With the passing of Liz Goulet Dubois, a bright light went out in the children’s literature community on August 14, 2022. Not only was Liz a talented writer and Illustrator. She was also beloved by anyone who had the great fortune to know her. Including me. She was, and will always remain, one of my dearest, beloved friends. I am a better person for having known her.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people praise Liz behind her back. People referred to her as intelligent, talented, unfailingly kind, and wise. She had incredible depth and was so intuitive about the world and its people; she knew what was important. For all these reasons and more, she was a phenomenal wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
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In the weeks following her passing, I have heard from several people that “Liz was the first person I spoke with at a conference!” That’s because Liz would seek out the new people, those nervously scanning the room for someone to talk with. She’d saunter over, introduce herself, and ask them about themselves and their work. And she cared about the answer. She always wanted to uplift people. Liz was full of so much joy.
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In keeping with this and wanting to hold on to all of this wonderful Liz-goodness and multiply it in the world, we have launched a scholarship that will provide full tuition for a Highlights Foundation workshop of the winner’s choosing. Eligible creators will be up-and-coming (unpublished) Author/Illustrators (both) who wish to create for our very youngest readers. Just as Liz did so magnificently.
A bit of information about Highlights from their website:
For more than 35 years, the Highlights Foundation has embraced the core values that serve our mission: to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.
Year after year, online and in-person, our programs, staff, faculty, and scholarships help us bring this mission to you. We offer a range of topics and types of courses, from no-cost webinars to week-long workshops to online intensives.
These offerings provide education, support, and encouragement for both beginning and published authors and illustrators, and are led by children’s publishing professionals: editors, authors, illustrators, art directors, publishers, agents, academics, and others who are there to help our community realize their creative goals.
We host our in-person workshops and retreats at our retreat center in Pennsylvania. Our offices are also located near the Highlights editorial office in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
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It is with a heavy heart that we come to terms with the fact that Liz will never create for these young readers again. She had such a rare gift. But it heartens us to know that recipients of the scholarship will be assisted in stepping into this incredible world of creating for children. That each of them will launch work that elicits wide eyes and big grins and hearty belly giggles. For every child should know this joy while reading a book.
Thank you so much for your time. As you go forth into the world, remember to smile at a stranger. Approach someone who seems lonely. Really listen. And strive for magnificence but not perfection.
And take chances creatively – go for it! You have nothing to lose by trying. This is how we can best honor Liz and her legacy.
Thank you.
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!!
Here is the link: (Scroll down on page and you will see the form ;-)
CLICK HERE FOR SCHOLARSHIP INFO AND TO APPLY
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If you would like to donate to the Liz Goulet Dubois scholarship, please send a check to:
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The Liz Goulet Dubois Scholarship
P.O. Box #276
South Yarmouth, MA 02664-0276
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OR you can send funds via Paypal.
First choose, “Send Money” under quick Links. Then please use the email address below:
LizGouletDuboisScholarship@gmail.com. (no fees)
Or use the Donate option (fees will reduce the effective amount of your donation):
Thank you <3