Believe Grant
"You will see it when you believe it." ~ Wayne Dyer
MARGINALIZED STORIES MATTER
I support the Black community and abhor the injustices and violence that the community has endured and continues to endue. I am committed to helping raise up Black voices and all marginalized voices and am offering scholarships to residents of Colorado and Wyoming who identify as marginalized to the Letters & Lines Fall Conference, presented by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
The Believe Scholarship has been rolled into grants offered by the Rocky Mountain Region to help extend the reach. Grants will be offered to both members and non-members of the SCBWI.
2020 Recipients!
I am thrilled to announce the grant (formerly “scholarship”) recipients for 2020.
Middle Grade/YA Novel: Ashlynn James
Picture Book: Jennifer Bacon
Congratulations to both of these talented and worthy writers!
Both received full conference attendance to the SCBWI Rocky Mountain Chapter Letters & Lines Fall Conference (online this year), a manuscript critique, attendance to a post-conference intensive. a $150 stipend and a new or renewed membership to the SCBWI.
Thank you to the Rocky Mountain Chapter and other donors to the scholarship for their generous support!
Grant Info
I established the Believe Grant (formerly “Scholarship”) in 2015 to support one or two writers who are members* of the SCBWI and reside in the Rocky Mountain region. I have been a member of SCBWI for over 25 years and it has been the gift that keeps on giving—in friendships, information, support, networking, and more. I wanted to give back and support writers as I have been supported over the years. Each year I plan to provide at least one grant to a picture book and/or novel writer who is at a place in their writing journey where attending the RMC-SCBWI Fall Letters & Lines conference will help them get to the next level.
The grant covers:
- full tuition for both days (early registration)
- $150 stipend (use as needed for hotel, travel, child care etc)
- a manuscript critique or coaching session if the recipient wants one
- The intensive of the recipient’s choice if the recipient wants to attend one
This is currently a $530 total value per grant (in-person. Online conference will vary)
Things to Note
Conference tuition, critique and intensive fees will be paid directly to RMC-SCBWI. I will send the stipend check for $150 directly to the recipient(s).
I reserve the right not to award one or both grants in a given year.
What’s Different About the Believe Grant
What makes this grant a little different is that I focus not only on where you are on your journey in terms of your writing, but also where you are on your journey as a writer. The application will ask you to evaluate some things about yourself as a writer because for me, it’s only when we define who we are as a writer and what our purpose as writers is that we can be truly happy on our journey. Sure there will be bumps in the road and your purpose may change as you change and grow, but it’s something I believe is important to visit and revisit as we go.
Believe in yourself, believe in your stories and keep writing. Only you can tell the stories you have in your heart and soul.
Marginalized Stories Matter
Pre-published children’s book writers living in the Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado and Wyoming), whether they are members or not. This means writers who have not had a book traditionally published or one that is currently under contract (if you aren’t sure if you are eligible, please contact one of the co-Regional Advisors of the Rocky Mountain Chapter).
Please check with the Rocky Muntain Chapter for information on the application.
Please check with the Rocky Muntain Chapter for information on the deadline.
2019
Picture Book Scholarship Recipient: Sandy Perlic
Sandy received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique or coaching session, an intensive of her choice, $150 stipend.
Picture Book Scholarship Runner Up: Meghan Campbell
Meghan received a one-on-one critique or coaching session.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Recipient: Natasha C. Fisher
Natasha received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique or coaching session, an intensive of her choice, $150 stipend.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Runner Up: Mariko Tatsumoto
Mariko received a one-on-one critique or coaching session.
2018
Picture Book Scholarship Recipient: Jennifer Blanck
Jennifer received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique, an intensive of her choice, $150 stipend.
Picture Book Scholarship Runner Up: Rachel Funez
Rachel received a one-on-one critique.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Recipient: Jacqueline Peveto
Jacqueline received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique, an intensive of her choice, $150 stipend.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Runner Up: Catherine Ringler
Catherine received a one-on-one critique.
2017
Picture Book Scholarship Recipient: Nina Little
Nina received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique, an intensive of her choice, $125 hotel stipend.
Picture Book Scholarship Runner Up: Erika Henhart
Erika received a one-on-one critique.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Recipient: Joanna Cook
Joanna received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique, an intensive of her choice, $125 hotel stipend.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Runner Up: Ann Morris
Ann received a one-on-one critique.
2016
Because of generous donations from the RMC community, I was able to add intensives to the package this year!
Picture Book Scholarship Recipient: Kristen Olsen
Kristen received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique, an intensive of her choice, $125 hotel stipend.
There was no picture book runner up in 2016
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Recipient: Stephanie Johnson
Stephanie received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique, an intensive of her choice, $125 hotel stipend.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Runner Up: Cara Davies
Cara received a free conference critique.
2015
Picture Book Scholarship Recipient: Kristen Foote
Kristen received free conference tuition, one-on-one critique, $100 hotel stipend.
Picture Book Scholarship Runner Up: Ann Kelley
Ann received a free conference critique.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Recipient: Kellye Crocker
Kellye recieved free conference tuition, one-on-one critique, $100 hotel stipend.
Chapter Book/MG/YA Scholarship Runner Up: Alda Dobbs
Alda received a free conference critique.

Conference Experiences from Recipients
One of the most valuable things I took back from the conference was the effect of being surrounded by so many creative aspiring (and inspiring!) writers. There was an energy and excitement in the group as a whole, and it has given me that extra bump I needed to keep pushing my writing to the next level.
My one-on-one critique with Deborah Warren was invaluable as well. She pointed out exactly where my manuscript was lacking, and also gave me the encouragement that what I am working on is worthwhile to keep pursuing. As someone who LOVES to write in rhyme (in an industry where attempting rhyme is generally highly discouraged), I was so pleased to hear from someone in-the-know that my rhyme is good and I should continue to write that way 🙂 It’s exactly that kind of encouragement that I can turn to when I am feeling unsure of myself.
The workshops I attended gave me a fresh perspective on the writing/creativity process. Getting to hear actual editors go through what they do on a daily basis, and how they revise a manuscript to get it to it’s best, gave me incredibly valuable insight. This info will help me to get my works polished as much as they can be, BEFORE they are ever seen by an editor. It’s these tips, tricks, and knowledge that I believe will get my manuscripts eventually recognized over the slush.
Basically, attending the Letters and Lines conference gave me the confidence and knowledge to continue on my writing journey. I met so many great people and was able to connect with other successful professionals who can help me on my way. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity!!

Why I Founded the Grant Program
In the past belief—or really lack of belief—has been an obstacle in my writing journey. I often didn’t believe I had the ability to write at a certain level that a particular idea required or that I could actually tackle a new genre. I didn’t believe I was worthy of success in all its forms–completing a book, getting it published–any kind of monetary success and so forth.
And then, by taking time to really look at myself and my work, I started to believe in myself more and my approach to my writing and my career shifted dramatically. I began to detach from what are often called “external outcomes” such as publication and book sales and focused on the writing itself. The joy–and sometimes frustration–of it and found I was happier in the world at large. Not that I didn’t want to continue to publish or that when I did, I wouldn’t work hard to help the book succeed, but I no longer gave them the power to define me anymore. My success and who I am hinges on what I believe about myself and the things I can control in my life, things like whether I finished a chapter, whether I revised a scene to the very best of my ability, whether I was fully present and a good listener when teaching a class or consulting with a writer.
In 2020, I’ve been moved by the #blacklivesmatter, #0wnvoices, #metoo, and #weneeddiversebooks movements and more. I feel called to change the Believe Scholarship focus. I believe in you and I believe in your right to be heard.
Congratulations to Future Recipients!
Coming soon…

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