Submission Deadline:

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► February 3, 2026

Writers and illustrators may submit up ​to two submissions per category.

(Picture Book (text only), Illustrated Picture Book (text and illustrations), Children’s Book Illustrator’s Portfolio, Middle Grade Novel, and Young Adult Novel​)

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Submission Fees:

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► $25 for first submission; $20 for each additional submission. First entry is free for Shoreline Arts Alliance members Tier 2 and above.

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Submission Management:

 

► The Tassy Walden Submissions Management team reserves the right to re-categorize entries that seem better suited to another category. For instance, a novel may be moved from MG to YA.

► Each submission must include a completed submissions form and payment. (See submission formatting information here)

► Notification of awardees will be emailed to all submitters and posted on ShorelineArts.org in early May.

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Submission Guidelines:

You Are Eligible If:

• You have never published anything.

• You have published poetry, fiction, or nonfiction pieces (including memoirs, essays, or feature articles) in a magazine, newsletter, newspaper, literary journal, or trade journal; or have contributed in a minor way to an anthology.

• You have published such nonfiction works as a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation, or a technical manual or handbook.

• Your written work has been produced on stage but has not been published.

• Your illustration work has been published in a print magazine or newsletter or in an online magazine or newsletter.

• Your illustrations or other artwork have been shown or sold in a gallery or museum or other art space (including online).

• Your illustrations have been shown or sold in a self-published book form as a one-time requirement of your academic degree or program.

• Your written or illustrated work has been produced on calendars, greeting cards, bookmarks, or as similar printed material.

You Are NOT Eligible If:

• You are a member of the judging panel or a family member of a judge.

• You are a published writer or illustrator. These awards are dedicated to helping new talents emerge.

• You have had any book of fiction (novel, novella, short story), poetry, or nonfiction published (in print or e-book format).

• You have self-published (in print or e-book format) and offered for sale a book of either fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

• You are the named editor of any published book (for instance, anthologies of poetry, short stories, or essays).

• You are the illustrator of any published books (for instance, anthologies of poetry, short stories, or essays).

• You are the illustrator of any published illustrations in any book form (e-books, children's books, or adult fiction or nonfiction). 

• If your work has ever been printed and bound and has been given an ISBN number and/or has been offered for sale anywhere at any time, either in print of electronically, you are published and are not eligible to enter this competition.​

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► Please review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more submission information and submission restrictions.

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