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The Gittle List 2014: Top 10 Children’s Picture Books

Published by Aviva Gittle on March 4, 2014

This article was archived. Submission rules change from year to year. Please go to the home page and select Contests, Gittle List from the menu. Thank you!

Spread the word! Use #thegittlelist

Will it be your book this year?

Deadline Midnight, November 30, 2014

Print submissions must be postmarked 11/30/14 and received by December 5, 2014.

The Gittle List 2013 was a great success! The Gittle List 2014 submissions process will end earlier so the Top 10 can be marketed as a holiday gift giving guide. See What Do I Win? at the end of this post to learn the benefits of making it on The Gittle List.

Last year, I received nearly 60 digital and print books. This year, my goal is to receive at least 150 submissions. So spread the word!

Again this year there is no entry fee. However, I ask that you at least like the Aviva Gittle Publishing Facebook page and sign up for the Aviva Gittle Newsletter. Following me on Twitter, @AvivaGittle is greatly appreciated. Really show me some love and post a link to this page on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and any other social media you can think of!

Deadline (emailed or postmarked) is midnight, PST (US) November 30, 2014.

Please read the guidelines carefully. 99% of your questions will be answered here. For the other 1%, send an email to GittleSubmissions@gmail.com.

  1. Children’s picture books for children age 10 and under.
  2. The eBook  or print book must be published and available for purchase.
  3. The book must be self-published either by you or through a publishing company you own. Meaning you wrote it, you own the rights, paid for its creation and publication and do not receive royalties from a publishing company. (Self-publishing services like CreateSpace, Book Baby, etc. are fine.)
  4. Not more than 1600 words. (Just the story; don’t include front / back matter in the word count.)
  5. Minimum of 50 words. It must be a story supported by illustrations (no coloring books, unless it is included in addition to the story book).
  6. At least 10 interior illustrations.
  7. One story; not part of a compilation.
  8. One entry per author or author team. (If an artist has illustrated multiple books written by authors other than themselves, that is acceptable.)
  9. It can be published in any year (it does not have to have a publishing date in 2014)
  10. Digital or print books accepted. (mobi, epub, PDF. A PDF proof copy of the print book is fine.)  If the digital file is greater than 5MB, please use a service such as DropBox.com or Box.com to send it to GittleSubmissions@gmail.com. However, it is preferred that you compress or reduce the file size. Lower resolution PDFs are acceptable.
  11. Mail print books only if you do not have a digital copy of the book. IMPORTANT: Be sure to email GittleSubmissions so I know the book is on its way. See below for information to include in the email. PRINT BOOKS WILL NOT BE RETURNED!
  12. Print submissions must be postmarked by November 30, 2014 and received by December 5, 2015. Digital submissions must be received by midnight PST (US) November 30, 2014.

Whether submitting a digital or print book, be sure to send an email with the subject “Gittle List 2014” to GittleSubmissions@gmail.com. Include the following information.

  1. Title of book
  2. # of words (don’t include front / back matter in word count)
  3. # of interior illustrations
  4. Author’s name
  5. Optionally, name of your personal publishing company.
  6. Illustrator’s name
  7. Link to buy book (important! proves the book is published)
  8. Author’s email address
  9. Optionally, illustrator’s email address
  10. Link to author’s website or bio page (such as Amazon’s author page)
  11. Optionally, link to illustrator’s website or bio page

Contact Information:

Email: GittleSubmissions@gmail.com

Mail:

Aviva Gittle Publishing
3245 University Avenue #1133
San Diego, CA 92104

Spread the word about The Gittle List 2014!

What Do I Win?

  • A 5-star review on Amazon and Goodreads.
  • An exclusive interview on www.GoToGittle.com.
  • A link to purchase your book from www.GoToGittle.com.
  • Announcements on social media and press releases.
  • A  digital “The Gittle List Top 10” seal to use in your marketing and books.


Published inArchiveContestGittle ListIndie AuthorsTop 10 Self-Pubbed Children's Book

35 Comments

  1. Dave Freeman Dave Freeman

    Aviva,
    I just found your page through a post on LinkedIn. In fact, I had just left you a comment on another subject earlier today.

    I’m looking forward to publishing volumes 2-12 of our Mushroom Tales series, in the coming months (as fast as my artistic wife, Connie can create the illustrations for our character building lessons. We will select the best of the bunch for submittal. I think it may be our next book, called “Bullies – Where do they come from and how long will they stay?”

    By way of introduction, instead of Illustrator and Author, we say “Mushrooms by Connie Robayo and Tales by me”.

    Best of luck and we’ll keep in touch.

    Dave Freeman

    # March 22, 2014 Reply
    • avivagittle avivagittle

      Glad you plan to participate, Barbara! Please spread the word…my goal this year is 150 submissions.

      # April 3, 2014 Reply
  3. Kristin Anderson Kristin Anderson

    Hi,
    My children’s book exceeds the 1500 word limit. Is there any other way I can promote by book with you?

    # July 17, 2014 Reply
    • avivagittle avivagittle

      Hi, Kristin: Is it a picture book? If so, how many illustrations? How many words is it (excluding font / back matter)?

      # July 17, 2014 Reply
  5. HL Carpenter HL Carpenter

    In red above, it says: Deadline (emailed or postmarked) is midnight, PST (US) October 15, 2014.

    Rule 11 says: Print submissions must be postmarked by September 15, 2014. Digital submissions must be received by midnight PST (US) September 15, 2014.

    Can you clarify?

    # August 6, 2014 Reply
    • Aviva Gittle Aviva Gittle

      Hi, Augustine:

      Thanks for your question!

      I would say as long as it still has the look and feel of a children’s picture book, I would accept it.

      -Aviva

      # August 7, 2014 Reply
  8. Vasanthi Vasanthi

    It’s a great opportunity for self published authors to participate in this contest. I am submitting my book this year. Wishing you the best in achieving your goal. Cheers!

    # August 8, 2014 Reply
    • Aviva Gittle Aviva Gittle

      Glad you plan to submit your book, Vasanthi. I’m trying to get 150 submissions this year, so please tweet, post, etc. about The Gittle List!

      # August 9, 2014 Reply
  10. Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod

    Just sent you mine and I’m excited about seeing what great stuff everybody comes up with this year. I really think that self-published kids’ books are getting better and better.
    (even though this contest isn’t exclusive to self-publishing writers)
    Thanks for hosting!
    Jennifer
    Write Kids’ Books

    # August 11, 2014 Reply
    • Aviva Gittle Aviva Gittle

      We’re getting some great stories so far. I’ve got about 15 submissions. Just got to get the word out! I appreciate your helping to spread the word. If it helps, it’s open to anyone in the world!

      # August 11, 2014 Reply
  13. Rhonda Paglia Rhonda Paglia

    Hi Aviva – I’m so excited about entering your contest. I tried to send the digital version my children’s story, “Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion,” but the file is too large. I will be mailing you a hard copy. Thanks so much for this lovely opportunity!! <3 Rhonda Paglia "Grammy Pags Stories" http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00G5X3WO2

    # October 20, 2014 Reply
    • Aviva Gittle Aviva Gittle

      It truly is my pleasure, Billie. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. Please spread the word! I’d like to get another 106 entries. Thanks!

      # October 21, 2014 Reply
  15. Scott Freeman Scott Freeman

    Aviva,
    I saw your announcement on a Linked In group. Thank you for announcing this – I look forward to submitting! I will also let a beautifully self-published friend know about the contest.
    And I will like your Facebook page and sign up for your newsletter as you requested.
    (My Facebook page is “Books for Kids,” for anyone who would like to trade “likes.”)

    # October 28, 2014 Reply
  16. aliciaminor aliciaminor

    Hi Aviva,
    Thanks to my illustrator for this contest. I am entering.
    This is a great opportunity to promote author’s self-published books like mine. More power.

    # November 10, 2014 Reply
  17. Tanesha Hopson Tanesha Hopson

    Hi Aviva, I am so excited about this contest. I entered very early. I thought it ended in October & I keep watching:) I hope I am not forgotten since I submittes so early. What you have done is amazing. Also, this is a great way to reach other children authors & share our work. Children really need our messages. We make kids smile:)

    # November 16, 2014 Reply
  18. Marie Schmuggins Marie Schmuggins

    Hi Aviva,

    I will be sending you my children’s picture book, Momma Days by email. I self published it through AuthorHouse. Is that an acceptable company? I think it’s great that you are promoting self published authors. This is my first book and I am very excited to share it with you!

    # November 23, 2014 Reply
  19. Midge Newth Midge Newth

    Hello Aviva,

    Looking forward to participating in your contest. I am not very computer savvy but looking forward to sending you my book.

    Thank you.

    Midge

    # November 24, 2014 Reply

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