The Book Awards Contest is LIVE @ #SeasonsOfKidLit!

Hi, authors, illustrators & #kidlit creators of all kinds.

Lynne Marie and I are THRILLED to share the #SeasonsOfKidLit 2025 Book Awards Contest is officially LIVE! … We’re already getting entries, too (we're so excited)! 🎃

If you have a seasonal book published or have a holiday manuscript you'd love to celebrate, head to our official rules page at 2025 Book Awards | SeasonsOfKidlit for submission instructions! You can also find the official rules pasted below.

Please note: we've updated the rules for manuscript submission to make it easier for picture books and board book authors to enter!

We are truly looking forward to reading your books and manuscripts and of course celebrating and promoting seasonal #kidlit with you all! 🫶🖤

Sincerely,

Heather & Lynne Marie

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Contest Details & Categories 

Enter Now

Who can enter? 

• Publishers, Publicists, Agents, Authors & Illustrators.

• Note: there is no publication year requirement, however your book must be available for purchase online and in print to enter.

Categories

• Best Winter Books  

  • Examples, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Winter Solstice. 

• Best Spring Books

  • Examples Valentines, Passover, Holi, Easter.

• Best Summer Books

  • Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Summer Vacation, Back to School. 

• Best Fall Books

  • Halloween, Fall Festival, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Veteran’s Day.

• Best Silly/All Other Holidays Books

  • Polar Bear Plunge Day, Umbrella Day, Pi Day, Hamburger Day, Stick Out Your Tongue Day. 

• Best Make Up Your Own Holiday Books

  • You read that right! If your book could fit into any holiday that's not recognized, what would it be? Come up with a silly holiday and let us know.

• Promising Manuscripts

  • Submit a Picture Book or Board Book Manuscript, up to 1,000 words or the first five pages of a Chapter Book or Middle Grade Book for a WIP.​

What book formats are accepted

Board Books, Picture Books, Early Readers, Chapter Books, & MG.

• A PDF copy of your book will need to be supplied for entry.

How many awards will you hand out?

We will select five winners, including one Grand Prize winner, for each book format, in each category.

We'll also be handing out Honorable Mentions and "My Book is Loved" stickers as we see fit.

Please note that we reserve the right to withhold any prize in the event the judges cannot determine a winner.

​Can self-published authors apply? 

Yes! We will offer an additional prize to a self-published book in each category. As before, we reserve the right to withhold any prize in the event the judges cannot determine a winner.  

Cost: 

• Book Entry: Cost to enter. $32.00 per book, per category entered. 

  • Please note: we've added $2.00 to cover service fees. 

• Promising Manuscript Entry:  $17.00, per manuscript, per category entered.

  • Please note: we've added $2.00 to cover service fees.​

Why charge for entry?

This will help the co-hosts Heather Macht and Lynne Marie pay for the yearly fees and operating expenses for #SeasonsOfKidLit.com (i.e. domain, website, newsletters, graphics, etc.). 

Why is it so affordable?

We want this contest to be affordable so anyone and everyone who desires can enter it. That's also why we are requesting PDF copies only of your book. (I mean, seriously, have you seen the price of eggs lately?).

When will the winners be announced? 

To make the announcement extra sweet, the winners will be announced on or about February 14th, 2026 in a Valentine's Day Post! We'll also contact you via email with your certificates, badges, write up of why you won, and ranking/placement. 

What do I get if I win?

• A winner’s certificate and digital book seal for your book!

• A write-up of why you won (to post on social media sites, your personal webpage, etc).

• Note: Stickers can be purchased separately if desired. 

Any disclaimers?

Heather and Lynne Marie have a passion for books (and fairness!). We will not be eligible for entry (obviously) and will bring in 3rd parties for judging if we believe there is a conflict of interest. 

If we have a large number of entries, we will seek additional help. If you’re interested in assisting #SeasonsOfKidLit.com as a paid judge, email us via the Contact Page here, with the heading Contest Interest. Let us know your qualifications and why you think you’d be a great fit! Please note, we will only respond if we need assistance.  

Entry into the #SeasonsOfKidLit Book Awards does not guarantee your book will win. Awards, like every part of publishing, are subjective (but we know we'll love all of your books, and this will be a tough choice!). Books/manuscripts will be judged by the quality of writing and illustrations, no matter the holiday, religion, and theme. 

Any other questions? 

Email us via the Contact Page here. 

Ready to enter?

Head to 2025 Book Awards | SeasonsOfKidlit and follow the steps/fill out the submission form!