Macmillan Prize

Children's Book Illustrations.



Fridtjof olsen won the 2009
Macmillan prize with THE OWL WHO CHASED THE MOON

Emma Hopkin, from Macmillan Children's Books, was one of the judges. She said: "We were impressed by the originality of Fridtjof's illustration.

"His accomplished drawing, confident use of colour and sense of composition is striking. He is able to translate an extraordinary imagination into compelling images, full of atmosphere and interest, which brilliantly convey the story he has to tell."

Summery

Now in it's 20th year The Macmillan Prize is a unique opportunity to design a complete book for a competition. It is a highly prestigious competition that is too good an opportunity to miss for that all important exposure if you are one of the lucky 25 commended entries (of which 3 receive top prizes) exhibited at their show.

A good Review by Martin Salisbury can be found at: http://www.booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/153/childrens-books/articles/other-articles/the-macmillan-prize

ENTRY DETAILS FAQs

Submissions accepted near the end of April.
This was last years information www.panmacmillan.com (link below):

When does the competition usually take place?

Macmillan Children's Books (MCB) normally accepts entries near the end of April. For 2009, submissions will be accepted from Monday 20th April to Friday 24th April.

How do I enter?

An information leaflet, that includes an entry form, are sent to Universities and Colleges in January. Entry forms can be photocopied but must be signed by the student's tutor and submitted along with their artwork. Entry forms can also be obtained by emailing childrens@macmillan.co.uk with details of the student's full mailing address.

How can I submit my entry?

It is encouraged that tutors collect student entries and send them in one delivery to MCB by courier.
Students are also welcome to hand deliver their entries from Mon-Fri from 9.30am-5.30pm, to 20 New Wharf Road, London, N1 9RR.

When is the winner chosen?

The winners & highly commended will be chosen & notified by the week ending 1 May 2009.

Who chooses the winner?

The winners and highly commended are chosen by a judging panel that will include 2-3 leading children's book illustrators, an experienced children's bookseller, the Managing Director of MCB, Emma Hopkin and the Art Director, Anne Glenn.

How will the winners be notified?

Winners will be notified by phone by a representative from MCB by the week ending 1st May 2008. Those that have been highly commended will receive letters by email/by post, advising them of their success. Chosen pieces from the winners and highly commended will be exhibited for one week and each student will receive an invitation to the Private view/Awards ceremony.

How will I know if I have not been successful?

An email/letter will be sent out during the 2nd week of May to all entrants that have not been chosen as a winner/highly commended, advising them that they have not been successful. All entrants and their tutors will also receive an invitation to attend the general exhibition.

When will the winners' and highly commended work be exhibited?

In 2009, the general exhibition will take place from Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th May.

When will the entries be returned?

If the student is unsuccessful the entries will be returned during the 2nd week of May by securer c/o the University or College. A cheque for approx £3.20 needs to be included by each student with their entry to cover the cost of delivery. Students are also welcome to collect their work in person from the Macmillan office once they have received a letter notifying them that they have not been successful. Usually this will be from the 2nd week until the end of May. If the students work has been chosen to be exhibited their work will be returned by securer or will be available for collection, as nominated on their entry, the week after the exhibition ends.

What if I fail to collect my entry?

If a student has nominated to collect their entry from the Macmillan office and fails to do so by the end of May, their work will be destroyed.

THE BRIEF FAQs
(A full description of the brief is included on the information leaflet)

Do we accept reproductions of the work or are only originals acceptable?

We do accept reproductions that are of a high quality but in most cases our judges prefer to see the original artwork where possible. Please make sure if you plan to send in reproductions that they do not detract from the quality of the artwork.

What age should the picture books be targeted to?

Up to 5 years of age. We suggest making yourselves familiar with current titles on the market but will be looking for any form of plagiarism.