Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you submit.

Eligibility

  • Any artist ages 5–19 living in the United States may enter. There are no other eligibility restrictions — all skill levels, backgrounds, and art mediums are welcome.

  • Artists must be between 5 and 19 years of age at the time of submission. Your age at submission is the age that appears in your published book credit.

  • At this time submissions are open to U.S.-based artists only. We hope to expand internationally in future volumes.

  • Artists may submit as many illustrations as they like — for different chapters, different illustration types, or even multiple versions of the same brief. Each submission is reviewed independently.

  • Absolutely. Each child must submit their own form with a separate parental consent agreement, but there is no limit on the number of entries per household.

The Illustration Briefs

  • An illustration brief is a detailed creative prompt written for each chapter of the book. It includes a scene description, mood and atmosphere notes, character details, a must-include list, a must-avoid list, and a section called "Your Creative Freedom" that tells you where you can take the illustration in your own direction. Professional illustrators work from briefs like these every day.

  • You must follow the core requirements — the scene, the characters, the must-include elements, and the technical specifications. The "Your Creative Freedom" section tells you exactly where you have room to interpret and make the illustration your own. Judges will evaluate submissions against the brief.

  • All illustration types are open to artists of all ages. Full-Page is a large, immersive scene that fills an entire book page. Half-Page is a focused illustration spanning half a page. Corner Ornament is a small decorative image for the corners of a page, often featuring objects, nature details, or symbolic elements from the chapter.

  • The briefs are written to give you everything you need to create your illustration, even if you haven't read the book yet. That said, reading the chapter — or the whole book — will give you a richer sense of the characters and story, and that often shows in the art.

  • Yes. All illustration briefs are free to download with no account required.

Submitting Your Artwork

  • We accept JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, TIFF, and PDF files. Please do not submit HEIC or WEBP files.

  • Full-Page: 2700 × 3450 px at 300 DPI with 0.25" bleed. Half-Page: 2250 × 1425 px at 300 DPI. Corner Ornament: 1200 × 1200 px at 300 DPI, transparent PNG preferred. These specifications ensure your artwork prints beautifully in the finished hardcover book.

  • A process video is a short 10–15 second video showing your artwork being created. It doesn't need to be polished or edited. Upload it to YouTube (unlisted) or Google Drive (anyone with the link) and paste the URL in your submission form. The process video is required to verify that all artwork is original and created by the submitting artist. AI-generated submissions cannot be accepted.

  • Yes. Digital artwork is fully welcome alongside traditional media. Your art medium will be credited in the published book exactly as you describe it on your submission form.

  • No. Young Illustrator Classics celebrates the creativity and skill of young human artists. Submissions that are AI-generated or AI-assisted will be disqualified. Your process video helps us verify originality.

  • No. Submitting to Young Illustrator Classics is completely free.

Rights and Consent

  • The artist retains full copyright to their artwork. By submitting, you grant Young Illustrator Classics LLC a non-exclusive license to publish, reproduce, and display the illustration in the YIC book and related promotional materials. You are free to display, sell, or reproduce your own work in any other context.

  • Because our artists are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent for their child's artwork to be considered for publication. This is a standard legal requirement for any program working with minors.

  • You may request withdrawal of your submission before the submission window closes by contacting us directly. Once the review period begins, submissions cannot be withdrawn.

Publication and Credits

  • Every selected illustration includes a printed credit featuring the artist's first name, last initial, age, state, and art medium. For example: Emma T., age 12, Utah · Watercolor. This is a real, permanent publication credit in a professionally printed hardcover book.

  • Each chapter includes one full-page illustration, two half-page illustrations, and five corner ornaments — eight illustrations total per chapter. Judges select the strongest submission for each slot.

  • All submitters will be notified by email after the review period closes. We will contact the parent or guardian email address provided on the submission form.

  • Yes. Selected artists receive a discount code to purchase the finished hardcover book featuring their published illustration at a reduced price.

Prizes and Recognition

  • Full prize details will be announced shortly. All selected illustrators receive a publication credit and a discount to purchase the finished book. Additional prizes for top-tier selections will be published on the Prizes page before the submission window opens.

  • Absolutely. A permanent, printed credit in a professionally published hardcover book is a meaningful credential for any young artist — something they can include in portfolios, college applications, and artist bios for the rest of their lives.

  • The Principal Artist is the highest recognition in Young Illustrator Classics — awarded to a single artist per book whose body of work across submissions demonstrates exceptional skill, consistency, and creative vision. Full details will be published on the Prizes page.

After You Submit

  • You will receive a confirmation email at the parent or guardian email address provided on your submission form. The email will include your Illustration ID — save it for your records.

  • All submissions are reviewed after the submission window closes. Judges evaluate artwork against the illustration brief, considering composition, storytelling, technical execution, and creative interpretation.

  • Due to the volume of submissions we are not able to provide individual feedback. All submitters will be notified of results after the review period closes.

  • Yes. You may submit an updated version of your illustration before the submission window closes. Please note in the optional comments field that it is a resubmission for the same Illustration ID.

Homeschool & Educators

  • Yes — Young Illustrator Classics was designed with homeschool families in mind. The illustration briefs integrate literature, visual arts, and creative writing skills into a single project, and the submission process teaches young artists what it feels like to work from a professional creative brief. Many families use YIC briefs as a core component of their language arts or fine arts curriculum.

  • Absolutely. YIC briefs work beautifully as classroom projects — assign a chapter, let students illustrate it, and encourage families to submit independently. The briefs are free to download and require no special materials or preparations.

  • Yes. The briefs are designed as professional creative prompts and work beautifully as standalone art and literature projects regardless of whether students submit. They're free to download for any educational use.

  • Yes. You may submit an updated version of your illustration before the submission window closes. Please note in the optional comments field that it is a resubmission for the same Illustration ID.

Still have a question not answered here? Email us at info@youngillustratorclassics.com
and we'll get back to you within two business days.