PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists

The PEN Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists is a private literary award administered by PEN America, an organization dedicated to supporting writers and promoting free expression. The grant was established through the support of author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, a prolific writer known for her extensive contributions to children’s literature. Originally known as the PEN Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship, the program aims to provide financial assistance and professional validation to writers at a critical stage in their careers, particularly those whose work demonstrates strong literary merit but has not yet achieved significant commercial success. The primary purpose of the grant is to support the completion of a novel in progress intended for children or young adult audiences. The program specifically targets writers who have already published at least one novel in this category through a U.S. trade publisher and whose work has received positive critical attention. By focusing on mid-career or emerging authors with demonstrated literary quality, the grant seeks to bridge the gap between recognition and financial sustainability, enabling recipients to dedicate time and resources toward completing their manuscripts. The award provides a single grant of 5000 dollars to the selected recipient. While the funding amount is modest, it is intended to alleviate financial pressures and allow the writer to focus on completing their work. Applicants are required to describe how the funds will be used to support the completion of their project, including any specific needs or barriers the funding will address. There are no matching requirements associated with this grant, and funds are not restricted to specific expense categories beyond their intended use for advancing the manuscript. Eligibility is limited to individual writers of children’s or young adult fiction who meet several criteria. Applicants must have published one or more novels in these genres that have been well received by critics but have not achieved major sales success. The previously published works must be issued by a U.S. trade publisher, and self-published works are not eligible. The submitted project must be an unpublished novel in progress that will not be published before April 15, 2027. Certain formats are excluded, including graphic novels, picture books, and collaboratively written manuscripts involving more than one author. The submission process requires applicants to prepare two separate PDF documents. The first PDF includes a cover letter outlining the project, evidence of eligibility, reviews of prior work, and a letter of recommendation. The second PDF, which must remain anonymous to ensure a blind judging process, includes a detailed outline of the novel, a statement describing how the grant funds will be used, and a manuscript sample of 50 to 75 pages. All materials must follow specific formatting requirements, including font type, spacing, and margin guidelines. Applications are submitted through an online portal and are accepted during a defined window. For the 2026 cycle, submissions open on April 15 and close on June 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The grant is awarded through a blind evaluation process in which judges assess the submitted materials without access to the applicant’s identity, ensuring fairness and a focus on literary quality. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed, the emphasis is on the strength of the writing, originality, and the potential of the manuscript. The PEN Phyllis Naylor Grant is offered on a recurring annual basis, reflecting PEN America’s ongoing commitment to supporting literary talent in the children’s and young adult space. Past recipients have gone on to publish their works and contribute meaningfully to the field. Applicants are encouraged to consult the program’s FAQ or contact the administering organization via email for additional guidance prior to submission.

Ensure second PDF is fully anonymous and clearly articulate how funding will directly support completion of the manuscript