SCBWI-IL Masthead Contests

Masthead Design Brief: Choose Your Own Adventure

We invite SCBWI-IL members to create a masthead for SCBWI’s Spring Thaw event. Your illustration will help set the tone for this occasion!

Objective: Design an illustration that incorporates the theme "Choose Your Own Adventure". You can experiment with creative lettering within your artwork or leave space for us to add the text later.

Let your imagination run wild! Reflect on the mood, tone, color palette, and story you want to convey in your design.

The chosen masthead will be used in all promotions for Spring Thaw 2026, including various social media platforms. The illustrator of the winning design will receive credit wherever the masthead appears. The chosen illustrator must be an Illinois resident.

PRIZE: The winning illustrator will receive one in-person or online attendance at the 2026 Spring Thaw, which includes two online conversations (one live and one recorded), a pitch session, and post-event submission opportunities.

Entry must be uploaded to our DROPBOX by 11:59 pm on November 15, 2025.

All entries will be showcased in a newsletter gallery and will be voted on by fellow SCBWI Illinois members. Voting will occur from November 17 to November 21, 2025. The winner will be announced on November 24, 2025.

SUBMIT NOW

QUESTIONS? Email Stacey Previn