Contests & Awards
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| © Jena Benton |
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:
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Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award - $500 and free conference tuition for unpublished writer over age 50
MAY
- 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)
May 1- May 31 Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards
- What: Award voted by SCBWI members for excellent books published in 2025 in various regions.
- Who: SCBWI members can nominate their books by May 31
- Award: recognition from your peers
May 4-May 31 Asian Voices in Children’s Literature, cosponsored by Free Spirit Publishing and Sambasivan & Parikh.
- What: submit original children's books for ages 0-4 (50-125 words), or for ages 4-8 (300-1000 words) which must feature authentic, realistic characters of Asian heritage
- Who: authors of Asian heritage
- Prizes: cash prizes ($1000, $500, and $300) plus serious consideration for publication (not guaranteed)
- 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
May 1- May 30 A. Orr Fantasy Grant
- What: award for middle grade and YA fantasy/sci-fi authors
- Who: SCBWI members, unpublished (self-published ok)
- Prize: tuition to summer SCBWI conference plus $600
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
- What: $5000 grant for help with a WIP
- Who: children's or YA authors who have been traditionally published, whose work has been warmly received by literary critics, but have not generated significant sales
- Prize: $5000 grant
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
June 30 Lee & Low New Visions Award
- What: submit your MG or YA manuscript (novel or GN). Manuscript should address the needs of children and teens of color or Indigenous children and teens by providing stories with which they can identify and relate, and which promote a greater understanding of one another.
- Who: writers who identify as African/African American/Black, Asian/Asian American/AAPI, Indigenous & First Nations/Native American, Latinx/Latino/Hispanic, or Middle
- Award: a standard publishing contract of advances + royalties worth $15,000 + mentorship
April 1- June 30 (2027) 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
- Timing: next New Voices Award will take place in 2027
JULY
July 1- July 31 Emerging Voices Award
- What: grant to foster the emergence of diverse voices children's literature
- Who: any writer or writer/illustrator from a marginalized identity that is traditionally under-represented in children’s literature in America; un-agented, unpublished, over 18
- Prize: 2 recipients will receive full tuition at any SCBWI virtual event, mentorship and showcase for editors/agents
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
Sept. 14-16 Kidlit Chuckle Challenge
- What: Submit a funny story under 200 words using the prompts provided
- Who: anyone over 18 years old
- Prizes: courses, query critiques, signed books more
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).
Oct. 29-31 The 15th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest with Susannah Hill
- What: Write a 100-word Halloween story appropriate for children (under 12 years old) using the words wings, spell and fog
- Prizes: Workshops, mentorship, books, more.
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