Best Children’s Illustrated Picture Book 2023

There are three rounds of reading and judging. The first is undertaken by our dedicated Searchlight Awards’ founder, Kim Donovan. Stories are then allocated to a team of experts in children’s writing/illustration, all with recognised qualifications and experience of Writing for Young People/Creative Writing or Illustration.

Here are some of the things our judges will be looking for:

• Originality
• Writing craft
• Voice
• Characters we care about
• Artistic quality
• Storytelling for artwork
• Layout of text and artwork
• Appealing to both a parent and young child

• Your picture book must be suitable to read aloud to a young child.
• Finished books are accepted.
• For picture books in development, please provide rough sketches and carefully positioned text for the majority of the book and at least two finished double-page spreads. We would like to see the cover, too, which can also be rough artwork.
• Please don’t include your name on the book cover as stories are read blind.
• Submit one file, as a PDF. Maximum file size 10 MB.
• Rhyming stories are allowed.
• Entries need to be in English.
• Entries are welcome from individuals or illustrator/author pairs.
• Multiple entries are permitted. However, we require a separate entry form and a new payment each time.
• Stories cannot be altered after they are submitted. Refunds are not given if a story is withdrawn.
• Entrants must be 16 years and over.
• Stories must be previously unpublished. However, self-published picture books are eligible.
• Entries from illustrators and authors worldwide are welcome.
• Entries must be the work of the entrant (s).
• While entrants retain full copyright, by entering the Best Children’s Illustrated Picture Book 2023 competition you give permission, if shortlisted, for us to publish your name, photograph, biography and a page of your story on the Searchlight Awards’ website.
• By entering the Best Children’s Illustrated Picture Book 2023 competition you give permission, if shortlisted, for us to include your story in the Winners’ Collection, which will be sent to UK literary agents and publishers. If you do not wish to have your story promoted to agents/publishers you may opt out on the entry form.
• The decision of the readers and judge is final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding judging. We are unable to provide individual feedback.
• The competition organisers have the right to change the judge.
• Results will be posted on the Searchlight Awards’ website and winners will be emailed on 31^st May 2023.
• By entering the Best Children’s Illustrated Picture Book 2023 competition, entrants agree to these rules.