Curious About Contests

I’ve been spending time lately looking into picture book contests. Not entering… yet. Just learning, reading the rules, studying past winners, and noticing what kinds of stories rise to the top.

I’m still new to the children’s book world, but the more I learn, the more I love it. There's something about the way a picture book can hold both simplicity and depth.

I’ve written quite a few children’s stories over the years. Some of my stories are soft and lyrical. Others are playful or a little odd in the most adorable way. They’ve lived quietly on my computer, but I’m starting to explore what it means to share them.

So when I stumbled onto a few picture book contests recently, something about them caught my attention. These weren’t just about winning or being seen, they were about growth. They’re about seeing how your story lands outside of your own hands. They’re about developing your voice.

Many of the contests are judged by editors, agents, or professionals in children’s publishing. That alone makes them worth studying. What kinds of stories win? What elements show up again and again? Who are the judges, and what kind of work do they typically champion?

Contests feel like a way to thoughtfully begin; it’s a way to understand the craft better and take a small step toward something bigger.

Right now, I’m paying attention, listening to what the industry values, and learning as I go. Maybe my next blog will be about the contests I decide to enter.

More soon,
Sherley L. Mondesir