Excellence in Graphic Literature Submissions

Pop Culture Classroom defines graphic literature as an art form that synthesizes text and sequential images to present a story or series of stories with lasting artistic, intellectual, literary, and cultural value.

This medium incorporates written and graphic elements that work in tandem to create an evocative and complex reading experience.

Submit Your Graphic Novel

Graphic novel artists, writers, creators, and publishers are invited to submit original, book-length graphic literature for consideration.

Complete submissions must be received no later than March 1st, 2024, to be accepted for consideration. 

Submissions are now closed for the 2024 Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards. Check back later this spring to learn this year’s Finalists and Winners.

  

Each title is judged by a category-specific rubric with an eye toward the value of its use in classrooms, libraries, and other educational settings. Please review the rubric for your desired category before submitting:  

Best in Children’s Graphic Literature 

Spotlighting compelling, educational graphic literature works for Pre-k to 4th Grade (0–10 years old). 

Best in Middle-Grade Graphic Literature 

Recognizing exemplary Graphic literature for Grades 5th to 8th (10–14 years old). 

Best in Young Adult Graphic Literature 

Honoring the best graphic literature for Grades 9th to 12th (14–18 years old). 

Best in Adult Graphic Literature 

Honoring the best graphic literature for anyone 18 years old and older. 

All submitted titles are considered for the Book of the Year and Mosaic Awards

Book of the Year

The Book of the Year winner is determined by the Jury chairs working with the EGL Advisory Board. The award is given to the graphic novel submission with the highest combined score.

Mosaic Award

The Mosaic winner is determined by the Jury chairs working with the EGL Advisory Board. The award celebrates stories about and from diverse communities, ethnicities, nationalities, faiths, and identities.

  1. Titles must have a publication and distribution date that falls between January 1 and December 31, 2023. 
  2. Complete submissions must be received no later than March 1st, 2024, to be accepted for consideration. 
  3. To be considered for an award, submissions must include:
     
    • A digital upload of the book:
      Use our secure, online form or email eglawards@popcultureclassroom.org to arrange an alternate method of sending a digital version of your title submission; and  
      • 6-10 physical copies mailed to Pop Culture Classroom’s offices:

        — 5 copies will be distributed to category jurors 

        — 1 copy will remain in PCC’s graphic novel library for use in local classrooms, PCC’s various educational workshops, and curriculum development. 

        — Any additional copies will be distributed to Book of the Year and Mosaic Award jurors (if nominated by category jurors), or they will be used as free giveaways for students and teachers in need in the Denver Metro Area. 

Please mail 6-10 physical copies of your title submission to:

Pop Culture Classroom
Attn: EGL Awards
1420 N. Ogden St. STE A1
Denver, CO 80218 

  1. Books must be submitted in English translations if published in another language. 
  1. Comic media published exclusively in a single-issue format will not be accepted. However, collected editions of material previously published in a single format qualify for consideration, as long as the collection’s publication date falls between January 1 and December 31 for that year’s award. 
  1. Titles must be submitted for consideration in one of two distinctions: Fiction or Non-Fiction. The submitter is responsible for choosing a distinction for each title submitted. 
  1. Titles must be submitted for consideration in one of four categories: Children (Pre-k to 4th Grade/ ages 0–10 ), Middle-Grade (Grades 5-8 / ages 10–14), Young Adult (Grades 9-12 / ages 14–18), or Adult (ages 18+ ). The submitter is responsible for choosing a category for each title submitted. Titles will be evaluated in part for their value and approachability to the chosen age category. Please see the judging criteria {Link to judging criteria} for more information. 
  1. Publishers are allowed to submit a maximum of TWO (2) books per category for each distinction. For example, a publisher may submit two Fiction and two Non-Fiction titles for each age category. 
  1. Every submitted title will be considered for Book of the Year and/or Mosaic Award nominations. 

You will receive an email confirming your submission and categories within 5 business days of completing your submission