The Instituto Sudcaliforniano de Cultura (ISC), Baja California Sur’s state cultural institute, has opened its call for entries to the Ciudad de La Paz Literary Prizes 2026. Writers, illustrators, and graphic novelists have until May 18 to submit unpublished works across three categories.
Each category winner will receive 40,000 pesos (roughly $2,100 USD) plus 10 percent of the print run of their published work. Results will be announced in late September 2026.
Three Categories Open to All Creators
The competition covers three distinct categories. The Third Baja California Sur Graphic Novel Prize accepts black-and-white works of 40 to 75 printed pages in a 16-by-23-centimeter format. Entries should be emailed to convos.isc@gmail.com with the subject line “TERCER PREMIO SUDCALIFORNIANO DE NOVELA GRÁFICA 2026.”
The BCS Literature Prizes (Premios Sudcalifornianos de Literatura) accept unpublished manuscripts on any topic, typed double-spaced with 3-centimeter margins. No dedications or graphic elements are allowed. Those entries go to premioliterariobcs@gmail.com with the subject line “PREMIOS LITERARIOS ESTATALES 2026.”
The twelfth edition of the BCS Picture Book Prize (Libro Álbum) accepts illustrated works of 32 to 42 pages, including endpapers and dedications, in a maximum format of 21 by 25 centimeters. Pop-up books, coloring books, and books without illustrations are not eligible. Submissions go to convos.isc@gmail.com with the subject line “XII PREMIO SUDCALIFORNIANO DE LIBRO ÁLBUM 2026.”
How to Enter and Get More Details
All three categories are open to any creator, and the theme is free for each. All works must be unpublished and submitted by email before the May 18, 2026 deadline.
Full guidelines are available through the ISC’s social media channels. Interested applicants can also call the institute at 612-122-1116 during business hours for details. The ISC is based in La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur.
Note that all submissions must be in Spanish. For English-speaking residents with bilingual skills or collaborators who write in Spanish, the prize offers a concrete path to publication with a state cultural institution.
This story was first reported by the Baja California Sur state government at bcs.gob.mx.