Children’s Book Pitching Competition 2024 Winners Announced
Guest judge, award-winning children’s author Dimity Powell, shares the winner and runners-up from the Children’s Publishing Academy 2024 pitching competition.

Winner: I Want To Be A Cyborg by Anna Brotherson
Runners Up / Highly Honourable Mentions:
- Poppy Wants To Play Cricket by Pamela Jabbar
- When Squiggle Found Straight by Julie Dini
Judge’s Note:
The shortlisted entries for this year’s Children’s Book Pitching Competition exhibited a broad range of diverse, thought-provoking topics. The characteristics of the best, strongest pitches included a succinct explanation of the story outline, comment on its character’s dreams and dilemmas along with a solid sense of purpose and theme, delivered in a pithy, attention-arresting way. All three top entries possessed a pleasing, robust amount of kid appeal, as well.
Winner’s Praise: Despite being a complete Luddite and wary adversary of AI, this storyline generated immediate appeal. The intriguing conflict between the protagonist’s desires to be a robot and the consequential realities of his desires provides a unique platform from which young Gen Alphas can ponder the many pros and cons of the modern world in which they live. While embracing a sobering social issue that is current and ongoing, this pitch provided ample room for humour, silliness and imaginative illustrations. Best of all, the storyline speaks directly to kids, who at that age, imagine themselves being all manner of weird and wonderful things.
Poppy’s Notes: Jabbar’s clear and beautifully executed video pitch had me in stiches! I want to meet this Poppy and follow her on her quest to be a world cup class cricket player. Lively, witty and authentic, this pitch resonated loudly in Poppy’s voice guaranteeing maximum kid fun and connection while addressing the age-old question: how does one attain the seemingly unattainable? Full marks for originality, presentation and the potential to blossom into an engaging series for junior readers.
Squiggle Notes: This cleverly crafted idea sits perfectly within early primary school psyche. Shapes and lines create a touching schoolyard analogy that focuses on friendship dynamics, empathy, emotions and tenacity; successfully defining the complexities of managing school social circles – or squiggles as the case may be! Extra points for elegant simplicity and originality.
Congratulations to all writers who participated! Selected or not, your courage and creativity is inspiring. The EK Books team will be reaching out to all writers mentioned, if you see your name here but have not heard from us, please reach out to [email protected]
Wow! What an exciting competition, and congratulations to the winner and runners up. I can’t wait to see these books published. I also have a question: Is it possible to read the actual pitches? I’m currently paralysed by my pitching letter and would learn a lot from reading examples of excellence.