Here is a brief list of annual opportunities for New Zealand picture book writers, in order of closing date.
Scholastic NZ Valentine’s Day submission: unagented, unsolicited submissions open for one day only on February 14.
Walker Wednesdays: Walker Books open submissions for Australian and New Zealand writers. The submission date for 2021 is June 16.
Storylines Joy Cowley Award: competition for a picture book text, to be published by Scholastic New Zealand, closes 31 October.
Storylines Gavin Bishop Award: competition for unpublished illustrators, to illustrate a provided text. Winning entry to be published by Penguin Random House New Zealand, closes 30 November.
See the Storylines Awards page for more competitions for longer works aimed at older children.
So exciting! Happy writing!
Tania Sickling 