🎃 The Pumpkin Patch Library — Early Reader Halloween Books | $450 Prize + Publication
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A New Early Reader Series & Contest from Cosmographia Books
Cosmographia Books is delighted to open submissions for The Pumpkin Patch Library — a new line of Halloween-themed early reader books for ages 5–7.
We’re seeking playful, cozy, and imaginative stories full of autumn wonder. Think pumpkins, costumes, friendly ghosts, silly witches, and trick-or-treat adventures — the kind of tales kids will want to read again and again.
✨ What We’re Seeking
- Age Range: Early readers, ages 5–7
- Length: 1,000–3,000 words
- Tone: Fun, whimsical, magical — a little spooky is fine, but nothing that will give nightmares
- Illustrations: These books should be heavily illustrated — full-color art on most pages, with words and images working hand-in-hand to tell the story
- Who Should Submit: We welcome author-illustrators and author/illustrator teams submitting completed projects. Authors without illustrators may still submit, but priority will be given to projects with art attached.
📖 Submission Guidelines
- Submit the full manuscript along with 3–5 finished sample illustrations (plus sketches or storyboards for the rest, if available)
- Author-illustrators and collaborative teams should submit together and indicate their roles
- Include a short author and illustrator bio (100 words max each), relevant experience, and platform links (website, social media, Substack, Etsy/Shop, Patreon, etc.)
- Format: Manuscript in 12 pt Times New Roman, double-spaced; upload as Word or PDF
- Multiple submissions are welcome, each submitted separately
- Simultaneous submissions are fine — just notify us if your work is accepted elsewhere
💰 Entry Fee & Prize
- Entry Fee: $15 per submission
- Prize: The winning submission will receive a $450 award and publication in The Pumpkin Patch Library series.
We charge a modest entry fee to help offset the cost of Submittable and the editorial time invested in carefully reviewing submissions.
📚 What Authors & Illustrators Receive
- A traditional small press contract with royalties
- Professional editing, design, and production
- Inclusion in The Pumpkin Patch Library series (with series branding on covers/spines)
- Promotion through Cosmographia Books’ newsletters, Substack, Patreon, WKOZ radio (our podcast), and seasonal campaigns
🗓 Timeline
- Deadline: November 30, 2025
- Reading period: December 2025 – January 2026
- Winner announced: February 2026
- Publication: Fall 2026