Submissions open for Tassy Walden Awards for New Voices in Children’s Literature 2024

Are you an unpublished children’s book author or illustrator?  Have you dreamed of having your writing and/or portfolio reviewed by a literary agent or book publisher?

Shoreline Arts Alliance is proud to announce the 24th annual New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards contest. The Tassy Walden Awards afford unpublished Connecticut authors and illustrators the opportunity to have their manuscripts and portfolios reviewed by literary agents—as well as editors and art directors—at premier publishing houses for children’s literature.

The New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards is a Connecticut statewide, juried competition open to writers and illustrators who are not yet published or under contract for publication.  Categories include Picture Book (for text only), Illustrated Picture Book (if author and illustrator are the same person), Children’s Book Illustrator Portfolio, Middle Grade Novel, and Young Adult/Teen Novel.  All submitted works that meet the contest guidelines will be sent to literary agents for the first tier of judging.  Works deemed outstanding will then be sent on to publishers and editors at major publishing houses for children’s literature.  All submissions for this year’s contest are due by February 1, 2024. 

Visit shorelinearts.org for guidelines, FAQs for preparing manuscripts and portfolios, and this year’s application. Email office@shorelinearts.org for more information