Contests & Awards
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| © Sheila Keegan |
Submitting your work to contests and awards is a great way to get your work noticed. Here's a list of submission opportunities for children's writing and illustrating. We normally only list contests that do not require an entry fee.
Also, check out these other compilations of contests:
- Sub It Club's monthly lists of contests (see their contest roundup calendar)
- Funds for Writers
- Lee & Low's roundup of Awards & Grants for Authors of Color
- Institute for Children's Literature runs contests (for fee)
- Poet & Writer's Database of Writing Contests (includes fee contests)
Before entering a contest, pay attention to warning signs:Writing Contests are Important: How to Choose the Right Ones from the Scams; Awards Profiteers: How Writers Can Recognize Them and Why They Should Avoid Them
James Cross Giblin Scholarship for Highlights Foundations courses
What I Gained from Contests (Besides my Agent)
Draw This!
- What: monthly illustration challenge with a prompt, due 20th of each month
- Who: SCBWI members
- Prize: winning pieces featured in SCBWI's monthly newsletter
ONGONG
- What: apply for emergency funds during the pandemic
- Who: people of color in the children's publishing industry (agents, editors, authors, illustrators) who've been furloughed or lost their jobs
- Award: emergency funds
MARCH
SCBWI grants with end of March deadlines:
Don Freeman Grant - two $1,000 grants to assist an illustrator with completion of a book dummy or portfolio
Work-in-Progress Grant - to assist in the completion of a manuscript not under contract
Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award - $500 and free conference tuition for unpublished writer over age 50
APRIL
- What: submit a fiction or nonfiction picture book manuscript less than 1500 words
- Who: may not have published or sold a picture book
- Award: two $500 stipends (one fiction, one nonfiction) to help sell your work (submission advice, counseling, editing, querying)
April 1- June 30 Lee & Low New Voices Award
- What: award given biennially to an unpublished writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer for a picture book manuscript (fiction, nonfiction, poetry)
- Award: monetary award and potential publication
MAY
May 1- May 31 Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards
- What: Award voted by SCBWI members for excellent books published in 2024 in various regions
- What: apply for free place at the Undiscovered Voices master class series (June 5, 12, 19) and free SCBWI membership
- Who: writers living in the UK who identify as coming from an underrepresented background in publishing
JUNE
June 1- June 30 Volemos Award
- What/who: award for writers of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American heritage early in their career (1-3 traditionally published books) or not yet traditionally published
- Award: $500, 1 yr-SCBWI membership, coaching
June 30 Get the Word Out Publicity Incubator
- What: a publicity incubator for early career authors. Under the mentorship of an accomplished book publicist, writers will develop and execute publicity strategies to maximize the exposure of their first or second book, reach readers, and create a platform to propel their literary careers.
- Who: early career author
- Award: six-session online workshop with experienced book publicist, participate in a peer learning community
June 1 - June 30 Ezra Jack Keats Showcase Prize
- What: apply for cash award to advance professional artistic development and growth
- Who: BIPOC creator who has not been traditionally published
- Award: $3500
JULY
June 16-July 22 2025 Black Voices in Children's Literature: Writing Contest
- What: enter original, unpublished, not-under-contract children's books (for ages 0-4 or 4-8) featuring authentic, realistic Black characters and culture, focusing on character development, self-esteem, identity, diversity, getting along with others, engaging with family & community, or other positive childhood development
- Who: Black authors 18 years or older residing in the US
- Award: 3 cash prizes, consideration for publication by Free Spirit Publishing
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 1 Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award
- What: recognizes unpublished manuscripts of Jewish fiction for readers 8-13 years old
- Who: writer with no previously published fiction books for young readers
- Award: $1,000
OCTOBER
Sept. 8-Oct. 13 Latino Voices in Children's Literature Writing Contest (sponsored by Free Spirit Publishing and Con Todo Press)
- What: The contest’s mission is to elevate authentic, culturally relevant children’s stories written by and about Latino people. Submit original, unpublished picture book or board book manuscripts.
- Who: open to Latino authors who at the time of entry are at least 18 years of age and residing anywhere in the United States, and who have not previously published work for children
- Award: Every entry is considered for publication and three cash prizes will be awarded ($1000 first prize).
FALL
- What: submit a short illustrated story following a theme prompt and an assignment
- Who: SCBWI member
- Award: all-expenses paid trip to NY SCBWI conference plus inclusion in the NY portfolio showcase