This Award is specifically for illustrators.
I’m an unpublished illustrator. Can I apply for this grant?
No. In order to be eligible, you need to have had at least one children’s picture book or graphic novel published by a PAL Publisher. To find the SCBWI guidelines and list of PAL Publishers CLICK HERE.
I’m a published children’s literature author who’s developing my skills as an illustrator. Am I eligible to apply?
Only if you meet the minimum requirement of being the illustrator of at least one PAL published picture book or graphic novel.
Do I need to be a member of SCBWI Australia East or SCBWI Australia West to apply?
Yes. See ‘Who can apply?’ in the Guidelines for more information. To check membership status: Main SCBWI website >Member Home>My Profile>Membership Details
Determining whether a book can count towards your publication history
Can self-published or digital-only books count towards my list of published works?
No, eligible books cannot be digital-only and the publisher of any books included on the list must be on the SCBWI list of PAL Publishers. To find the SCBWI guidelines and list of PAL Publishers CLICK HERE. Please see ‘What should I submit?’ in the Guidelines for more information.
Can graphic novels count towards my list of published works to support my eligibility?
Yes they can, because they consist of a sequential visual narrative. ‘Sequential visual narrative’ means that the illustrations are fundamental to telling the story.
Can early childhood board books count towards my list of published works to support my eligibility?
Yes, a board book is a subgenre of the picture book that is designed for the youngest of children.
Can educational readers count towards my list of published works to support my eligibility?
No, they can’t. Only books which convey a sequential visual narrative can be used to count towards your publication quota.
Can spot illustrations and cover illustrations count towards my list of published works to support my eligibility?
No, they can’t. You must have contributed to at least 50% of any co-created work, in order for it to count towards your publication quota. Only books which convey a sequential visual narrative can be used to count towards your publication quota.
If a book isn’t published but is under contract to a publisher, can I use it to count towards my publication quota?
No, only PAL books published by one week after the close of submission 1 July 2024 can be used to count towards your publication quota.
CLICK HERE to return to the Awards Overview page.
Thank you to Liz Anelli for creating the gorgeous artwork for the Awards!
