Post Wave Illustration Prize 2027: £3,000 and Bologna Book Fair Display, 4 January Deadline
Post Wave Publishing UK is accepting international entries for the 2027 Post Wave Prize for Illustration. The year's theme is 'A Bridge to Another World', inviting visual stories for children that explore new places, perspectives, imagination or unfamiliar experiences. Entries opened 1 October 2026 and close at 17:30 GMT on 4 January 2027.
The award is open to emerging and aspiring illustrators aged 18 or older anywhere in the world. It has a material restriction: entrants must not already have commercially published or commissioned work in children's books within the competition's stated period. Self-published illustration projects can be eligible, and having an agent alone does not disqualify an entrant.
Entrants create a full-colour illustrated children's-book cover and one double-page spread responding to the theme. The spread must contain some accompanying text, although the judges assess the illustrations rather than the writing. Up to three extra supporting images may be added. Traditional and digital illustration techniques are allowed, but AI-generated artwork is not; all entries must be submitted digitally, not by post.
The winner receives £3,000, an opportunity for their illustrations to be considered for publication, a fully funded creative visit to the Anxi region of China and display at Post Wave Children's Books' Bologna Book Fair 2027 stand. The word 'considered' is important: this opportunity is not an automatic publishing contract.
Post Wave Publishing UK is part of a wider publishing group with offices in the UK, Germany and the United States. The publishing imprint, detailed official terms and announced exhibition partnership provide ways to verify the opportunity before providing original artwork and rights-related declarations.
Official guidelines, themes and entry route: https://postwavepublishing.us/about/post-wave-prize-for-illustration/