Deadline: 4 January 2027
The 2nd Post Wave Prize for Illustration 2027 — Theme: "A Bridge to Another World"
Cash Prize / Exhibition / Graphic Design / January / Open to All / Trophy / Certificate94 views
Organizer: Post Wave Publishing UK (independent publisher based in London, UK subsidiary of Chinese publisher Post Wave); supported by the Anxi County Historical and Cultural Research Association, Fujian Province, China
Location: United Kingdom (organizer's base), open to illustrators worldwide
Deadline:
- Entries open: 1 October 2026
- Entry deadline: 4 January 2027, 17:30 (UK time)
- Winners announced: March 2027
- Winning work exhibited: Post Wave stand at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2027, Italy
Competition Category: A single category — children's book illustration. Responding to the annual theme "A Bridge to Another World," entrants submit:
- A full-colour cover for a fictional or non-fiction children's book
- One complete double-page spread in full colour, containing some accompanying text (judges assess the illustrations rather than the writing)
- Up to three additional supporting images
Eligibility: Open to emerging and aspiring illustrators aged 18 or over anywhere in the world who have not yet been commercially published or commissioned in children's books within the competition's stated period (the 2027 cycle, October 2026 to March 2027); self-published illustration projects may be eligible; having an agent alone does not disqualify an entrant; work previously shortlisted or awarded in the prize may not be resubmitted
Entry Fee: Free
Prizes/Awards:
- First prize (1 winner): £3,000 cash (approximately US$4,000); a fully funded creative trip to China (Anxi, Fujian and Shanghai; a two-week itinerary in the previous edition); the opportunity for their illustrations to be considered for publication by Post Wave (not an automatic publishing contract)
- Highly commended (several): a professional portfolio review with an Art Director from Post Wave's international publishing team
- Exhibition exposure: selected works may be displayed at Post Wave's stand at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2027 and at Post Wave illustration exhibitions
- The jury comprises international publishing teams from Post Wave's London, New York, Berlin and Shanghai offices, together with senior global publishing and illustration experts and award-winning illustrators
Core Introduction: Founded in 2025 by Post Wave Publishing UK, the Post Wave Prize for Illustration runs annually to discover and nurture new illustration talent and help them enter children's book publishing. The second edition opened for entries on 1 October 2026 under the theme "A Bridge to Another World," inviting visual stories for children that explore new places, perspectives, imagination or unfamiliar experiences. Work must be original; traditional and digital illustration techniques are both allowed, but AI-generated artwork is not, and all entries must be submitted digitally through the official website rather than by post. Judging focuses on originality, heart and strong storytelling through artwork. The inaugural 2026 edition was themed "Time for Tea" and was won by Grace LaPrade with "Island House Mouse"; her fully funded two-week China trip took place in August 2026, combining artistic research and a residency in Anxi, Fujian and Shanghai, including a visit to Post Wave's illustration exhibition at Suhe Haus on the Suzhou Creek waterfront. Post Wave Children's Books, the publisher's first children's imprint, was shortlisted for the 2026 British Book Awards Independent Publisher of the Year (Newcomer). Chinese media and partnership enquiries: zhouran@hinabook.com.
