Can you believe the 2025 PBParty contest entry date is on Monday? The judges and I can’t wait to read your entries.
I’ll share additional ways to prepare and tons of helpful tips.
PBParty Prep Zoom
We had an amazing time at the Zoom. We ended up going WAY over the 100 person limit. Thank you all so much for joining.
Here’s the replay link.
Passcode: .wdh$68^
Here’s a link to the Zoom chat transcript, if you’d like to check it out. There are great tips in there, too. 🙂
*We went through the PBParty Google forms in detail
*Past contest stats
*Agent/editor wishes & non-wishes
*Answered TONS of questions
Sample entry form for WRITERS
Sample entry form for AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATORS
We want you to be as prepared as possible, so here are the Google entry forms pasted into Google docs. You only have viewing access, so you can copy/paste into a doc and gather all the info needed so you’ll be 1000% ready to copy/paste that info into your entry form on February 3.
2024 PBParty Showcase
You can learn so much by viewing the showcase from last year! Thank you to the generous participants who kept their entries (or partial entries) up, to help you see what dazzles. So many people have told me they learned to write an amazing query thanks to past finalists and Success Stories.
Full showcase view
This is what agents/editors/ADs browse, then click on entries that catch their eye.
Browse as many entries as you’d like! Only one in the Illustration Showcase was taken down and I believe up to 10 out of 55 from the Finalist Showcase had part or all removed.
Here’s an example of a writer finalist – the author quickly signed with a requesting agent!
Here’s an example of an author/illustrator finalist – they signed with a requesting agent!
Here’s a direct link to the Illustration Showcase.
Wow, wow, wow. How amazing are these? And ALL those agent, editor & AD requests. Wahooooo! Just think…this could be YOU in March. Fingers and toes crossed for all of you!
Note: Some entries include a website link toward the top. Those were not there during the showcase. I gave finalists the opportunity to share a website link if they chose to leave their entry up.
Here’s a reminder that so many past finalists almost didn’t enter. You have nothing to lose by entering! And so much to possibly gain. If you’re unagented…we really hope you’ll enter. 🙂
Tips!
If a sample you’re considering entering to a contest like PBParty has a lot of art notes in the first 70 words…try to streamline them or use another manuscript. It’s hard to get a taste of the voice when art notes take up precious space.
Please look closely at the PB you’re entering. If something amazing happens soon after the 70 word limit…do everything possible to streamline the beginning to work it in. That could be what boosts you into the finals!
Streamlining tips:
Look for words you can easily cut, such as: that, just and make sure every word you use is as strong as possible. (Amazing resource of Crutch Words from Writers Helping Writers).
See if you can strengthen verbs like: ran fast to bolted (Incredible Weak Verb Converter Tool from Writers Helping Writers).
Tip: If you use these tools, make sure they’re the perfect words for your picture book.
If you streamline text or art notes…please see if you can get someone with fresh eyes to look over it to make sure your entry still makes sense. Those who have read your manuscript can fill in the blanks, but new readers will have the same view as our judges.
If you’ve included any art notes (which count for the first 70 words) make them as short and simple as possible. Don’t waste words by saying art note. If it’s in brackets, we know it’s a note. One of my PBs has a stray cat in a new home try to escape through a watery exit. [Toilet]
I have the word in brackets in a line of its own and it’s 1 word vs. 3 [Art note: toilet] Plus, it’s easier and less distracting to read inside a manuscript. We strongly prefer art notes this way.
Good luck. 
I know you can get it down to 70! You can ask anyone critiquing it to show you places to streamline, especially in the beginning.
More Tips!!
How to Craft an Amazing Picture Book Query. I totally forgot that I shared this last year. The judges shared queries and we went through what made them so strong and shared tons of tips!
If a PB is humorous, there should be at least a hint of humor in the first 70 words (and sooner, if possible). But it should show up in the sample to set the tone for the book. A child wanting a funny read might be disappointed enough to stop part way through the book. (Although, if illustrations are really funny, that could help a lot.)
Please follow directions! It was awful having to disqualify a bunch of entries because…
*Word count was under 200 (this is to protect YOU from having so much online with a 70 word sample that it could be considered published)
*Query was missing a bio or pitch. If you’re newer, saying SCBWI, 12x12PB, participating in PBParty, etc. is fine! But you need to have a bio. The bio also needs to be from you—not switch to 3rd person mid-way through. And it should be in paragraphs, not a list of comps or list of accomplishments like you’d have in a resume.
Don’t say: My name is or switch to 3rd person midway through a query. It’s a personal letter from you, not a business resume.
You must be unagented and the only creator of the entry (don’t worry, having critique groups and paid critiques still makes you the sole creator–it just can’t be co-writers or an author/illustrator team).
This didn’t disqualify people…but it’s frustrating when we do everything possible to let people know to ONLY choose up to 3 genres…and the form even says it right where you fill it out…and some participants mark way more than that. Finalists have their genres show in the main page of the final round…that and the title could entice agents/editors to click on an entry. But you can only see about 3 of them, so you need to showcase the strongest ones (and rhyming, if it rhymes).
Don’t end the sample mid-sentence!
In the past, some of the concepts were amazing…but something kept them back from the finals. In some cases, it was:
*The opening wasn’t strong enough (the hook didn’t show, awkward phrasing, or talking heads that didn’t allow for enough unique art bait, etc.)
*The writing felt older—more like a chapter book or MG
*The language didn’t sing
*The manuscript itself was too long, and would be stronger streamlined
*The sample was confusing
*Rhyme that wasn’t spot-on, didn’t feel right for the tone of the manuscript, or didn’t sing
*Not child-friendly enough
Here are past tips that might help you, too! Just remember those are old dates. But it’s full of ways to make your entry gleam.
Don’t wait until the last minute to get your entry ready. In case of tech issues, it’s best to send it earlier in the window. Once the window closes, it won’t reopen until the 2026 contest.
Please read our PBParty contest announcement post and FAQ here.
Submission day is Monday February 3, 2025
Midnight to 8 PM EST
Here’s the list of 62 participating PBParty agents, editors, and art directors. Wahooooooo! So many told me how excited they are to see the showcase. 🙂
Stay tuned for some of the most helpful slides Sylvia Chen created for our PBParty Prep Zoom…so you can inspect them in detail. I’ll also include the Google entry links (even though they won’t go live until February 3). But I’m sure you’ll feel more comfortable having them ready.
I’m sending tons of fairy dust your way and hope you’ll feel like a winner even if you don’t make it into the showcase. There are so many reasons to celebrate…putting yourself out there, taking another step (or leap) in your kidlit career, making new kidlit friends and an incredible support system, new critique buddies or groups. And especially for focusing on your PB in detail so it’s much stronger than it was before the contest prep. Wahoooooo!
What makes you feel like a winner now…and how will you celebrate?
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