The Folio Society publishes some of the most beautiful illustrated hardback books, fusing literature and visual art. Now’s the chance for new illustrators to join the platform as entries open for the Folio Book Illustration Award 2026.
The annual competition is intended to champion emerging illustration talent, with entries open to artists from around the world. This year’s challenge is to create an original illustration based on the opening chapter of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Illustrations by previous Folio Book Illustration Award entrants Cristina Bencina, Irnya Dobrovetska and Zack Rock (Image credit: The Folio Society)
The opening of Never Let Me Go introduces the seemingly idyllic world of Hailsham, where memory, friendship and mystery intertwine. The Folio Society describes it as quiet, unsettling and deeply human.
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Competition entrants are encouraged to interpret the atmosphere, emotion and ambiguity of the novel’s first pages in their own distinctive style.
The 2026 judging panel includes Folio Head of Editorial James Rose and Folio Fiction Editor Sophia Schoepfer who will be joined by 2025 Folio Book Illustration Award winner Dawn Xintong Yang and leading artists’ agent Alison Eldred.
The winning illustrator will have their artwork featured in a future Folio edition, will receive a £2,000 cash prize and a £500 Folio voucher. Five runners up will each receive a £500 Folio voucher.
The competition is free to enter via the Folio Society website . It’s open to anyone aged 18 or over who has not previously been commissioned by The Folio Society.
The deadline for entries is Tuesday 26 May 2026. The longlist will be announced on Thursday 16 July and the winner and runners up on Thursday 30 July.
It probably goes without saying, but do be aware that AI generated submissions will not be accepted.
For inspiration, see these examples of book illustration.