Golden Gate Fest Awards

At the Golden Gate Fest, we award two Golden Gate Writer’s Awards: one for a picture book manuscript and one for an MG or YA novel.

Faculty will choose candidates for the Writer’s Award from those writers who submit their work for a paid manuscript critique.

Winners receive:

• A mention on our website
• A complimentary registration for our next Golden Gate Conference (held bi-annually, even years)

Note: Once you have been given an award, you are not eligible to win an award again for three years.

The Golden Gate Portfolio Award is presented at the Golden Gate Fest. Portfolios will be viewed privately by a jury of art directors, editors, agents, and award-winning illustrators who will select this year’s recipient. 

Eligibility: 

• Open to all registered attendees who display a portfolio that meets the specified size and format requirements. 
• Both published and unpublished illustrators are eligible.
• Winners of the Golden Gate Portfolio Award are ineligible to win it again for the next two years to allow more members the opportunity to be recognized. They remain eligible for awards at other SCBWI events, including other California: San Francisco/South regional events.

Recognition:

• Complimentary registration to the next Golden Gate Conference. 
• A paid commission of $500 to create two illustrations for the next Golden Gate Conference program cover (for digital, print and related conference marketing materials). 
• Recognition on our region’s website as Featured Illustrator. 

People’s Choice Award

The People's Choice Award is presented at the Golden Gate Fest. During the Portfolio Showcase, attendees can view all the portfolios and vote for their favorite one. The People’s Choice Award is given to the portfolio that receives the most votes, unless it is the same as the Golden Gate Portfolio Award in which case it will be given to the person who received the second highest number of votes.

Eligibility: 

• Open to all registered attendees who display a portfolio that meets the specified size and format requirements. 
• Both published and unpublished illustrators are eligible.
• Winners of the People Choice Award, are ineligible to win it again for the next two years, to allow more members the opportunity to be recognized. They remain eligible for awards at other SCBWI events, including other California: San Francisco/South regional events.

Recognition:

• Recognition on our region’s website as Golden Gate People’s Choice Award winner. 
• A gift certificate to a local bookstore or art supply store of the winner’s choice.

Emerging Artist Award (NEW in 2025)

The Emerging Artist Award is designed to recognize and encourage illustrators who are not yet traditionally published, ensuring that new voices have an opportunity to be seen and celebrated. 

Eligibility: 

• Open to illustrators who have not yet been published in trade or educational books.
• Magazine credits (such as Cricket, Highlights, etc,) self-published work, classroom projects, or personal zines do not affect eligibility. 
• If an illustrator wins Golden Gate or People’s Choice, the Emerging Artist Award will go to the next eligible illustrator.
• Winners of the Emerging Artist Award are ineligible to win it again. 

Recognition:

• The winner will be featured on our region’s website as an Emerging Artist to Watch. 
• This award ensures that pre-published illustrators are celebrated alongside the Golden Gate Portfolio Award and the People's Choice Award, while published illustrators continue to have full eligibility for those categories.  
• One-year membership to SCBWI.