Categories & Formatting Entries
Categories & Formatting Entries
Embedded Files
2026 Contest Volunteers Needed
CATEGORIES FOR 2026
This year we have divided the contest into
two divisions with two category directors.
THE LINKS WILL OPEN ON
JUNE 1st EVERY YEAR
2026 PUBLISHED
FICTION CATEGORIES
Director of Published Categories:
Alisha Promis
Picture Books (approximate ages 2-10+) & Board Books (ages 0–4)
Readers & Chapter Books (approximate ages 6–10)
Middle Grade Fiction Novels (approximate ages 9–14)
Young Adult Fiction Novels (approximate ages 12-18+)
PPB: PUBLISHED PICTURE BOOKS & BOARD BOOKS
PRCB: PUBLISHED READERS & CHAPTER BOOKS
PMG: PUBLISHED MIDDLE GRADE FICTION
PYA: PUBLISHED YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Note for Judges:
For PPB, judges will read the full manuscript of <1000 words.
For all other categories, judges will read the first 10 pages and the last 10 pages and give a total score and give overall comments. (This is a change from last year.)
THE LINK WILL OPEN ON JUNE 1st EVERY YEAR
2026 UNPUBLISHED
FICTION CATEGORIES
Director of Unpublished Categories:
Patricia Tiffany Morris
Picture Books (approximate ages 2-10+) & Board Books (ages 0–4)
Readers & Chapter Books (approximate ages 6–10)
Middle Grade Fiction Novels (approximate ages 9–14)
Young Adult Fiction Novels (approximate ages 12-18+)
UPB: UNPUBLISHED PICTURE BOOKS & BOARD BOOKS
URCB: UNPUBLISHED READERS & CHAPTER BOOKS
UMG: UNPUBLISHED MIDDLE GRADE FICTION
UYA: UNPUBLISHED YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Note for Judges:
For PPB, judges will read the full manuscript of <1000 words.
For all other categories, judges will read the first 10 pages and the synopsis and give a total score and give overall comments. (This is a change from last year.)
CATEGORY SPECIFIC FORMATTING RULES
APPLIES TO ALL PUBLISHED ENTRIES:
Submit only books published with copyright dates of 2024-2026. This is different than last year.
We hope to create short video tutorials on our YouTube channel, but you will be responsible for learning how to create an optimized PDF file.
You may need to research formatting specifics on Google.
Choose “compress” when you save your file on your computer to help us save space on our Google Drive. If the file is too large we cannot open it or share it with the judges.
Names will be on the cover and interior title page. That is just fine. But don't put your name on the file name itself please.
For PPB, judges will read your entire manuscript of <1000 words and give one total score of 4 to 10 and will give overall comments on your work. This is different than last year.
For all other published categories, judges will read the first 10 pages and the last 10 pages of your manuscript and give one total score from 4 to 10 and will give overall comments on your work based on those pages. This is different than last year.
All scores are automatically totaled and then the 3 judge's scores will be averaged with the top scores moving on to the finals. This is similar to the 2024 contest.
Scroll to find the specifics for your category.
PPB - Published Picture Books & Board Books
PB: Ages 0-10+ (fewer than 1000 words)
BB: Ages 0-4 (fewer than 400 words)
(Copyright of 2024 – 2026 only)
Submit a PDF of the entire compressed published book including the cover:
It’s fine to have your name on your published submission or on any PDF page.
If you have a co-author, you must include their name on the entry form.
Formatting:
Name your file: [Category Code]_[Title] Example: PPB_Alice in Wonderland
When naming your file, don’t leave off words like “A” or “The” from your title.
Alternate poetry format: please note in the file name with the single word POETRY added at the end of the file name. Example: PPB_Alice in Wonderland_POETRY
Reduce your PDF file size before uploading. Make sure it is around 10 MB total file size.
ALSO READ THE RULES ABOVE THAT APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY.
PRCB - Published Readers & Chapter Books
Ages 6-10+
(Copyright of 2024 – 2026 only)
Submit a PDF of the entire compressed published book including the cover:
It’s fine to have your name on your published submission or on any PDF page.
If you have a co-author, you must include their name on the entry form.
Formatting:
Name your file: [Category Code]_[Title] Example: PRCB_Alice in Wonderland
When naming your file, don’t leave off words like “A” or “The” from your title.
Alternate poetry format: please note in the file name with the single word POETRY added at the end of the file name. Example: PRCB_Alice in Wonderland_POETRY
Reduce your PDF file size before uploading. Make sure it is around 10 MB total file size.
ALSO READ THE RULES ABOVE THAT APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY.
PMG-Published Middle Grade Fiction
Ages 9-14
(Copyright of 2024 – 2026 only)
Submit a PDF of the entire compressed published book including the cover:
It’s fine to have your name on your published submission or on any PDF page.
If you have a co-author, you must include their name on the entry form.
Formatting:
Name your file: [Category Code]_[Title] Example: PMG_Alice in Wonderland
When naming your file, don’t leave off words like “A” or “The” from your title.
Alternate poetry format: please note in the file name with the single word POETRY added at the end of the file name. Example: PMG_Alice in Wonderland_POETRY
Reduce your PDF file size before uploading. Make sure it is around 10 MB total file size.
ALSO READ THE RULES ABOVE THAT APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY.
PYA-Published Young Adult Fiction
Ages 12-18+
(Copyright of 2024 – 2026 only)
Submit a PDF of the entire compressed published book including the cover:
It’s fine to have your name on your published submission or on any PDF page.
If you have a co-author, you must include their name on the entry form.
Formatting:
Name your file: [Category Code]_[Title] Example: PYA_Alice in Wonderland
When naming your file, don’t leave off words like “A” or “The” from your title.
Alternate poetry format: please note in the file name with the single word POETRY added at the end of the file name. Example: PYA_Alice in Wonderland_POETRY
Reduce your PDF file size. Make sure it is around 10 MB total file size.
ALSO READ THE RULES ABOVE THAT APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY.
***
APPLIES TO ALL UNPUBLISHED ENTRIES:
We hope to create short video tutorials on our YouTube channel, but you will be responsible for learning how to format a Word Document with a header, page numbers and other formatting required.
You may not have your name, or your co-author's name on any part of your Word Document or the file name. Please follow all intructions.
You may need to research formatting specifics on Google.
Submit only what is asked for in the specific category you enter. Your entry may be disquailfied from awards if you do not follow the submission rules.
For UPB, judges will read your entire picture book or board book manuscript of <1000 words and give individual scores from 5 to 10 for each for each of 10 questions. They will provide appropriate comments for each question.
For all other unpublished categories, judges will read the synopsis and the first 10 pages of your manuscript and will give individual scores from 5 to 10 for each of 10 questions. They will provide appropriate comments for each question based on the synopsis and the first 10 pages submitted.
All scores are automatically totaled and then the 3 judge's scores will be averaged with the top scores moving on to the finals. This is similar to the 2024 contest.
Scroll to find the specifics for your category.
UPB-Unpublished Picture Books & Board Books
PB: Ages 0-10+ (fewer than 1000 words)
BB: Ages 0-4 (fewer than 400 words)
Submit a Word Document as Follows:
Submit the entire manuscript as a Word document only.
Do not put your name (or co-author's name,) on any part of the document or file name.
Do not include any illustrations or cover art in your submission.
If you have a co-author, you must include their name on the entry form.
Formatting:
Times New Roman 12-pt font, double-spaced, with 1” margins on all sides.
Paragraph indents .05” from the left margin. Do not use tab key.
Add 2 double-spaced lines between page spreads or pages.
Limited illustration notes are optional, format as you wish. Use brackets around page numbers or spreads. Example: [Page 2] or [Spread 2]
Those using poetry for picture books or board books may format as the poetry demands.
Insert a header. Include your [Category Code]_[Title]_[Estimated Word Count] of your completed manuscript. Example: UPB_Alice in Wonderland_#1,000 at the left margin and insert the page # at the right margin. Do not add your name on any page.
Name your file: [Category Code]_[Title] Example: UPB_Alice in Wonderland
When naming your file, don’t leave off words like “A” or “The” from your title.
Alternate poetry format: please note in the file name with the single word POETRY added at the end of the file name. Example: UPB_Alice in Wonderland_POETRY
Add 4 double-spaced lines (8 single spaces) before typing the book title.
Start your manuscript 1 double space below the title.
ALSO READ THE RULES ABOVE THAT APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY.
URCB-Unpublished Readers & Chapter Books
Ages 6-10 (fewer than 25,000 words)
Submit a Word Document as Follows:
Submit the 1 page single-spaced synopsis and the first 10 pages of the double-spaced manuscript in one Word document for a total of 11 pages.
Do not put your name (or co-author's name,) on any part of the document or file name.
Do not include any illustrations or cover art in your submission.
If you have a co-author, you must include their name on the entry form.
Formatting:
Times New Roman 12-point font with 1” margins on all sides.
Paragraph indents .05” from the left margin. Do not use tab key.
Insert a header. Include your [Category Code]_[Title]_[Estimated Word Count] of your completed manuscript. Example: URCB_Alice in Wonderland_#25,000 at the left margin and insert the page # at the right margin. Do not add your name on any page.
Name your file: [Category Code]_[Title] Example: URCB_Alice in Wonderland
When naming your file, don’t leave off words like “A” or “The” from your title.
Alternate poetry format: please note in the file name with the single word POETRY added at the end of the file name. Example: URCB_Alice in Wonderland_POETRY
On page 1:
Include a single-spaced 200 word or less synopsis. Add a page break.
Starting on page 2:
Add 4 double-spaced lines (8 single spaces) before typing the chapter title.
Start chapter 1 or prologue 1 double space below chapter title.
Each new chapter must begin on a separate page 4 double-spaced lines below the header.
To indicate a scene break, insert three asterisks (***) one double-space down from the last line of the previous scene. Begin the new scene one double-space down from asterisks.
DO NOT SEND MORE THAN 11 PAGES.
ALSO READ THE RULES ABOVE THAT APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY.
UMG-Unpublished Middle Grade Fiction
Ages 9-14 (25,000 to 60,000 words)
Submit a Word Document as Follows:
Submit the 1 page single-spaced synopsis and the first 10 pages of the double-spaced manuscript in one Word document for a total of 11 pages.
Do not put your name (or co-author's name,) on any part of the document or file name.
Do not include any illustrations or cover art in your submission.
If you have a co-author, you must include their name on the entry form.
Formatting:
Times New Roman 12-point font with 1” margins on all sides.
Paragraph indents .05” from the left margin. Do not use tab key.
Insert a header. Include your [Category Code]_[Title]_[Estimated Word Count] of your completed manuscript. Example: UMG_Alice in Wonderland_#60,000 at the left margin and insert the page # at the right margin. Do not add your name on any page.
Name your file: [Category Code]_[Title] Example: UMG_Alice in Wonderland
When naming your file, don’t leave off words like “A” or “The” from your title.
Alternate poetry format: please note in the file name with the single word POETRY added at the end of the file name. Example: URCB_Alice in Wonderland_POETRY
On page 1:
Include a single-spaced 200 word or less synopsis. Add a page break.
Starting on page 2:
Add 4 double-spaced lines (8 single spaces) before typing the chapter title.
Start chapter 1 or prologue 1 double space below chapter title.
Each new chapter must begin on a separate page 4 double-spaced lines below the header.
To indicate a scene break, insert three asterisks (***) one double-space down from the last line of the previous scene. Begin the new scene one double-space down from asterisks.
DO NOT SEND MORE THAN 11 PAGES.
ALSO READ THE RULES ABOVE THAT APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY.
UYA-Unpublished Young Adult Fiction
Ages 12-18+ (60,000+ words)
Submit a Word Document as Follows:
Submit the 1 page single-spaced synopsis and the first 10 pages of the double-spaced manuscript in one Word document for a total of 11 pages.
Do not put your name (or co-author's name,) on any part of the document or file name.
Do not include any illustrations or cover art in your submission.
If you have a co-author, you must include their name on the entry form.
Formatting:
Times New Roman 12-point font with 1” margins on all sides.
Paragraph indents .05” from the left margin. Do not use tab key.
Insert a header. Include your [Category Code]_[Title]_[Estimated Word Count] of your completed manuscript. Example: UYA_Alice in Wonderland_#60,000 at the left margin and insert the page # at the right margin. Do not add your name on any page.
Name your file: [Category Code]_[Title] Example: UYA_Alice in Wonderland
When naming your file, don’t leave off words like “A” or “The” from your title.
Alternate poetry format: please note in the file name with the single word POETRY added at the end of the file name. Example: URCB_Alice in Wonderland_POETRY
On page 1:
Include a single-spaced 200 word or less synopsis. Add a page break.
Starting on page 2:
Add 4 double-spaced lines (8 single spaces) before typing the chapter title.
Start chapter 1 or prologue 1 double space below chapter title.
Each new chapter must begin on a separate page 4 double-spaced lines below the header.
To indicate a scene break, insert three asterisks (***) one double-space down from the last line of the previous scene. Begin the new scene one double-space down from asterisks.
DO NOT SEND MORE THAN 11 PAGES.
ALSO READ THE RULES ABOVE THAT APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY.
FINALS ROUND
We will host a finals round for those advancing in each of eight categories.
If you are entering, please consider this our request to volunteer as a judge in a category you have not entered.
We will need many judges.
MORE DETAILS COMING LATER.
CHECK OUT THE FORMATTING TAB UNDER THE SUBMISSIONS PAGE
FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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