Apila’s First Printing Award 2027 Opens Call for Illustrated Picture Book Projects

Apila Ediciones has opened submissions for the Apila’s First Printing Award 2027, an international competition for illustrated children’s picture book projects aimed at emerging illustrators seeking to publish their first professional book.

Organized by Apila Ediciones in collaboration with the Aragón School of Design and with the support of Zaragoza City Council, the award offers the winning creator the opportunity to turn an unpublished project into a professionally published picture book with international distribution.

Established in 2013, the Apila First Printing Award was created to support illustrators who have not previously published a picture book with an ISBN, with the exception of qualifying self-published works. Over the years, the initiative has helped a number of its winners begin professional careers in illustration and children’s publishing.

The 2027 competition is open to illustrators of any nationality aged 18 or over. To be eligible, illustrators must not have had a children’s picture book published with an ISBN before June 30, 2026, except for self-published works that were not released through a publishing house or editorial services company. When a project is created jointly by a writer and an illustrator, this publication restriction applies specifically to the illustrator.

Projects must be presented in Spanish or English and may consist of either an original story or an adaptation of a work that is free of copyright. The rights to submitted projects must also be free from commitments or claims involving third parties.

The competition accepts picture book projects in different formats, within the page limit established in the official rules. Participants are expected to submit a complete book project or the required combination of finished illustrations and storyboard material according to the competition guidelines.

Generative AI-assisted illustrations are not permitted, making the competition specifically focused on original work created by participating illustrators.

The winner will receive a professional publishing contract with Apila Ediciones for the selected project. The award includes a payment of €4,000, equivalent to 10% of the value of the book’s first print run, as well as professional publication, promotion and international distribution.

Where the rights to a project are shared between a writer and an illustrator, the 10% royalty allocation will be divided according to the agreement previously established between them.

The award represents more than a cash prize: its central purpose is to provide an emerging illustrator with a first professional publishing opportunity. Apila Ediciones notes that since the award was established, many previous winners have gone on to develop professional careers in illustration.

Participation is free of charge, and the deadline for submissions is February 14, 2027.

Applications, the complete 2027 rules and further information are available through the official Apila Ediciones website.

Deadline: February 14, 2027
Entry fee: Free
Eligibility: Illustrators worldwide, aged 18+
Languages: Spanish or English
Prize: €4,000 + professional publishing contract and international distribution
AI Policy: Generative AI-assisted illustrations are not permitted

Official Website: Apila’s First Printing Award 2027 – Rules and Registration