I am delighted to work alongside bestselling WRITING MAGAZINE and my agent Julia Churchill to bring you this book prize. I had the idea for the Picture Book Prize in 2017 with the aim of helping emerging writers get a foot on the ladder. With Writing Magazine and my agent on board, we ran the first competition in 2017 and in 2020 we added a Chapter Book Prize.

The prizes have merged to form the Writing Magazine Children’s Book Prize, with two categories: Picture Books, and Chapter Books. You are very welcome to enter one or both categories!

Previous winners or listed writers have gone on to sign with agents (including Julia Churchill) or obtain publishing deals, and we are thrilled that the book prizes have offered a helping hand to so many writers.

How to enter the Prize

Writers who are unagented and not-yet-published in traditional children’s publishing are welcome to enter. Self-published authors are eligible. If you’re unsure if you’re eligible to enter, please get in touch. Only ONE story is allowed per category, to encourage a more equal footing, so please choose your strongest entry.

The submission window is open from 1st September – 31st October every year. Entries to the competition cost £7.50 per category (£6.00 for subscribers).

Picture Book category: Writing Magazine Children’s Book Prize 2023: Picture Book – Writers Online (writers-online.co.uk)

Chapter Book category, please visit here: Writing Magazine Children’s Book Prize 2023: Chapter Book – Writers Online (writers-online.co.uk)

For more details about terms and conditions, please visit www.writers-online.co.uk

GOOD LUCK!

Prizes

First place: The winner of each category will be offered a consultation with top children’s fiction agent Julia Churchill, a year’s subscription to Writing Magazine and £200.

Second place:  The runner-up receives a picture book or chapter book critique by Amy Sparkes through Writing Magazine Writing Courses, a subscription to Writing Magazine and £50.

Third place: The second runner-up will win a year’s subscription to Writing Magazine.

All longlisted and shortlisted entries receive detailed, helpful feedback to help writers build on their stories and craft.

Good luck!