Are you an unpublished writer or illustrator of children’s books? Have you dreamed of a chance to have your writing or portfolios reviewed by a literary agent or book publisher?

Shoreline Arts Alliance is presenting the seventeenth annual New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards competition. This contest affords unpublished Connecticut authors and illustrators of children’s books the opportunity to have manuscripts and portfolios reviewed by literary agents and possibly by editors and art directors at some of the major publishing houses for children’s literature. The contest is open to residents of all 169 towns in Connecticut and is the only competition of this sort in the region. To date we have successfully seen books published by more than 30 of our former winners and/or finalists.

The New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards is a Connecticut statewide, juried competition opened to writers and illustrators who are not published or under contract for publication. Categories are: Picture Book (text only), Illustrated Picture Book (author and illustrator must be same person), Children’s Book Illustrator Portfolio, Middle Grade Novel and Young Adult/Teen Novel. All submitted works that meet the contest guidelines will be sent to literary agents for the first tier of judging. Works deemed outstanding will then be sent on to publishers and editors at major publishing houses for children’s literature. All submissions for this year’s contest must be postmarked by February 1, 2017. Call for Entry form and guidelines are available for downloaded at www.shorelinearts.org or can be sent to you by calling 203-453-3890. Additional information, FAQs, and other helpful hints may also be found at www.shorelinearts.org/tassywalden.cfm.