Puffin Graphics Competition: Submission Window and Judging Panel Announcement
Puffin Graphics is excited to announce the opening date and the judging panel for their Inaugural Puffin Graphic Novel Competition for 2025.
The application window opens on 10 May 2025, and the closing date for the submission and receipt of all applications is 23.59 BST on 25 May 2025.
The judging panel for the entries will comprise of:
- Bobby Joseph, UK Comics Laureate.
- Bea Carvalho, Head of Books at Waterstones.
- Jodie Hodges, illustrated children's books agent at United Agents.
- Lucy Starbuck Braidley, Senior Programme Manager at National Literacy Trust;
- Naomi Colthurst, Editorial Director at Penguin Random House Children’s.
Announced earlier this year, the competition is open to any comics creator in the UK or Ireland who identifies as coming from an under-represented background or community. Graphic novel story pitches and artwork aimed at children and young people aged 5 and older are welcome for submission, and entries can be submitted by an author, illustrator or
author-illustrator.
The initiative is open to any under-represented creator, including those who may have already found a route to publication or already have agent representation. The winning project will then receive a publishing contract with Puffin, with a view to potential publication in 2027.
To enter, creators will be invited to submit the following:
- A package of one page of finished artwork in either colour or black and white; three pages of rough artwork (which must include text/speech); and a detailed plot outline
- Or a package of five pages of script; and a detailed plot outline
Further details on how and when to submit material can be found via this website link: www.penguin.co.uk/GraphicNovelCompetition.
"In 2024, it was a huge highlight to launch Puffin Graphics and to bring the joy of the graphic novel reading experience to young readers, in this booming area of the market. As we celebrate our 85th birthday at Puffin in 2025, this inclusive competition showcases our continued commitment to find and publish new creators alongside our list of evergreen and beloved characters, books and authors. Creating a love of reading for pleasure is more important than ever, and the power of a graphic novel to spark imaginations is undeniable. We are excited to see these submissions and meet their new creators."
Puffin’s mission is to publish a book for every child, and within this, Puffin Graphics aims to create and publish immersive, escapist, inclusive and most importantly fun stories that celebrate the joy of reading through art. This Puffin Graphics initiative aims to seek out and nurture graphic novel creators from under-represented communities, to ensure every child can see themselves reflected in this growing and exciting part of the market.
"With our recent research revealing that children and young people’s enjoyment of reading is at an all-time low, initiatives like the Puffin Graphic Novel Competition are essential. To help more children discover a love of reading - which can boost their confidence, well being and success at school - they must be given more opportunities to access and choose from a diverse range of reading materials which they can see themselves in and are relatable to their lives. Graphic novels can engage children with reading in a completely unique way and this competition will no doubt help to discover new, high-quality and inspiring stories from creators from all communities."
Puffin Graphics, a list of best-in-class graphic novels for children, launched in April 2024, with a range of titles including the brilliantly anarchic and global hit series Max Meow, which joined Puffin’s previously published graphic novels, including Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson, and White Bird by R.J. Palacio, as well as much-loved adaptations of series such as Percy Jackson and the Olympians. 2025 will see the first Puffin UK-originated Puffin Graphics title Unfairies by Welsh comics-creator Huw Aaron, which will be published in August.
