Guidelines & Eligibility
CLICK HERE to download printable mail-in entry form.
CLICK HERE to enter online.
Who May Enter
Authors, illustrators, publishers and self-publishers of children's books, written in English and Spanish. Authors and illustrators are welcome to enter their books themselves.
Eligibility
Books that are published with a 2022-2024 copyright are eligible. The contest is for published books, but ISBN is not required. Submission of galley copies is permissible if finished copies are not yet available. Publishers are to select the category or categories in which the book(s) should be judged.
E-books are eligible for entry into our e-book categories, and may also be entered into our regular subject categories where they will be judged alongside print books. E-book categories are $55 when added to a regular category; otherwise the entry fee is the same as regular categories when entering an e-book category only. They may be submitted electronically in PDF format. When you enter an e-book category, you will have the option to upload your e-book after you pay online and receive a confirmation email.
How to Enter
There are two ways to enter the awards. Enter online here to pay by credit card. Or, print and fill out this entry form to pay by check. Please include your online registration receipt or completed entry form and check in the same package as the books -- unless you choose to have books shipped directly from a supplier. In that case, have them use "Moonbeam Awards" in the mailing address and we will know to look up your online entry and print out a copy when books arrive. To ensure you get your confirmation and are updated through the judging process, please add moonbeam[at]jgibookawards.com, notifier[at]jgibookawards.com, and amys[at]jenkinsgroupinc.com to your email address book and check your spam folder for any potentially missed communications.
Submission and Fees
Submitting a title into more than one category is acceptable, but an entry fee is charged for each category entered. Submit one copy of the title per category entered. Mail books to:
Moonbeam Awards 2024
Jenkins Group
1129 Woodmere Ave - Suite B
Traverse City, MI 49686
All books entered become the physical property of the Jenkins Group and will eventually be donated to local libraries and charities. E-book entries will be erased after the awards results are announced.
Deadline
All entries must be either made online or mailed with a check by the final entry deadline of August 19, 2024, and then there is a ten-day grace period for books to arrive at our offices. So, the 'drop-deadline' is August 29, 2024 and the beginning of judging.
Judging Process
Judging will be based on content, originality, design, and production quality, with emphasis on innovation and creativity. Our judging panel includes experts from the fields of editing, design, reviewing, bookselling and library. Three to five medalists per category will be named on or about September 28, 2024. Awards will be presented during the Traverse City Children's Book Festival in Traverse City, Michigan on November 9, 2024. All medalists and their guests are invited to attend the event.
Awards and Presentation
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each category. Each winning book receives a medal, a personalized certificate, and 20 sample seals. Extra award seals are available to all medalists in rolls of 250 and 1000, and hi-res versions of the medalist artwork is available for purchase for reproduction on book covers and promotional materials. Preview merchandise here.
Award Ceremony and Book Festival
The awards ceremony is held on the evening of the Traverse City Children's Book Festival, a family-oriented gathering of authors and book lovers, packed with entertaining activities meant to inspire kids' love of books. The Festival is held at the historic Traverse City Opera House and is tied in with Shop Your Community Day, a high-traffic shopping day.