Thank you for registering for the Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize.

You will shortly receive an email with instructions on how to complete your submission. You have until 12pm Thursday 27th July 2024 to submit your entry.

You will need to submit

• Your artwork (see below for specifications)
• A completed illustrator questionnaire (we will email this to you).
• A media friendly photo of yourself (shoulders up and high res).

The information from the illustrator questionnaire and photo will be used if you are a finalist or winner.

Your artwork will need to fit the following specifications:

• A storyboard* for 11 spreads^ and one single page, plus the final artwork for 2 spreads. There is a compulsory element to the final spreads, one must be either spread 5 or spread 11, the other can be one of your choice.
• The dimensions of the book is 250 (h) x 250 (w) mm. This means a page size is 250 (h) x 250 (w) mm and a spread is 250 (h) x 500 (w).
• Artwork must be created in spreads, at 100% size, or up to 30% larger, allowing at least 5mm bleed
• Any medium may be used, but final artwork must be flat so it can be scanned.
• Illustrations with novelty elements or 3D structures will not be eligible.
• Artwork should be supplied digitally as one low res PDF. File size must be no larger than 100MB.
• Original artwork should be created in high res should your entry be successful and selected for print.
• Flattened text on a PDF is acceptable, but original high res files should place text on a separate layer. Text should be in black, either typed or handwritten.
• Please ensure the file is labelled with your full name as follows: firstname_lastname.pdf.
• If you are creating your art digitally, please be aware we print the entries for judging and so colour will be in a CMYK, not RGB.

*A storyboard is a visual narrative layout. It verifies that text, pacing and plot work within the picture book format. We will send you a template of a storyboard you can use once you have registered.

^A spread is made up of 2 facing pages. It might have lots of pictures on it, or one big illustration stretching across the two pages.

Good luck!