Apila’s First Printing Award 2027 is an international illustrated picture book competition organized by Apila Ediciones in collaboration with the Aragón School of Design and with the support of Zaragoza City Council. Created to help emerging illustrators publish their first professional picture book, the award has become a respected gateway into children’s publishing for creators who have not yet released a picture book through a traditional publisher.
The competition invites complete children’s picture book projects written in either Spanish or English. Entries may present original stories or adaptations of works that are free of copyright, giving participants flexibility while encouraging strong visual storytelling and high-quality illustration. Projects may use any format within the stated page limit.
The winning project is selected for professional publication by Apila Ediciones, providing an opportunity for an unpublished illustrator to enter the international children’s publishing market through a professional editorial process. Since its launch, the award has supported new illustration talent by transforming unpublished book projects into professionally published picture books.
Entry fee: Free to enter.
Eligibility
Open to illustrators worldwide aged 18 or over who had no children’s picture book published with an ISBN before June 30, 2026 (self-published books not issued through a publishing house or editorial services company are permitted); projects must be in Spanish or English, be original or adaptations of copyright-free works, and all rights must be free of third-party claims; generative AI-assisted illustrations are not permitted.
Prize
One winning project receives a professional publishing contract with Apila Ediciones, a payment of €4,000 equivalent to 10% of the value of the first print run, and publication with international distribution. If the project has separate writer and illustrator rights holders, the royalty share is divided according to their prior agreement, and the publishing contract grants Apila Ediciones publication and international rights management for twelve years.
