The Kelpies Prize for Writing and Illustration 2027 is now open for entries.
Are you a writer or illustrator based in Scotland? Do you have a passion for children’s books and stories to tell? Then read on…
The deadline for entries is Sunday 7th March 2027 at midnight. More details and entry form links here
Organised by Edinburgh-based publisher Floris Books, The Kelpies Prize for Writing and Illustration is for writers and illustrators in Scotland who want to start a career in children’s books. The Kelpies imprint has been published by Floris Books since 2002, and features quality Scottish books for children everywhere.
The prize package includes a mentorship with an experienced editorial or design team, consideration for a publishing deal, plus £500 cash, which the award organisers hope will help the winners take their first steps as a children’s author or illustrator.
If that sounds like you, check out full details on how to enter the Kelpies Prize for Writing or the Kelpies Prize for Illustration.
The organisers welcome entries to the Kelpies Prizes from people whose backgrounds are not well represented in children’s books, including under-represented ethnic backgrounds, disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, minority faith, care-experienced, working class or low income backgrounds. (Entrants must live in Scotland).
Christine Irvine, a queer writer from East Kilbride who now lives in Glasgow, was the winner of the Kelpies Prize for Writing last year, while Susan Mitchell, an illustrator and designer from Edinburgh and graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, won the Kelpies Prize for Illustration.
• The deadline for entries is Sunday 7th March 2027 at midnight | Full details here
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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