The Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers’ annual Writing for Children Competition is seeking entries by unpublished writers who are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents over the age of 18. The submission categories are picture book, middle grade, and young adult.

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

• maximum length for an entry is 1,500 words
• text only
• middle grade or young adult: submit first chapter plus other chapters/excerpts, up to 1,500 words
• picture books: submit full story if shorter than 1,500 words
• previously submitted entries can be re-submitted

Experienced and published CANSCAIP members will comprise the jury. Winners and finalists will be considered by Annick Press, Kids Can Press, and Scholastic Canada.

Non-members pay $40 for one entry, $70 for two, and $90 for three. For a CANSCAIP Friend, it’s $30 for one entry, $50 for two, and $75 for three.

The deadline for submissions is May 31.