Call for Submissions from Asian Pacific Islander Children's Story Writers: Reading Together Project ($1,000 stipend per selected writer)

Deadline: 28 February 2013

The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, in collaboration with the Minnesota Humanities Center, is seeking submissions from writers and illustrators of children’s literature for the Reading Together Project. This project will publish and disseminate culturally relevant books to educators, teachers, students, parents, and community members in 2013.

THE READING TOGETHER PROJECT SEEKS TO:

• address the lack of children’s books that speak to the experience of being an Asian Pacific Islander (API) child or youth in the United States;
• support the development of English literacy skills while recognizing cultural heritage;
• create opportunities for children and families to learn about API cultural heritage together; and
• disseminate resources targeted towards closing the achievement gap for API students by offering culturally relevant and grade appropriate resources.

Asian Pacific Islander Americans do not conform to one particular group or identity. Rather, we are a convergence of many ethnic and affinity groups working together to accomplish shared goals and objectives. The project does not try to create a single Asian Pacific Islander “voice”.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS:

• Stories should focus on a culturally relevant theme related to being an Asian Pacific Islander child or youth in the United States.
• Stories should be written as picture books and/or readers for children ages 3-7.
• Final books are likely to be up to 30 pages and 1,000 words as a general guideline. (Is this still the guideline if a picture book?
• Writers may submit a full manuscript or at least 20 pages of their story idea with a storyboard and character development outlining the complete story idea.
• When submitting a story, you will be prompted to include a brief story description of 50-150 words at the beginning of the manuscript.
• Writers will need to describe how the story aligns with K-12 Academic Standards, specifically grade level(s) and content area(s) for Minnesota. Please see link: http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/EdExc/StanCurri/K-12AcademicStandards/
• The development of each book is a highly collaborative process. Each applicant will be asked to submit a paragraph illustrating when and how you have worked successfully in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Any genre will be accepted (non-fiction, fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, etc.)
• All manuscripts and story ideas must be submitted in English. The Reading Together Project books may be published in multiple languages.
• A manuscript or story idea need not be submitted with illustrations. Illustrations submitted with a manuscript or story idea may or may not be selected.
• Any reference to the writer that would enable the reviewer to know the writer’s identity should not appear in the manuscript or story idea.
• Manuscripts and story ideas must be original, unpublished works. By submitting a manuscript or story idea, writers warrant that their entry materials are original and do not infringe on any third party’s rights.
• Only electronic submissions in Word will be accepted following these guidelines: Arial font, size 11, 1.5 line spacing, and 1 inch margins.
• Writer must be a Minnesota resident.
• Must be available to attend an Authors and Illustrator Planning meeting the week of March 11 to March 15, 2013.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 28, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. However, technical assistance with online submissions will not be available after 4:00 p.m. February 28.

SELECTION PROCESS FOR AUTHORS: All manuscripts will be reviewed by an independent review panel. Announcements will be made by March 11, 2013.

REVIEW CRITERIA FOR AUTHORS:

The submitted manuscripts will be evaluated against the following criteria (in no specific order):

• Cultural sensitivity and relevance of story
• Understanding of the generation/age group the book will be geared towards
• Relevance to timely issues
• Quality of the language (engaging writing style, grammar, etc.)
• Evidence of successful participation as a highly collaborative partner.

CREATIVE PROCESS: Selected writers will work in collaboration with project staff from the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans and the Minnesota Humanities Center to discuss, review, revise, and finalize their story. If a story is selected without illustrations, project staff will pair an illustrator with a writer to create a finished book. If a story is selected with illustrations, the illustrator will follow the creative process outlined below.

PAYMENTS: Selected writers and illustrators will each receive a one-time stipend in the amount of $1,000.00 upon completion of the project, anticipated August 2013. Terms will be laid out in a contract with the Minnesota Humanities Center.

PROJECT TIMELINE:

• February 28, 2013 – Submission Deadline
• March 11, 2013 – Review of Submissions Complete and Selections Announced
• March 11 – 15, 2013 – Initial Planning Meeting with Selected Authors and Illustrators
• April 15, 2013 – Draft Manuscripts and Illustrations Due (firm deadline)
• April 29, 2013 – Review Rough Layout of Books
• May 6, 2013 – Finalize Artwork/Illustrations
• May 2013– July 2013 – Production Stage – design, editing, proofing, etc.
• August 5, 2013 – Printed Booked Delivered

Selected writers and illustrators will work collaboratively with the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans and the Minnesota Humanities Center from March 2013 to June2013 to discuss, review, revise, and finalize the stories and illustrations. Books will be published and disseminated in August of 2013.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries: Kham Vang at Kham@mnhum.org

For submissions: via the online submission page

Website: http://mn.gov/capm/