Calling all unpublished and self-published Black-British children's writers!
From 7 November 2022 to 9 January 2023, Jericho Prize are accepting picture book manuscripts for a chance to win a publishing contract with Scholastic UK, SCBWI membership, exclusive access to publishing professionals, and more.
The prizes
The winner will receive:
-
A guaranteed publishing contract from Scholastic UK, with a £1500 author advance plus mentoring
Plus:
-
A 12-month scholarship membership with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
-
A 12-month membership to the Society of Authors including unlimited access to their resources, industry guides and advisors
-
A copy of A Writer's Journal Workbook by Lucy van Smit
-
A copy of Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2023, foreword by Smriti Halls
Two runners-up will each receive:
-
Mentoring from Anna McQuinn, editor-at-large at Alanna Max, or Natascha Biebow, editor at Blue Elephant Storyshaping
-
Art direction consultation with author-illustrator Ken Wilson-Max from Alanna Max
-
A copy of Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2023
Two writers with potential will each receive:
-
Detailed script feedback and a chance to chat with children's book editor and author Naomi Jones
-
A copy of Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2023
-
Priority booking for future workshops
What are Jericho Prize looking for in a submissions?
Stories that suit the picture book format and are aimed at young readers aged 3 years plus. They must be no more than 700 words long and should:
-
-
Feature an authentic-feeling Black or mixed-Black main character
-
Be well-structured stories with a clear beginning and satisfying ending
-
Be written in rhyme or prose
-
Be uplifting and light-hearted, humorous or thought-provoking
-
Feel original and relevant to 21st-century children
-
Not have historical, distressing or overtly anti-racist themes
-
Be age-range appropriate, eg must not be first-word or look-'n'-feel books aimed at babies, toddlers and preschoolers
-
Read Writing a children's book, FAQs and Submission guidelines for more info.
