Shoreline Arts Alliance is presenting the 17th annual New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards competition. This contest affords unpublished Connecticut authors and illustrators of children’s books the opportunity to have manuscripts and portfolios reviewed by literary agents and possibly by editors and art directors at some of the major publishing houses for children’s literature. The contest is open to all Connecticut residents.

Categories are: Picture Book (text only), Illustrated Picture Book (author and illustrator must be same person), Children’s Book Illustrator Portfolio, Middle Grade Novel and Young Adult/Teen Novel. All submitted works that meet the contest guidelines will be sent to literary agents for the first tier of judging. Works deemed outstanding will then be sent on to major publishing houses for children’s literature. Submissions must be postmarked by Feb. 1, 2017. Call for Entry form and guidelines are available at www.shorelinearts.org or can be sent to you by calling (203) 453-3890.