Check it out! As SCBWI Executive Director Lin Oliver notes:
“It is time that SCBWI
recognize that there are new models for publishing. The Spark Award is
one way we can reward those authors and illustrators who are pursuing
independent and self-publishing in a legitimate and high quality way.”
Given the number of Western WA members (with a variety of publishing backgrounds and experience levels) who’ve had success with this route, while learning things at the same time, we have to agree.
The deadline for this year is December 31, and yes, entries do have to be published in the calendar year they’re submitted. More details.