We’re kicking off 2025 with our fifth annual Indi-500 (word) Challenge! Once again, we have TWO contests: one for writers and one for illustrators. This is an SCBWI Nebraska members-only race to the finish and restricted to premium members of the Nebraska region of SCBWI. Based on selected themes and prompts, contestants create a 500-word story or spot illustration in just 48 hours starting January 17.
Start your creative engines; it’s time for a contest! Race down to your writer’s desk, whip out your art supplies, and put aside your day job to spend 48 hours creating a new story or illustration that will win you fame and fortune—or at least a free critique from an industry professional.
The live kick-off event will take place on Zoom at 7:00 p.m. (Central Time) on January 17.
All completed stories and illustrations are due by 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on January 19.
Registration closes on January 16th at noon (Central Time)!
The selected winners will receive a free critique of a polished PB manuscript or the first chapter of a MG or YA novel from an editor or a free portfolio review from an art director. Runners-up will receive a free webinar up to a $20 value. The winning pieces even get a place of honor in our newsletter.
The live kick-off event will take place on January 17. All completed stories (maximum 500 words) and illustrations will be due by 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on January 19. Entries will be judged by three Regional Advisors or Illustration Coordinators from other regions.
To participate, you must be a member of the Nebraska region and register. Only those who register by January 16 will have access to the link for the kick-off event and have their entries considered for the contest.
The selected winners receive a free 15-minute Zoom critique from an industry professional. Who are these pillars of the kidlit publishing community? We’ll let you know soon! Both winning entries will be featured in our newsletter. Runners-up will win a free webinar of their choice (offered by any SCBWI region), up to a $20 value, to be used by year-end 2025.
To participate, you must be a premium Nebraska member and register above. Make sure your membership is up-to-date or join if you’re not yet a premium member. Only those who have registered will receive the link to access the kick-off event, the email address to submit entries, and have their entries considered for the contest. After registering, you will find your registration confirmation under My Events on your Member Home. The Zoom link for the event and address to submit will be found under the green Meeting Info button.
Attend the Zoom kick-off event at 7:00 p.m. (Central) on January 17 to get the assigned theme and two required word prompts. These will be drawn during the event and your story or illustration MUST include all three items or it will be disqualified. (If you can’t attend the kick-off event live but still want to participate in the contest, email Sheli Petersen, Webinar Coordinator, at scbwi.nebraska.webinars@gmail.com.
Spend the next 48 hours crafting a 500-word (max) story or an illustration for kids or teens. Be sure to proofread, revise as needed, check spelling and grammar, get a quality scan/photo, paint all your finishing touches, and generally make sure you’re submitting good quality work. Let’s impress our judges!
Get your submission in before 11:59 p.m. (Central) on January 19. The email address to send submissions can be found under My Events on your Member Home, under the green Meeting Info button.
HAVE FUN! Sure, it’s a contest, but it’s also a chance to spur some creative expression during the darkest month of the year. Have fun with it.
Submit your final piece as a Word doc or PDF using 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced with one-inch margins. Include a title at the top but NOT your name (entries will be judged anonymously). Put INDI-500_[firstname-lastname]_[title] in the filename. (Replace [firstname-lastname] with your actual name and [title] with your actual story title.) We will replace names with ID numbers before sending entries to our judges.
Create your artwork as a black-and-white vignette or half-page illustration in any media of your choice. Submit your final artwork as a PDF (no larger than 10 MB please). Name your PDF file: INDI-500_[firstname-lastname]. (Replace [firstname-lastname] with your actual name.) We will replace names with ID numbers before sending entries to our judges.
Good luck!