Puffin Graphics launches graphic novel competition

Puffin Graphics has launched a new Puffin Graphic Novel Competition. The winning project will receive a publishing contract with Puffin, with potential publication in 2027.

The competition is open to any graphic novel creators 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 five 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.

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.

The 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", the publisher said. Sales of graphic novels have risen overall significantly in the last few years.

Ruth Knowles, publishing director for Puffin Non-Fiction and Six-plus Fiction, said: "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."

Jonathan Douglas CBE, chief executive at the National Literacy Trust, said: “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, wellbeing 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 graphic novels for children, launched in April 2024. This year will see the first Puffin UK-originated Puffin Graphics title, Unfairies by Welsh comics-creator Huw Aaron, which will be published in August.

Further details on how and when to submit material can be found on the Penguin website, where creators can also sign up to a mailing list to receive more information.