Scholarships | Writing And Illustra

Scholarships 2024

Ella Hughes Foundation

The Ella Hughes Foundation places books into the hands of deserving readers in memory of a golden girl, precocious, and intelligent. Ella Ruth Hughes was the kind of child who kept a book hidden in her lap during school so she could sneak reading time during class. She was an artist, a writer, and a joy to those who knew her throughout her 14 years. Ella’s family likes to say she was born with a pencil in her hand. “She began drawing before she was a year old,” says her mother. But she also loved to laugh and have fun.

In memory of Ella, who loved books, the foundation now wishes to provide them to those who lack the opportunity to have their own. It is through your generosity of funding directly to the Ella Hughes Foundation or giving new/gently used books at the conference, that has allowed us to give several thousand books to those who need them.

Stephen Fraser Writing Scholarship

The Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Conference is happy to present this scholarship awarded to two people each year who demonstrate financial need and a strong desire to hone their writing skills.

This scholarship covers one regular, full-week workshop (not a specialty class, such as Boot Camp or Full Novel)–a $655 value.

It does NOT include travel, accommodations, or meals.

Submissions will begin December 15, 2023 – February 15, 2024

To apply, please complete the following steps:

Prepare 1,500 words of a current work in progress (or one picture book manuscript) for submission to WIFYR staff.
Write and submit a statement of need and intent, detailing why you would like financial assistance and what you hope to gain from the conference. This may be brief but must prove that you are serious about your writing and are willing to put in the work required for improvement.

Submit all required materials to wifyrwritingscholarship@gmail.com between December 15, 2023 and February 15, 2024

Applicant’s name and email address should be included on the submitted work in progress.

Scholarship winners will be notified by email and receive a voucher for tuition.

Please note: A person may receive this scholarship only once.

WIFYR Fellowship Grant

Two full-day workshop attendees will receive $500.00 to further the recipients’ work in the writing field. The chosen recipients will exhibit gifted writing ability and consistent long-term dedication to the craft.

Requirements:

Writers must:

Have a completed, paid registration for a 2024 WIFYR Conference workshop.
Submit the first twenty pages of their completed or work-in-progress manuscript along with a detailed chapter-by-chapter synopsis OR two completed picture book manuscripts.
Format their manuscripts in Times New Roman or Courier, 12-point type, with 1″ margins.
Write a statement detailing how the scholarship would help further this person’s work as a writer.
Include a short author biography detailing the length of time spent pursuing writing, publication credits, and/or other evidence of dedication to the craft, such as writing conferences attended, writing groups, or proof of submissions.

Applications must be submitted between March 1 and May 1, 2024, to be considered for the Fellowship Grant. No early entries will be accepted. Late entries will be disqualified. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Submission Instructions:

Please submit either 20 pages of a work in progress along with a detailed chapter-by-chapter synopsis OR 2 complete picture book manuscripts.
DO NOT include your name or any identifying information on your manuscript(s).
Include the name of your manuscript or picture books, your name, address, contact information, and the workshop you will attend at the 2024 WIFYR Conference in your email.

Submissions must be received between March 1 and May 1 to be eligible for the grant.

In the event of no qualifying entries, the WIFYR committee reserves the right to withhold the WIFYR Fellowship Grant.

The recipients will be announced before the keynote speech on Friday of the WIFYR Conference.

Email your materials to wifyrwritingscholarship@gmail.com

Rick Walton Teen Scholarship

Rick Walton was the author of more than 100 books for young readers. He inspired writers all over Utah and all over the United States. He was a friend to all and believed anyone could publish. It was Rick’s goal to make the world a better place by helping anyone who wanted to publish do just that. He was a believer in writers.

Publishers in New York often say, “What’s in the water in Utah?” It was Rick’s influence. (Rick would love it if we said HE was in the water in Utah!) In 2017, Rick Walton died from a brain tumor. Even as he lay sick and dying, he wrote. This scholarship is for young writers who, like Rick, believe writing is a terrific part of living.

The Rick Walton Teen Scholarship covers more than half the cost of a regular, full-day enrollment. Four teens will have an opportunity to enroll in any of our non-specialty morning classes for only $300. The balance of the fee will be paid by this scholarship.

Note: A teen qualifies for the Rick Walton Teen Scholarship only once. Does NOT cover travel, accommodations, or meals.

Scholarship opens December 26, 2023.

To qualify, you must:

Be a high school student (graduated from 8th grade; high school graduates do not qualify for this scholarship).
Download the Teen Workshop Contract and Parental Consent form below and fill it out.
Send a 1,000-word creative writing sample to carolloveswifyr@gmail.com.
Send a letter of recommendation from a teacher or parent OR be nominated by a teacher, parent, or published author through the link below.

Submission Form

Applications will be accepted through April 15th.