The Searchlight Writing for Children Awards is open for entries.
The closing date for entry is 1st September 2024.
There are two competition categories: Best Novel Opening for Children or Young Adults and Best Picture Book Text.
Winners will be chosen by Rachel Petty of The Blair Partnership and Lorna Hemingway of Bell Lomax Moreton.
Prizes
First prize is a one-to-one call with the agent judge plus £500 for the author of the winning picture book and £1000 for the author of the winning novel opening.
Second prize is manuscript feedback from celebrated author and creative writing tutor Steve Voake or expert picture book editor Natascha Biebow of Blue Elephant Storyshaping.
The top 10 stories in both categories will feature in an agent/publisher pitch book and be sent to literary agents/publishers who have requested it.
The entry fee is £12 for the picture book category and £16 for the novel opening category.