The SCBWI is pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards.
The Crystal Kite Awards are given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators to recognize great books from the 70 SCBWI regions around the world. Along with the SCBWI Golden Kite Awards, the Crystal Kite Awards are chosen by other children’s book writers and illustrators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing for young readers.
Congratulations to Maja Sereda and William Gumede
Their book Kite's Flight is the winner for the African region and was published by Jacana Media Publishers http://www.jacana.co.za/about-jacana
Please click on links below for more information about Maja (an SCBWI member)
http://www.scbwi.org/MemberProfile.aspx?u=2938994339415732
Maja’s blog: http://catching-rabbits.blogspot.com/2010/07/kites-flight.html
Please click on link below for more information about the other SCBWI Golden Kite Awards winners!
http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Current-News?2011-SCBWI-Crystal-Kite-Awards-Announced-
About the Crystal Kite Awards
The SCBWI launched the Crystal Kite Awards to recognize great books from the 70 SCBWI regions around the world. Each regional chapter was assigned to one of 15 divisions and the membership in each division voted for their favourite book published by an SCBWI member that year.
SCBWI President Stephen Mooser explains that, “In a time when marketing budgets are being scaled back by publishers these awards were established to create a way for more of our members to receive national recognition for their books.”
The Crystal Kite Awards are a regional spin-off of the annual SCBWI Golden Kite Award given in 4 categories for excellence in children’s literature. Both awards are unique as they are chosen by other writers and illustrators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing for young readers.
Lin Oliver, SCBWI Executive Director added, “We are so pleased to be able to offer an award that helps to promote regional diversity in the field of children’s books,” She continued, “It is our goal to help each of our published members find ways to promote and market their work through a variety of programs, resources and awards.”