I can’t believe it’s March already. The PBParty contest will be here soon. Wahoooo! The judges and are excited to read all the amazing entries.
If you missed the PBParty Prep Zoom, you definitely want to watch the replay. We go through everything you’ll need for the contest in detail–plus share tons of tips.
PBParty Prep Zoom Replay
Password: Xr3m*u$S
HUGE Giveaway!
I’m so grateful to every person who donated a prize. I love how supportive this community is! (((Hugs))) You’ll receive extra entries for following them on social media. Many will follow you back…as long as they can see that you write picture books, participate in PBParty, are a member of SCBWI, 12x12PB, etc. So make sure you have something in your bio that shows you’re part of the kidlit community, and put up a profile picture (if you’re camera shy, a photo of your book, favorite pet, flower, etc. is fine–just don’t leave it blank because it can stop people from following you back).
There are over 45 prizes! 🎉
New this year–I created a BlueSky Starter Pack of generous donors (which also includes the amazing PBParty judges who volunteer tons of time to help your publishing dreams come true). You can easily follow everyone with one click. Wahoooooo!
If you already follow someone, you can still receive extra entries for that option. 🙂
Please thank these donors for their generosity! Besides a verbal thank you, sharing posts, marking their books ‘Want to Read’ on Goodreads, or sharing reviews is a wonderful way to pay them back. Buying their books is amazing…but borrowing from your library and requesting if they aren’t there is a huge help, too.
Pssst…did you follow all the agents, editors and art directors who participate in PBParty yet? I’m adding to their Starter Pack when I receive new info–so it’s a good idea to check back every once in a while.
NOTE: You may need to refresh your screen to see all the entry options. Good luck! 🙂
Writers and author/illustrators planning to enter the 2026 PBParty contest can win…
| 2 winners for a written critique by Serafina Finnegan [Sharon Match, Missy Pray] |
| 1 winner for choice of Zoom chat & critique or ranking up to 5 manuscripts by Lauren Kasiarz [Kathleen Jacobs] |
| 2 winners (writers) for a 30-min Zoom chat (winner’s choice of how to use the time – verbal critique of a ms and/or query letter, ranking a few mss, etc.) by Heather Stigall [Amanda Pryce, Susana Obando] |
| 1 winners for a written critique by Jamie Rodarte [Maria Altizer] 2 winners for a ranking up to 3 manuscripts by Jamie Rodarte [Leonardo Francisco, Lisa Healy] |
| 2 winners for critiques of rhyming picture book manuscripts by Deb Lund [Milanka Reardon, Kim Crumrine] |
| 1 winner for a written critique of a rhyming picture book by Matt Forrest Esenwine [Karenlee Boardman] 1 winner for Zoom chat or critique with Matt Forrest Esenwine [Susan Burdorf ] |
| 1 winner for a written PB non-rhyming critique by Nadia Ali [Sarah Claxton] |
| 2 winners for a written picture book critique by COREY KING [Tamla Taneika Young, Susan Corry] |
| 1 winner for a written PB and query critique by Cindy Chambers Johnson [Robynn Hyde] |
| 1 winner for a written critique by Mary Helen Berg [Molly Schaffer] |
| 1 winner for a ranking of up to 5 manuscripts to help select the strongest & giving at least some feedback on the #1 manuscript by Amanda Adams [Sylvie Naux] |
| 1 winner for Zoom chat & critique by Liz Wilder [Audrey Suau] |
| 2 winners for choice of the following prizes by Charlie Griffin: [YoungJu Kim, Amy Martinez] *Written picture book critique (with or without a query critique) *Zoom chat or critique *Full PBParty entry critique (close look at the sample, query, connection to the story with either short or detailed notes on the full) *Ranking up to 5 manuscripts to help them select the strongest & giving at least some feedback on the #1 manuscript |
| 1 winner for a written critique (non-rhyming) with a query critique by Andrew Allsop. [Deborah Paquette] |
| 1 winner for a written picture book critique by Peggy Archer [Katie McEnaney] |
| 1 winner for a written picture book & query letter critique by Kristen Rashid [Rosemary Lynn] |
| 1 winner for a written critique by Emily Dolbin [Laura Croyle] |
| 2 winners for a written critique by Nakisa Nooraee [Erika Tovi, Markie Hayes] |
| 1 winner for picture book critique (with or without a query critique and dummy) by Joelle Gebhardt [Leah Keggi] |
| 1 winner for a written picture book manuscript critique with optional zoom chat follow up with author Meghan Wilson Duff [Mary Ann O’Rourke] |
| 1 winner for a written picture book critique (no rhyme, 1000 word count max) OR ranking up to 5 picture book manuscripts OR full PBParty entry critique by AIMEE SATTERLEE [Rachel Snow] |
| 1 winner for a full PBParty entry written critique (sample, query, connection, and manuscript) from Julie Hauswirth [Kristin Manty] |
| 1 winner for a full PBParty entry critique by Chandra Mayer [Kassandra Ayala] |
| 1 winner for a written critique with Kirsten Jacobson [Kim Larson] |
| 1 winner for a written picture book critique by Abby Wooldridge [Sarah Hirsch] |
| 1 winner for a written picture book critique (rhyming, prose, fiction, or nonfiction) by Hannah Holt [Stephanie Flom] |
| 2 Winners of a written picture book critique by Alex Waldo [Jacinta Patterson, Laura Handy] |
| 1 winner for a choice of Zoom chat and query letter critique OR ranking of up to 3 manuscripts and pitches. by Cait Darfler [Rachel] |
| 1 Winner for PBParty Entry Critique by Chelsea DiCicco. [Jenn Gautam] |
| 2 winners for their choice of a written critique or ranking up to 5 manuscripts with feedback by Lora Stead [Jany Campana, Hall] |
| 2 winners for a written picture book critique by Maritere Bellas [Inbal Alon, Lori Knutsen] |
Here’s what author/illustrators can win…
Author/illustrators planning to enter PBParty have additional prizes they can win. Wahoooooo! I’ll have RafflePress draw these winners first. If you don’t illustrate, please only enter the giveaway for writers.
1 winner for a portfolio, dummy, or illustration critique by Emily Dolbin [Rivers Johnson]
2 winners for a choice of a portfolio, dummy, or illustration critique by Christina Rodriguez-Unalt [Laura Sprtel, Meredith Hardt]
1 Winner for a Portfolio and/or Illustration Critique by Jason D. McIntosh [Moira Ratchford]
1 winner for a full author/illustrator pb dummy review and zoom chat by Marietta Apollonio. (Dummy needs to be near completion and in a single spreads PDF) [Olga Smith]
Note: If you plan to enter a rhyming PB, please let me know in the comments. If your name is chosen and one of the critiques by someone amazing with rhyme has an open spot, I’ll place you there. 🙂
Wow, wow, wow. How incredible are these prizes?
I want to make sure everyone receives their feedback in time to revise before the PBParty contest opens on March 17, so enter by Wednesday, March 4 at 3 pm Eastern. Good luck.
Keep an eye out for more important PBParty contest info
- The list of participating agents/editors/ADs will be up soon. We’re up to 39 so far. Wahooooo!
- I’ll share a Google doc with everything you’ll need to enter the Writer and Author/Illustrator forms. This way, you can fill in your responses and be ready to copy and paste them into the Google entry form on March 17.
- Tips, tips, tips!
- I’ll share the 2025 PBParty contest stats in a future post (you can view them in the PBParty Prep Zoom replay, too).
- I’ll share the link to the Google entry form at least a day or two before March 17, so you’ll be ready to go. The form won’t open until the window begins, but I know you’ll feel better having everything ready ahead of time. 🙂
Thank you, PBParty Judges!
I’m so grateful for the amazing PBParty judges! Please thank them in the comments and don’t forget to follow them on social media – because several of us will be shouting out tips and teasers.
Host Mindy Alyse Weiss: Twitter | BlueSky | Instagram
Ninja Superstar/Judge Sylvia Chen: Twitter | BlueSky | Instagram
Judges:
Marietta Apollonio: Twitter | BlueSky | Instagram
Aixa Perez-Prado: BlueSky | Instagram
Jenna Waldman: BlueSky | Instagram
Stacey Byer: Twitter | BlueSky | Instagram
Gabriele Davis: Twitter | Instagram
Brian Kirby: BlueSky | Instagram
Thanks to these past judges who will help if we need extra votes!
Brittany Pomales: Twitter | BlueSky | Instagram
Teresa Rodrigues: BlueSky | Instagram
A huge thank you to PBParty Designer, author/illustrator Melissa Escobar, for creating the PBParty contest logo, invitations, discussion cards, etc. I LOVE them! I hope you’ll contact Melissa or suggest her to your editor if her illustrations are a good match for you.
NOTE: Make sure you enter by Wednesday, March 4 at 3 pm. Good luck, everyone! ✨✨✨
90 Comments
Leave your reply.