This year, SCBWI partnered with Larrikin House for a special, exclusive opportunity. The Larrikin House Picture Book and Graphic Novel Manuscript Competition was open only to SCBWI members and offered the chance to win a one on one feedback session with Publisher James Layton, as well as the chance to secure a publishing contract.
Applicants were required to submit an original 250-500 word picture book manuscript or the first 1000 words of an original graphic novel manuscript with edgy humour and quirk. There was no entry fee and copyright of the manuscript remains with the author.
Here is what Larrikin had to say about the entries:
‘Larrikin House were so excited to receive 140 picture book and graphic novel entries for the Larrikin House/ SCBWI competition! It’s been a challenge to shortlist from such a collection of zany, unique larrikins! It’s been a real delight to read the manuscript’s of writers who are so passionate about bringing joy to children! It’s also been a blast collaborating with SCBWI and we hope we can do it again next year! Fingers crossed we can get a Larrikin House SCBWI competition winner to publication!’
The winner will be announced in September, but for now, drum roll please….here are the long and shortlists!
PICTURE BOOK LONGLIST
Brooke Hill - The Very Long Minute
Amanda Lieber - Bertie's Nose
Alysia Kelly - Dinolicious
Angie Cui - Sweet Friends
Angie Schiavone - Holly v Santa
Joanne Morrell - The Shouting Family
Pamela Ueckerman - The Incredible Thingamjig
Victoria McKinlay - Ding! Go!
PICTURE BOOK SHORTLIST
Angela Toniolo - We LOVE being messy
Deborah Abela - No More Room in the Bed
Deborah Frenkel - The Boy with the Hair
Stef Gemmill - How To Train Your Parents
Sussanah Crispe - Frank
GRAPHIC NOVEL LONGLIST
Karen Wasson - The Wall
Kristy Nita Brown - Silly Willy for Class Captain
SB Tholen - Motosaurus
Amani Uduman - Spy Fly: A Secret Agent
GRAPHIC NOVEL SHORTLIST
Karen Tyrrell - Ghost Boy
Kristian Aus - The Corgi Boys Detective Agency
Shara Curlett - Kip and Kaos
Huge congratulations to everyone on the lists and thank you to Dani Vee and James Layton for such an incredible opportunity. We look forward to seeing who will take out the winning spot in September. Stay tuned!