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

The PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists is an annual literary award administered by PEN America. It was established to support authors of children's or young adult fiction who are in the process of completing a novel of high literary merit. The grant awards $5,000 to one selected author whose manuscript is reviewed anonymously by a panel of judges. This initiative underscores PEN America's mission to champion freedom of expression and literary excellence across genres and audiences. This grant is made possible through the generosity of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, a PEN America Member and acclaimed author of more than 140 books. Her most notable works include the Newbery Medal-winning novel Shiloh and the final book in the Alice series, Now I’ll Tell You Everything. Naylor’s aim in establishing this grant was to support authors during pivotal stages of their writing journeys, offering recognition and financial backing to encourage the completion of promising literary projects. To qualify, applicants must be authors of children's or young adult novels that have been positively received by literary critics but have not achieved significant commercial success. Eligibility is limited to those whose prior works were published by U.S. trade publishers; self-published works are not eligible. Additionally, the submission must be a novel-in-progress and cannot be scheduled for publication before April 1, 2025. Graphic novels, picture books, and co-authored manuscripts are not eligible. Applicants must submit two PDFs as part of their application. The first should include a cover letter summarizing the project and the candidate's qualifications, reviews of previous work, and a letter of recommendation. The second PDF, which will be reviewed by the judges, must include an outline, a letter of utility, and the manuscript. This file must be anonymous, with no mention of the author's name to maintain impartiality in the selection process. The grant's most recent recipient, H.D. Hunter, was awarded for Rosewood, an Afro-surrealist fantasy novel that reimagines the town of Rosewood, Florida, through a speculative lens. This selection was judged by Arlyn Miller-Lachmann, Peter Lerangis, and Jewell Parker Rhodes. The list of past recipients includes celebrated authors such as Jackie Sommers, Lois Sepahban, and Joy Jones, among others, showcasing the grant’s history of supporting impactful and innovative literary voices. All questions about the grant should be directed to awards@pen.org. Applicants are encouraged to review the FAQ page before reaching out for further assistance.