Join The Great Picture Book Writing Contest

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- Attention, Campbell County Middle Students. The Great Picture Book Writing Contest is now open. Enter your story by December 18, 2026, and you’ll have a chance to have your story edited, formatted, illustrated, and even published.

This unique opportunity came about from famed illustrator Jack Foster who lives right here in Campbell County. Foster is a children’s book illustrator who has more than 175 published kids’ books written by more than 120 different authors. 

“For the past few years, I’ve been illustrating a book for a charity, like the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta, or a women’s recovery program in Nashville. This year, I wanted to do something special for my community here at home,” said Foster. So, The Great Picture Book Writing Contest was born!

A contest rule sheet that has more details is further down this page.

“Postmark La Follette is involved, and we’re excited to present a published copy of the winning book at an event there on May 14. The winner will be chosen in February. Since it takes me about three months to illustrate a book, there will be a little more than three months between the announcement and the book’s publication,” said Foster.

Nine judges are lined up. They are: 

Courtney Nelson (Gifts From Above)

Tayler Franke (Pine Branch)

Jack Foster (illustrator)

Nancy Green (La Follette Library)

Angela Marlow

Tammy Miller Teague (Writer’s Guild)

Dena Miller

Allan Miller (Allan Miller’s Ghost Walk)

Heather Chadwell (Postmark)

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/20/2026-6AM-ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF JACK FOSTER)