Picture Book Author Prize 2026

Every submission is first read by Kim Donovan, founder of Searchlight Awards, together with a dedicated team of readers who bring a wide range of perspectives. Our team is passionate about children’s literature and includes children’s writers, teachers, editors, and past longlisted and shortlisted Searchlight authors. With great care, they review all entries and identify approximately the top 10% to be forwarded to our agent judging panel.

Three literary agent judges then read this top 10% and select the strongest entries for the longlist and shortlist.

At this stage, shortlisted authors are invited to submit the full texts for all their pitches. Our Final Judge then reads these manuscripts and selects the overall winner.

• Your story must be suitable for a young child
• Word limits: • 2–3 pitches, each up to 175 words • One full text — your story text and illustration notes together must total no more than 1,000 words • If shortlisted, you’ll be asked to submit the full texts for all your pitches, so each story should be under 1,000 words.
• Layout: Paste your 2-3 pitches and your picture book text into a single document, in that order.
• Text only. No artwork.
• Your story should be double-spaced, a size 12 font, and submitted as a doc, docx or PDF file.
• Other than story titles, please don’t include any other identifying information on the file, such as your name, as submissions are read blind.
• Your 2–3 pitches can be for a series or for standalone picture books.
• Entries need to be in English.
• 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 Refunds are not given if an entry is withdrawn.
• Entrants must be 16 years and over.
• Entrants must be unagented. You may be a published author, but the story you submit must be unpublished. If you are shortlisted, all the stories you submit at that stage must also be unpublished. None of the submitted stories may be under contract for future publication at the time results are announced, and entries must be withdrawn if you sign with an agent or publisher after entering. Entry fees are non‑refundable. Self‑published stories are eligible.
• Stories that have been previously longlisted or shortlisted by Searchlight Awards cannot be entered again.
• Entries must be the work of the entrant.
• AI generated stories or pitches are not eligible.
• If you are shortlisted, you will have one week to submit your 2-3 full texts for final judging.
• While entrants retain full copyright, by entering the Searchlight Awards 2026 Picture Book Author Prize you give permission, if shortlisted, for us to post your name, photograph, biography and a short extract of your initial story on the Searchlight Awards’ website.
• By entering the Searchlight Awards 2026 Picture Book Author Prize you give permission, if longlisted or shortlisted, for us to include your pitches and picture book texts in Searchlight’s Agent Pitch Book, which will be sent to UK literary agents.
• The decision of the readers and judges 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 in April 2027.
• By entering the Searchlight Awards 2026 Picture Book Author Prize, entrants agree to these rules.