So many congratulations to everyone who made the longlist for this year’s Writing Magazine Picture Book Prize. All of your stories were brilliant and decisions have been so, so tricky. After much debating, here are the shortlisted entries:
Incredible Custard Catastrophe – Sian Bailey, Hampshire
Dinosaur Delivery Driver – Bee Boyty, Chiswick
Grandad’s Missing Memory – Jo Dearden, Lancashire
Quickest Bedtime Story Ever – Louise Fitzgerald, Kent
Digging for Dad – Pete Frederick, Leicestershire
Hey Artist, This Bear’s in the Wrong Book – Louise Jones, Manchester
Saturday Knight Fever – Stephen Rogers, Kent
Alphabet Parade – Cathy Rushworth, Norwich
Raccoons Aren’t Pets – Kara Sibilia, New Jersey
Glow – Hannah Stephenson, Merseyside
Congratulations to everyone on the list! We hope this is an extra lovely Christmas present for you in a challenging year. You will be receiving detailed feedback in early 2021.
To those of you who didn’t make the shortlist, please do not be discouraged. Titles moved up and down and on and off – you may have come very close. At the end of the day, it’s a subjective thing! We hope that the longlisting is a boost to you. It’s a HUGE deal to be chosen from over 450 entries. Do mention it on your social media bio and any query letters you submit. Keep writing, keep going, keep learning, keep honing. The Picture Book Prize will be back in 2021! And we really hope to see you there.