Graphic Novels & Comics

Looking for a literary contest open to graphic novels and comics? Comics occupy an unusual place in the contest world: competitions aimed at unpublished adult creators are relatively rare, and most of the available contests are geared toward students or young creators. That's not a coincidence: comics are a two-person art in many cases, with writer and artist often working as a team, which complicates the traditional single-author contest format.

Existing contests sometimes accept writers alone, sometimes writer-artist teams, and sometimes both. Check exactly what the rules ask for: a synopsis, complete pages, a set page count. Requirements vary considerably from one contest to another, so read carefully before submitting.

Deadlines change every year. Always confirm the details directly on each contest's official page.

For a comics creator looking to get noticed, festivals and conventions are often more effective than contests: they let you meet editors and publishers directly, portfolio in hand. The contests listed here are a useful complement, but they rarely replace the visibility a well-chosen festival can offer.