The Folio Book Illustration Award 2023 | Longlist Revealed

733 illustrators from 58 countries entered, and 20 outstanding entries have been selected for the longlist. This free-to-enter award asked entrants to illustrate a single scene from Ursula Le Guin's The Fliers of Gy.

The winning entrant will receive a £2,000 cash prize plus a £500 Folio Gift Voucher and a portfolio review by the Folio Art Directors. Five runners-up will also receive a £500 Folio Gift Voucher and a portfolio review by the Folio Art Directors.

The judges, Folio Art Directors, Sheri Gee and Raquel Leis Allion, Folio Publishing Director, Tom Walker, Theo Downes-Le Guin and Folio Book Illustration Award 2022 winner, Evangeline Gallagher, will be looking for atmosphere and strong characterisation in the entries along with an ability to read and reflect the text.

Judge Sheri Gee said 'There was a really high calibre of illustration that made judging the longlist a very difficult task. We loved so many of the depictions, so beautifully drawn and crafted. I know how hard it was to get from 733 to 20, I’m really looking forward to what discussion will come out of deciding the runners up and winner. It’s going to be a tough decision.'