Support Scholarships for Writers:
Whale Rock’s Fall Fundraiser
Help more children’s book, middle grade, and YA authors access the mentorship, community, and guidance they need to bring new stories into the world. Bid on manuscript critiques, full-novel reads, and creative consults, or choose a “Buy It Now” experience, and know that every purchase directly funds scholarships and sliding-scale seats for writers.
Why This Fundraiser Matters Now
Every story deserves the chance to be told. Yet for many writers, the cost of professional mentorship, comprehensive workshops or feedback can be out of reach.
Your support helps make that possible.
Funds raised through this year’s event provide scholarships and discounts that remove financial barriers for writers to join the Whale Rock community. Whether they need a little support, partial support or full support, every item/experience you purchase or bid on directly helps our community of children’s and YA authors.
Explore Items and Experiences
Auction Items: Live October 31 - Nov 2 2025
Bid on exclusive mentorships, critiques, and creative experiences.
Our auction runs for one weekend only. Once the bidding closes, these items are gone. Browse offerings from Whale Rock faculty, editors, agents, and authors who are donating their time to help writers thrive.
Buy It Now: Available Starting October 31
No bidding needed. Purchase instantly and support scholarships year-round.
Prefer to skip the auction? Our Buy It Now offerings stay open until all items are sold. These include ask-me-anythings and other one-of-a-kind opportunities that make great gifts for writers or for yourself.
Every purchase directly supports scholarships and sliding scale programs for our community of children’s and YA authors.
Ask Me Anythings
Spend 30 minutes in a one-on-one conversation with Faye Bender, co-founder of The Book Group, whose clients include many award-winning and bestselling authors across children’s, middle grade, and adult fiction.
This is a rare opportunity to ask questions about publishing, querying, or career development directly with one of the industry’s most respected agents. Faye’s authors have earned the Newbery Medal, the Schneider Family Book Award, and the Indies Choice Book of the Year Award, among others.
Come ready with your biggest questions about finding representation, standing out in a crowded market, or navigating today’s publishing landscape.
Ask Me Anything (30 minutes)
Connect with Rachel Orr, longtime literary agent at Prospect Agency, for a 30-minute Ask Me Anything session. Rachel has spent her career helping authors refine their manuscripts and navigate the children’s publishing world. She has also spoken widely at SCBWI conferences, taught novel-writing classes, and served as Mentor Committee Co-Chair for the Rutgers One-on-One Conference for more than seven years.
This is your chance to ask questions about querying, manuscript development, or building a sustainable writing career with one of the industry’s most approachable agents.
Ask Me Anything: 30 Minutes
Join J. Albert Mann, award-winning author, activist, and advocate for disability representation in literature, for a one-on-one Ask Me Anything session. J. Albert is known for her powerful historical fiction and nonfiction for young readers, exploring identity, inclusion, and social change.
Bring your questions about crafting compelling historical fiction, transitioning from fiction to nonfiction, or tackling controversial subjects with care. Mann’s work has received numerous honors, including the Orbil Prize, Premio Andersen Prize, and Massachusetts Book Award Honor.
Chats can be scheduled on weekdays between 10 AM and 3 PM EST.
Ask Me Anything (30 minutes)
Join Cheryl Eissing, Senior Editor at Flamingo Books (Penguin Random House), for a 30-minute Ask Me Anything session about the publishing process. Cheryl specializes in picture books and also edits select middle grade and young adult titles.
Her list includes several New York Times bestsellers, such as Cupig: The Valentine’s Day Pig (written by Claire Tattersfield; illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.) and The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo (written by Elaine Bickell; illustrated by Raymond McGrath).
Bring your questions about writing, editing, submissions, and the world of children’s publishing — and gain insight from one of the most experienced editors working today.
Ask Me Anything (30 minutes)
Spend 30 minutes in conversation with Alessandra Balzer, Senior Vice President and Co-Publisher at Balzer + Bray, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing. Alessandra has worked with award-winning and bestselling authors including Mo Willems, Ibi Zoboi, Sonora Reyes, and many others.
This Ask Me Anything session is a rare opportunity to gain insights from one of the most respected leaders in children’s publishing. Ask about the editorial process, trends in the industry, or how to strengthen your story’s market appeal.
Meet one-on-one with Alyssa Eisner Henkin, founder and literary agent at Birch Path Literary, a full-service boutique agency representing many beloved and award-winning authors including Ruth Behar, Julie Berry, Jen Bryant, Lisa Greenwald, and R.J. Palacio.
This 30-minute session is your chance to ask questions about publishing, querying, or developing your writing career with one of the most respected voices in children’s literature. Whether you’re preparing to submit your manuscript or seeking clarity about next steps, Alyssa’s insight will help guide your path forward.
Alyssa is donating three sessions.
Ask Me Anything (30 minutes)
Spend 30 minutes with Samantha Gentry, editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for an Ask Me Anything conversation about the publishing process. Samantha works with award-winning authors and rising voices in children’s and young adult literature, helping shape stories that connect deeply with readers.
Bring your biggest publishing or craft questions — from editorial insights to submission advice — and gain perspective from one of the leading editors in children’s books today.
Ask Me Anything (30 minutes)
Join Connie Hsu, Editorial Director at Roaring Brook Press, for a 30-minute Ask Me Anything session. Roaring Brook Press is a renowned publisher of high-quality literature for young readers of all ages. Their books have received numerous accolades, including the Michael L. Printz Award, multiple Caldecott Medals, and a Newbery Honor Award.
Connie brings deep industry experience and a passion for nurturing stories that connect with readers across generations. This is a unique opportunity to ask about publishing, editorial direction, and what makes a manuscript stand out to one of the most respected editors in children’s publishing.
Meet one-on-one with Emily Van Beek, partner and literary agent at Folio Jr. Emily has worked in children’s publishing for over 25 year and represents best-selling, award-winning authors including Jenny Han, Lois Lowry, Morgan Matson, Siobhan Vivian, Philip & Erin Stead, and Sydney Smith.
This 30-minute session is your chance to chat about publishing, querying, or developing your writing career. Whether you want to ask Emily questions about the market and submissions or whether you want to ask her specifics about your manuscript, don’t miss out on your opportunity to connect with this industry leader.
Ask Me Anything (30 minutes)
Here’s your chance to connect with Jennifer March Soloway, Senior Agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Jennifer represents New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors, as well as fresh new voices in children’s and young adult literature.
She’s passionate about emotionally compelling stories and helping underrepresented voices find their place in the literary world. Bring your questions about querying, agent relationships, publishing trends, or what makes a manuscript stand out.
Gifts, Goods, and Signed Books
Own a signed copy of Christina Katerina and the Box, the beloved picture book by Patricia Lee Gauch that celebrates imagination, creativity, and childhood wonder. First published in 1971 and still cherished today, this timeless story reminds readers that sometimes the simplest things—like a cardboard box—hold the greatest adventures.
Patricia (“Patti”) Gauch is a legendary editor and author, best known for her work as Editorial Director at Philomel Books, where she edited multiple Caldecott Medal winners and a National Book Award winner.
Bring home a signed copy of Thunder at Gettysburg, the powerful historical novel by Patricia Lee Gauch. This beautifully written middle-grade book brings the Civil War to life through the eyes of a young girl, blending history, courage, and compassion.
Gauch, a celebrated author and former Editorial Director at Philomel Books, has shaped the careers of many award-winning writers and illustrators. Her own work continues to inspire readers of all ages with its emotional depth and historical resonance.
Bring home a copy of #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer’s inspiring guide, The Happy Writer. Perfect for any author looking to rekindle joy in the writing process, this book blends craft guidance, encouragement, and creative insight. Whether you’re drafting your first picture book or revising your next novel, Meyer’s wisdom will help you find your flow and stay motivated through every stage of the journey.
This book is a wonderful gift for writers of all ages and stages — or a well-earned treat for yourself.
Thank you to editor Liz Szabla of Macmillan for generously donating these copies. Price includes shipping.
Long writing days can take a toll on your body. Join Jill Braverman’s Gentle Yoga for Writers, a restorative online yoga program designed to release tension, increase circulation, and support posture and creativity.
Classes are offered multiple times each week via Zoom, each focusing on gentle movement, breathing, and relaxation. Every session ends with a calming shavasana to help you reset and restore. Perfect for writers and creatives who spend long hours at their desks.
Add a modern classic to your collection with a signed copy of Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan. This acclaimed young adult novel, co-authored with John Green, is celebrated for its humor, heart, and groundbreaking LGBTQ+ representation.
Available to U.S. residents only.
Bring humor and inspiration to your creative space with this graphite pencil set illustrated by beloved cartoonist Roz Chast. Perfect for writers, illustrators, or doodlers who love to keep a touch of whimsy at their desk. Each pencil showcases Chast’s signature wit and linework, making it both a practical and collectible item.
Available to U.S. residents only.
Own a signed copy of Nancy Springer’s The Case of the Missing Marquess, the bestselling novel that inspired the hit Netflix Enola Holmes movie. This is a must-have for fans of mystery, historical fiction, and strong female leads.
Available to U.S. residents only.
Take home a signed copy of The Zuzu Secret, the debut novel by Miriam Chernick, an author, educator, and advocate for disability awareness. The Zuzu Secret is a heartfelt story for young readers inspired by Miriam’s own experiences as a caregiver and teacher.
Miriam also wrote A Kid’s Guide to Washington, D.C. and lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and Zuki—a bearded dragon who keeps her company as she writes. Shipping available within the continental U.S. only.
Where Your Support Goes
Funds raised through this event support:
Scholarships for underrepresented and emerging voices.
Sliding-scale spots and flexible payment options for writers who need financial support.
Fair pay for faculty and mentors who give their time generously.
Community programs and writing resources that nurture creative growth year-round.
A Note from Our Founder Shari Becker
Dear Friends,
We were so thrilled with the response to our Summer Letter Companion campaign. Well over fifty of you participated in our weekly newsletters, and we raised over $5000 for our Scholarship fund.
As excited as we are about our accomplishment, we know that $5000 can't cover the number of authors who reach out to us every year in search of financial support. In addition to wanting to serve underrepresented voices, we get requests from teachers and librarians, from folks abroad for whom exchange rates make workshops cost prohibitive, not to mention the writers who are unemployed or working part-time.
As we look ahead, our hope is that we can offer need-based full scholarships to underrepresented voices, and we can also offer subsidies and discounts to those of you who need a little help.
And so, we are back with part two of 2025's scholarship initiative. We reached out to our faculty, to industry leaders, to Whale Rock Community members, and to friends. We've curated an online, hybrid buy-it-now / auction that consists of novel and picture book reads, one-on-ones with agents and editors, brainstorming sessions, original illustrations, theater tickets, signed books and more.
In keeping with Whale Rock's values, it was important to us that we offer items at all different price points so that this initiative is accessible to everyone.
We hope you'll help support part two of our scholarship initiative. We are grateful to all of you for your support of Whale Rock and each other and for passion for your craft. We look forward to 2026 where we can help meet writers where they are financially and continue to offer all the workshops and mentorships you love from our incredible faculty.
All the best,
Shari
Whale Rock Workshops is not a nonprofit organization, and we’re not currently able to provide tax-deductible receipts for donations. All funds raised through this auction and fundraiser will go directly to the Whale Rock Scholarship Fund, supporting writers who might not otherwise have access to our programs.