About the Open Call

The Post Wave Prize for Illustration, run by Post Wave Publishing UK Ltd with support from Anxi County Historical and Cultural Research Association, Fujian Province, China, aims to support and promote emerging children’s book illustrators. The prize is open to emerging and aspiring illustrators, aged 18 or over, who are not yet commercially published or commissioned in children’s books. Entries are accepted from illustrators based anywhere in the world. Submissions open on October 1, 2025, and close on January 7, 2026. Entrants must submit a book cover and one double-page spread of full-color art for a children’s illustrated book, based on the theme ‘Time for Tea’. Artwork should be imaginative, connect with children, and show real artistic skill, using any media (traditional or digital, not AI). Judging criteria include Originality, Visual Storytelling, Artistic Skill, Fit to Brief, Emotional Impact, and Inclusivity. Shortlist will be notified on February 13, 2026, and announced on February 27, 2026. Winner and highly commended entrants will be notified on March 2, 2026, and announced on March 16, 2026. The winning work will be displayed on the Post Wave Publishing stand at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026.

What is Offered

The winner will receive a monetary prize of £3,000 (approximately $4,000), the opportunity to have their illustrations or work considered for publication, and a fully funded, creative trip to the Anxi County region of China. Highly commended entries will receive a portfolio review with an Art Director from Post Wave Publishing UK Ltd. The winning work will also be displayed at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026.

Requirements

The prize is open to aspiring or emerging illustrators, aged 18 or over, who are not yet commercially published or commissioned in children’s books. Entrants may be represented by an agent. Submissions are accepted from illustrators based anywhere in the world and must adhere to the provided submission criteria. Work can be in any media (traditional or digital, but not AI). Only one entry per candidate is allowed.

How to Apply

Submissions must be made digitally via the 'Enter here' link (postwavepublishing.com/enter-the-post-wave-prize-for-illustration/). Only one entry per candidate is allowed. Entrants must submit a book cover and one double-page spread of full-color art for a children’s illustrated book, based on the theme 'Time for Tea'. Submissions should be no larger than A3 size and supplied as JPEGs or PDFs only, not exceeding 10Mb in total. File-naming convention: Lastname_Firstname_BOOKCOVER, Lastname_Firstname_SPREAD, Lastname_Firstname_IMAGE_1 (up to 3 supporting images). Postal submissions will not be considered.