Post Wave Prize for Illustration 2027

The Post Wave Prize for Illustration 2027, organised by Post Wave Publishing UK Ltd, is an international competition for emerging and aspiring children’s book illustrators aged 18 or over. Entrants must submit a full‑colour book cover and one double‑page spread (with optional up to three supporting images) that illustrate a children’s book (fiction or non‑fiction) on the theme “A Bridge to Another World”. Submissions are digital (JPEG or PDF, max 10 MB, A3 size). The competition runs from 1 October 2026 (09:30 BST) to 4 January 2027 (17:30 GMT). No entry fee is required. Eligibility requires that illustrators have not been commercially published in children’s books, have not entered a publishing contract or accepted an offer for their illustrations between October 2026 and March 2027, and must not use AI‑generated artwork. Only one entry per person is allowed; joint entries are prohibited. The winner receives a £3,000 cash prize, a fully funded creative trip to Anxi County, China, detailed feedback, a portfolio review, and the opportunity for their work to be considered for publication. Highly commended entrants receive detailed feedback and a portfolio review. The winning artwork will be displayed at the Post Wave stand at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2027.

Cash prize, fully funded creative trip to Anxi County (China), portfolio review, detailed feedback, exhibition at Bologna Children’s Book Fair, possible publication consideration

Open to illustrators aged 18+ worldwide; must be previously commercially unpublished in children’s books; must not have a publishing contract or accepted offer for illustrations between Oct 2026–Mar 2027; no AI‑generated artwork; one entry per person; no joint entries; self‑published work allowed.