Post Wave Prize for Illustration 2027 – Children's Book Illustration Competition is now open for entries!
The Post Wave Prize for Illustration 2027 invites emerging illustrators worldwide to submit original children's book illustrations inspired by the theme “A Bridge to Another World”, celebrating creativity, imagination and visual storytelling.
Short description
The Post Wave Prize for Illustration 2027 is an international illustration competition organized by Post Wave Publishing UK Ltd, dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging talent in children's book illustration.
The 2027 edition invites illustrators worldwide to explore the theme “A Bridge to Another World”, encouraging imaginative visual storytelling that connects with young readers. Participants are invited to interpret the theme through original artwork, whether inspired by fantastical adventures, everyday experiences or unexpected imaginary worlds.
Entrants must create a full-colour book cover and one illustrated double-page spread for a children's fiction or non-fiction book. The illustrations should demonstrate originality, artistic skill and a strong relationship between images and storytelling.
Submissions will be evaluated by an international panel of publishing professionals, illustrators and industry experts. The jury will consider creativity, visual storytelling, artistic technique, emotional impact and suitability for a young audience.
The competition aims to provide emerging illustrators with opportunities to develop their creative careers and gain recognition within the international children's publishing industry. Selected works will be celebrated in connection with the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2027.
Only one entry per participant is permitted.
Applicants must not have been commercially published in the children's book industry and must not have entered into a publishing contract or accepted an offer of publication for their illustrations during the competition period (October 2026 – March 2027).
Self-published illustrators are eligible, as are illustrators represented by an agent.
Only individual applications are accepted. Employees of the organizer, their immediate families and people involved in organizing or judging the competition are not eligible.
Submission requirements
➜ Submit one full-colour children's book cover and one illustrated double-page spread inspired by the theme “A Bridge to Another World”. Both elements are mandatory.
➜ The double-page spread must include an excerpt of text supporting the illustrations. Text may be original, created in collaboration with a writer or taken from a public-domain work. Non-English text must include an English translation.
➜ Entries must be original and suitable for children. AI-generated illustrations and AI-generated text are not permitted.
➜ Submit artwork digitally in JPEG or PDF format. Files must not exceed 10 MB in total, and the page dimensions must not exceed A3 (297 × 420 mm).
➜ Up to three additional supporting images may be submitted to demonstrate details, creative processes or special features of the artwork.
Eligibility
Open to emerging and aspiring illustrators aged 18 or over from anywhere in the world.
Benefits
The first prize winner will receive:
➜ £3,000 cash prize.
➜ A fully funded creative trip to the Anxi County region of China.
➜ Detailed professional feedback and a portfolio review from Post Wave Publishing UK Ltd or Post Wave Berlin Studio.
➜ The opportunity for their illustrated book proposal to be considered for development and publication by Post Wave Publishing UK Ltd. A publishing contract is not guaranteed.
➜ Exhibition of the winning artwork at the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2027 on the Post Wave Publishing stand.
Highly commended entrants will receive detailed feedback and a professional portfolio review.
The winners and highly commended entries will be announced on 10 March 2027.
Entry fees
The competition is free to enter.
