The Center for Cartoon Studies and The Beat are proud to announce the twelfth annual Cartoonist Studio Prize

Each year the Cartoonist Studio Prize will be awarded to work that exemplifies excellence in cartooning. The creators of two exceptional comics for this year will be awarded $1,000 each. The winners will be selected by The Beat and The Schulz Library staff at The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS).

The two award categories for the 12th Cartoonist Studio Prize are Long-form Comic of the Year and Short-form Comic of the Year. 

This is a change from previous years, undertaken to reflect the shifting comics landscape and better spotlight the diversity and innovation of the small press and self-publishing scene. Both award categories are now open for print and web submissions, with eligibility determined by the length of the work.

Finalists for each category will be announced in April. The two winning comics will be announced shortly after. 

Submission Forms

• Eligible long-form comics must be written in (or translated into) English and published in print or online between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of 2023. Intended for sizable works produced over a lengthy period of time, such as graphic novels and webcomics published in long-term installments. Works over 100 pages are considered long-form. Creators or publishers may submit a comic 80 pages or above for consideration by clicking here.
• Eligible short-form comics must be written in (or translated into) English and published in print or online between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of 2023. Intended for small and mid-length works such as minicomics, graphic novellas, and short webcomics or comics essays. Works under 80 pages are considered short-form. Creators or publishers may submit a comic 100 pages or under for consideration by clicking here.

Works between 80-100 pages may be submitted to either category based on the creator’s own judgment of the work’s density and format. This page count also applies to serialized works, which may be submitted to either category.

Submissions in both categories must be received by January 30, 2024.

Currently enrolled CCS students, faculty, and staff are not eligible for the award, nor is anyone who has graduated from, worked at, or participated in a fellowship at CCS in the past five years. Creators may submit one—and no more than one—work in each of the two categories. The judging panel reserves the right to consider work that was not officially submitted.

Creators or publishers may submit a work for consideration by sending a physical copy of the book, along with a submission form, to:

The Center for Cartoon Studies
Cartoonist Studio Prize
PO Box 125
94 South Main Street (Fed Ex and UPS only)
White River Junction, Vermont 05001

Questions? studioprize@cartoonstudies.org

F.A.Q.

How do I decide which category to submit my work to?
If your work is between 80 and 100 pages, consider factors such as the density of text, amount of panels per page, and scope of the narrative to decide whether your work is best considered alongside short graphic novellas and minicomics, or alongside large books and lengthy serialized comics. 

How are winners determined?
With input from The Center for Cartoon Studies community, a panel of current CCS library staff and a guest judge(s) evaluate submitted works on multiple criteria, including strength of cartooning, writing, and overall craft, then collectively vote on finalists and winners.

When are the winners announced?
Shortlists of finalists for each category will be announced in April. The two winning comics will be announced shortly after. 

If you have any questions not answered here, email us at studioprize@cartoonstudies.org!

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