Best Children’s Illustrated Picture Book 2023

Submissions from 3rd October 2022 to 1st March 2023, midnight UK time

Entries are invited for our new illustrated picture book competition. We’re searching for exciting stories that young children will ask for again and again!

Show us stories in development: rough sketches for the majority of the book, carefully positioned text, and at least two finished double-page spreads in colour. If you have a picture book that is ready for publication or a self-published one, you can enter, too. Entrants can submit individually or collaborate in illustrator/author pairs.

Prizes

Top 10 Shortlisted Entries

Your story included in The Winners’ Collection, which is sent to literary agents and publishers to help your work get noticed.

Your biography and a page of your story included in our Winners’ Gallery on the Searchlight Awards’ website, which agents, publishers, friends and family can access.

First Prize

All the above, with your story recognised as the Competition Winner, plus £500 in Cash.

Key Information

Submissions from 3rd October 2022 to 1st March 2023, midnight UK time

Judge: Caroline Wakeman of Caroline Wakeman Literary Agency

Entry fee per story: £9

Results published: 31st May 2023

Please read the rules below before entering the competition

Enter Now

This competition is now closed.

Competition Information