Requirements

CWILL BC's creators uphold the highest standards of excellence in children's literature. If you have written and/or illustrated a quality publication for young people that has been published or performed, we want to hear from you!

CWILL BC is open to all professional writers and illustrators who create works for children and young adults, provided they meet at least one of the following criteria:

• They have had one trade book or four short stories, articles or poems published.
• They have independently published a book of professional quality AND passed our quality assessment (details below).
• They have had one full length play/script or two or more short plays/scripts published or produced.
• They have illustrated one professionally published book, or at least four professionally published covers.

In addition:

• Eligible candidates must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants and, specifically, must be residents of BC or have lived in BC within the past two years.
• Generative AI cannot have been used in the creation of the work.

Independent Publishing Submission

We welcome authors and/or illustrators of independently published (self-published) books to submit their books for consideration under our quality assurance review process.

1. Complete and submit our Application Form. Under "Publisher" put "Self" or "Indie."
2. The membership coordinator will respond with instructions on how to submit your book (we accept print via SASE or fully formatted PDFs).
3. The membership committee coordinator will review your book upon receipt.
4. The writing, storytelling, formatting, art/design, and "whole package" presentation will be assessed to verify that the book is of professional quality.
5. The membership committee coordinator will consult other CWILL BC members in good standing as needed to verify that the book is of professional quality if the book's content or presentation falls outside of her domain of expertise.
6. The membership committee coordinator will respond to you with an invitation to join and information on how to pay dues OR a polite and non-specific rejection.
7. Unsuccessful applicants may appeal the Committee's decision to the Executive, whose ruling will be final. However, the applicant may re-apply for admission to CWILL BC any year thereafter.
   

Use of Generative AI

The use of generative AI (writing, illustration, narration, etc.) disqualifies applicants from membership to CWILL. The CWILL executive team reserves the right to terminate membership if a member is discovered to have used generative AI in their creative works.

Dues

Annual membership dues are determined by the Executive. Renewals ($40/year or $65 for 2 years) are due on June 1 of each year. New memberships are subject to a one-time $15 administrative fee. ($55/year or $80 for 2 years.)

Membership dues may be waived in cases of financial hardship upon application to the Executive. In support of diversity in children's literature, we particularly encourage BIPOC applicants experiencing financial hardship to apply for dues waivers. To inquire, contact CWILL's Membership Coordinator.

Art on this page by Mary Jane Muir.