A Better Model for Picture Book Awards
Too many winners. Long timelines. Multiple category fees.
The First Stories Prize is a faster, affordable, more selective award designed specifically for picture books.
A Different Kind of Book Prize
Most picture book awards rely on category-based entry, which increases cost and leads to a large number of winners.
The First Stories Prize uses a single-entry model, limits the number of books selected each cycle (raising the value of each selection) and operates on a shorter timeline, allowing the winning authors to better connect the award to their release schedule.
Judging is conducted by college and MFA-level instructors in children’s writing and illustration, providing a different level of expertise than most award panels.
How it Works
The First Stories Prize is structured to keep the process simple, affordable, and focused.
- One submission per title
- A single entry fee
- No categories or multiple entries required
- Three books (max) selected per cycle
- One annual winner selected from those books
Four Selection Cycles
The prize runs across four cycles each year, allowing books to be considered throughout the publishing calendar:
- Winter Cycle
- Spring Cycle
- Summer Cycle
- Fall Cycle
Each cycle may name up to three finalists, creating an annual pool of 12 finalists eligible for Picture Book of the Year. If fewer than three books meet the finalist standard in any cycle, the unused finalist spots will carry forward to the next cycle. This means a later cycle may name more than three finalists—but only a max of 12 books will be named finalists each year.
2026-2027 Calendar
Each cycle in the First Stories Prize competition is designed for newly released books, with finalists announced shortly after submissions close.
Books published before the current eligibility window may be submitted through the Featured Books program. Up to two Featured Books are selected each month (Featured Books are recognized separately and are not included in the annual pool of 12 finalists).
Fall 2026 (Now Open)
- Eligible Books: Published July 1 – September 30, 2026
- Submission Deadline: Oct 15, 2026
- Selections Announced: Nov 1, 2026
Winter 2027
- Eligible Books: Published October 1 – December 31, 2026
- Submission Deadline: Jan 15, 2027
- Selections Announced: Feb 1, 2027
Spring 2027
- Eligible Books: Published January 1 – March 31, 2027
- Submission Deadline: April 15, 2027
- Selections Announced: May 1, 2027
Summer 2026
- Eligible Books: Published April 1 – June 30, 2027
- Submission Deadline: July 15, 2027
- Selections Announced: Aug 1, 2027
Entry Fees
Entry to the First Stories Prize competition is $69.
Entry to the Featured Books program is $49.
Authors select the appropriate program for their book at the beginning of the submission process.
How to Submit
Use the button below to access the submission platform. We are currently accepting submissions for the Fall 2026 season.