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Nominations Open: Apila First Impression Award 2027

Deadline: 14-Feb-2027

The Apila First Impression Award is a publishing-focused competition designed to discover and support new talent in children’s picture book illustration. Organized in Spain, it provides emerging illustrators with a rare opportunity to transform their work into a professionally published book.

The award emphasizes originality, creativity, and international participation, helping first-time authors enter the global children’s publishing market.

Programme Objectives

The award aims to:

  • Support emerging children’s book illustrators.
  • Promote original picture book creation.
  • Encourage international participation in illustration and storytelling.
  • Provide professional publishing opportunities.
  • Foster innovation in children’s literature.
  • Launch new talent into the publishing industry.
  • Strengthen creative collaboration between illustrators and publishers.
  • Promote high-quality visual storytelling for children.

What the Award Offers

The selected winner receives a professional publishing contract that includes:

  • Publication by Apila Ediciones (Spain).
  • Financial payment of €4,000.
  • Payment equivalent to 10% of the first print run value of the book.
  • International distribution and promotion of the published book.
  • Professional editorial support and production.

Rights and Contract Conditions

The publishing contract includes:

  • Transfer of publication rights to Apila Ediciones.
  • Transfer of international management rights.
  • Contract duration of 12 years.
  • Rights distribution between writer and illustrator based on prior agreement (if collaborative).
  • Full professional publishing and distribution management by the publisher.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Be an illustrator of any nationality.
  • Have no previously published children’s book with an ISBN by 30 June 2026.
  • Self-published works are allowed only if not issued through a publishing house or editorial services company.
  • Be an unpublished illustrator in children’s book publishing.

For Collaborative Projects

  • Eligibility applies specifically to the illustrator.
  • The illustrator must meet all eligibility requirements independently.
  • All submitted work must be original and free of third-party rights.

Submission Requirements

Submitted projects must:

  • Be original and fully created by the applicant(s).
  • Be free of copyright or third-party rights issues.
  • Be written in Spanish or English.
  • Be either original stories or adaptations of copyright-free works.
  • Not exceed 40 pages total, including:
    • Title pages
    • Credits
    • Legal pages
  • Exclude cover elements from the page count.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

The competition has a strict rule regarding AI usage:

  • The use of generative artificial intelligence tools is strictly prohibited.
  • This includes AI-generated, AI-edited, or AI-assisted illustrations.
  • Any detection of AI involvement results in automatic disqualification.

Why This Award Matters

The Apila First Impression Award plays an important role in the publishing ecosystem by:

  • Giving first-time illustrators access to professional publishing.
  • Supporting entry into the children’s literature market.
  • Encouraging original artistic and narrative creation.
  • Promoting international illustration talent.
  • Strengthening diversity in picture book publishing.
  • Helping new creators build professional careers.

How the Award Works

The process typically follows these steps:

  1. Illustrators create an original children’s picture book project.
  2. Applicants submit their work in Spanish or English.
  3. Submissions are reviewed by the selection committee.
  4. The winning illustrator is chosen based on creativity, originality, and suitability for publication.
  5. The winner signs a publishing contract with Apila Ediciones.
  6. The book is professionally produced, published, and distributed internationally.

How to Apply

Applicants should:

  1. Confirm eligibility (unpublished illustrator in children’s book publishing).
  2. Develop an original picture book project (maximum 40 pages).
  3. Ensure all content is fully original and rights-cleared.
  4. Avoid any use of generative AI tools.
  5. Prepare the manuscript and illustrations in Spanish or English.
  6. Submit the complete project to the competition organizers.
  7. Await selection results from Apila Ediciones.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

  • Having previously published a children’s book with an ISBN.
  • Using generative AI tools in any part of the submission.
  • Submitting non-original or copyrighted material.
  • Exceeding the 40-page limit.
  • Including third-party content or rights violations.
  • Ignoring eligibility rules for illustrators.
  • Submitting incomplete project files.

Tips for a Strong Submission

To improve your chances:

  • Focus on originality in both story and illustration.
  • Create strong visual storytelling suitable for children.
  • Ensure clarity and coherence across all pages.
  • Keep composition simple, engaging, and age-appropriate.
  • Carefully follow page limits and submission rules.
  • Highlight a distinctive illustration style.
  • Ensure all rights and content are fully original.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Apila First Impression Award?

It is an international illustration competition that offers unpublished children’s book illustrators a professional publishing contract in Spain.

2. What does the winner receive?

The winner receives a publishing contract with Apila Ediciones, a payment of €4,000, and international distribution of the published book.

3. Who can apply?

Illustrators of any nationality who are over 18 years old and have not published a children’s book with an ISBN by 30 June 2026 can apply.

4. Are self-published books allowed?

Yes, but only if they were not published through a publishing house or editorial services company.

5. Is AI-generated artwork allowed?

No. The use of generative AI in any part of the project is strictly prohibited and results in disqualification.

6. What is the maximum page limit?

Submissions must not exceed 40 pages, including title and credits pages but excluding cover elements.

7. What language can the submission be in?

Projects can be submitted in either Spanish or English.

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Conclusion

The Apila First Impression Award is a significant opportunity for emerging illustrators to enter the professional world of children’s picture book publishing. By offering a full publishing contract, financial support, and international distribution through Apila Ediciones, the award helps unpublished creators launch their careers while promoting originality, artistic expression, and high-quality storytelling in children’s literature.

For more information, visit Apila Ediciones.