Can you believe it’s almost time to enter the 2024 PBParty contest? The judges and I are SO excited to read your entries. The submission window opens tonight at midnight, just as it turns February 22 EST and runs through 8 pm. I’ll share reminders with a link to this post on Twitter, BlueSky and the PBParty Participant Facebook group.
Google entry form for WRITERS
Google entry form for AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATORS
Here’s additional posts that might help you!
The main PBParty contest info and detailed FAQ
Link to the PBParty Prep Zoom replay plus the Google form screenshot and Google doc (you can copy and paste in a new file) so you can make sure you’re ready ahead of time
How to Craft an Amazing Picture Book Query (including samples of queries and blurbs/pitches)
PBParty Success Stories…with queries that worked
KidLit Works: Crafting Strong Openings (tips and strong openings of published books–and why they’re awesome)
A few last minute tips
*You don’t need to enter the moment the window opens…but please don’t wait until the last minute. You never know what might come up! Once the Google forms close, they won’t open again until the 2025 PBParty contest.
*Please double or triple check everything before hitting ‘send’ on your entry. You can’t edit or send an additional entry. Try your best not to have typos, but a typo (or possibly two) won’t disqualify you. If you’re a finalist, we’ll make sure it’s fixed before the showcase.
*It’s easiest if you format your art notes like this [Awesome art note] You can put it on its own line. Not including Art note or Illustration saves you a word or two, makes it faster for everyone to read–and will hopefully have them all uniform when I copy/paste the finalist entries into the showcase.
*If you have italics in your sample, you may put an asterisk before and after them, so I’ll know how to format it if you’re in the finals. Example: *Are the judges going to pick me?* (Please only do this in your sample, not in your query.)
*Get ready for fun daily Twitter chats on the #PBParty hashtag and on BlueSky. Most will post at 9 am EST, but the first one will go up right when the contest window opens. Feel free to answer them at any time! It’s also a great chance to like/reply to comments from others, follow them, and make some amazing new PB friends. (We hope everyone will chat–even if they aren’t entering PBParty.)
Keep an eye out for tips and teasers from the judges on Twitter and BlueSky as we read your entries!
Here’s where to follow the PBParty Dream Team of judges! Please thank them for their time, dedication, and support. They’re amazing! I’m so lucky to be on this journey with them. And an extra shout out to Ninja Superstar Sylvia Chen who always goes so far above and beyond with her killer spreadsheet, Zoom graphics and stats skills. She’s made this process so much easier for the judges and me, and I can’t thank her enough.
Follow PBParty Judges on Twitter
Mindy Alyse Weiss * Sylvia Chen * Gabriele Davis * Aixa Perez-Prado * Marietta Apollonio * Brittany Pomales * Layton Scarbrough
Follow PBParty Judges on BlueSky
Mindy Alyse Weiss * Sylvia Chen * Jenna Waldman* Aixa Perez-Prado * Marietta Apollonio * Brittany Pomales * Layton Scarbrough
Since we have people entering from around the world, I want to make it as easy as possible to know when the window opens and closes. Here’s a world clock!
World ClockI know how hard waiting can be. I LOVE making one or more goals for myself so I’ll be productive and time will pass by faster. How are you going to celebrate entering…and what will you challenge yourself to do while waiting for the titles of the finalists to be posted on March 17?
I’m sending tons of good luck vibes and fairy dust your way!
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