Writing Contests

Lee & Low Books hosts two writing contests awarded to unpublished writers of color or Native/Indigenous writers.

New Voices Award

The New Voices Award is given biennially to an unpublished writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer for a picture book manuscript. This contest will reopen in April 2025. Please check back then for additional information about how to enter the contest.

New Voices Award

New Visions Award

The New Visions Award is given biennially to an unpublished writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer for a middle grade or young adult manuscript. Congratulations to Connie Chang and J.M. Blakemore, winners of the 2024 New Visions Award for their middle-grade manuscript Don’t Feed the Hungry Ghosts! This contest is currently closed but is scheduled to reopen in April 2026. Please check back then for additional information about how to enter the contest.

New Visions Award