The Kent District Library Teen Graphic Novel Contest is open to teens ages 11-17 at the time of submission who reside in or attend school in Kent County, MI. The contest is open from July 1 – August 31.
Submission deadline: August 31, 2026
Contest Guidelines
- Create your own comic book/graphic novel with a maximum length of 8 pages, including the cover page.
- Use letter-size paper (8.5 x 11”) with black-and-white drawings on single-sided pages only.
- Each submission must be the creative and original work of the submitting author/illustrator. Any submissions with more than one author/illustrator will be considered a single entry and will share any prizes possibly awarded.
- The contest is limited to amateur teen authors/illustrators only.
- Computer generated images are acceptable as long as they are your original work (no clip art or AI generated images).
- Complete the Graphic Novel Contest Entry Form on Submittable (link is provided while contest is open) and upload a PDF of your work. Entries turned in without a complete form will be ineligible. Entries with more than one author/illustrator should only be submitted once (the form contains space for multiple authors).
- When submitting a digital scan, ensure it is an accurate reflection of the original. If your work is selected for publishing, what you submit will be printed in the quality it was received.
- Entries must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on August 31st.
- There is a limit of one entry per contestant(s).
- Entries will be judged using a rubric scale covering the following: overall story, originality, creativity and illustration by a panel of library staff and comic industry professionals. Read the detailed judging criteria and rubric used for this contest.
- A winner will be awarded alongside four honorable mentions. The winning artist(s) will receive $100 and the honorable mention artist(s) will receive $50 in the form of Meijer Gift Cards. The top 10 finalists will be published together in an anthology.
- Winners will be announced online in October, and prizes will be awarded during an In-Person Award Ceremony on the third Saturday in November at the KDL Cascade Township Branch.