Black Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest 2025

Sponsored by Free Spirit Publishing (an imprint of Teacher Created Materials) and Strive Publishing, the Black Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest is open to Black authors who at the time of entry are at least 18 years of age and residing anywhere in the United States, and who have not previously published work for children. The contest’s mission is to elevate authentic, culturally relevant children’s stories written by and about Black people. Every entry is considered for publication and three cash prizes will be awarded.

Submissions should meet these qualifications:

• Must be original children’s books for ages 0–4 (50–125 words) or for ages 4–8 (300–800 words)
• Must feature authentic, realistic Black characters and culture
• Must focus on one or more of the following topics: character development, self-esteem, identity, diversity, getting along with others, engaging with family and community, or other topics related to positive childhood development

Eligible writers are Black residents of the United States, 18 years of age or older, who have not previously published work for children. Employees of Free Spirit Publishing, Teacher Created Materials, and Strive Publishing are not eligible. Previous contest winners are not eligible.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

ProWritingAid
We are keen to encourage quality, so suggest writers to check their stories before submitting using Prowritingaid. They have free and paid versions and are the best writing software we know to help improve grammar, readability and check for repetition, ‘sticky’ sentences and suggest alternatives. Visit their website and try ProWritingAid for free.