The National Cartoonists Society has released its call for entries. Here’s what you need to know:

Divisional Awards

DEADLINE: February 7

The National Cartoonists Society is starting its annual call for entries for consideration for their NCS Divisional Awards, recognizing excellence in professional cartooning. As always, you DO NOT have to be a member of the NCS to have your work considered for a divisional award… all that is required is that the work be eligible, as detailed below.

• You do not have to be a member of the NCS to enter.
• There is no fee for submissions.
• All submissions must complete the online entry form and comply with division requirements.
• A sample of work may only be submitted to ONE division – no duplicates.
• The Divisional Reuben Awards recognize individuals for their artistic excellence in cartoon arts.
• Only work published between the dates of January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 can be considered. Submitted work must be accompanied by verification of the date of first publication or it will be disqualified.
• If you are unable to submit via the online form, please email ncs@nationalcartoonists.com

Submission Guidelines PDF

Submission process (general)

All submissions and entry forms will be submitted digitally this year.

• Review division-specific instructions below.
• Complete the online entry form. On the entry form, provide:
  • Your Name
  • Which division you are entering
  • Email and Contact Information
  • Short Bio (optional)
• Upload work samples using the entry form. Please follow division-specific guidelines provided below.
• Upload PROOF OF 2023 PUBLICATION using the entry form. Failure to provide proof of publication date may result in disqualification.
• Submit the form by Feb. 7, 2024 and receive an email confirmation of your entry.

How to submit a proof of publication

This is required for all divisions. Proof of 2023 publication date for each submitted sample of work MUST be included by uploading a separate proof file using the entry form. Failure to provide proof of publication date may result in disqualification.

Examples of proof:

• if the submitted work itself has the date clearly visible you will also submit the work in the proof section of the entry form
• a scan of magazine table of contents with feature circled
• dated product art or ad scanned from print, screenshot that shows publication date
• documentation or a letter of verification of print date from client, publisher, or syndicate
• a photo or scan of a printed page that shows date and name of publication
• a screenshot showing both URL and date of publication (for example at GoComics, Comics Kingdom, a webcomic site, or New Yorker etc.)
• direct web link that shows both the artwork and date of publication
• tearsheet or copyright page

Upload one proof image for each submitted image file.

• Upload each image as a separate JPEG/JPG or PDF file
• SIZE: no larger than 800×800 pixels or 3MB per file

 FILE NAME FORMAT

• PROOF_Lastname_Firstname_1
• PROOF_Lastname_Firstname_2
• etc.

Please name your files and/or label the proof documentation so that it is clear which piece of submitted work it is for.

Guidelines for all online comics submissions

• Submissions must be web-only publications (any work also syndicated in print should be submitted to the proper print division above)
• Submissions must have shown consistent, timely publication over the course of the 2023 calendar year (weekly, bi-weekly, multiple times a week, daily, etc.)
• Compilations of work published in previous years are not eligible.
• Submissions may be submitted by the artists themselves or by agents or other colleagues on the artist’s behalf.

Online Comics — Short Form

• Submissions can be strip, single panel, single or partial page format
• Submissions must be mainly self-contained gag, story, or narrative in each short comic, even if also part of an ongoing narrative

Online Comics — Long form

• Examples of Long Form Comics: An illustrated daily shouts piece in The New Yorker, a comic sketchbook page in the New York Times Review of Books, a piece published in The Nib, a longform webcomic like this
• Submissions can be posted in single or multiple page format (but please keep in mind that multiple pages will count as multiple SAMPLE IMAGES)
• Submissions must be accompanied by documentation of the date of first posting/release of each episode/page/segment
• Submissions must be ongoing narrative in serial form i.e., continuing comic book/graphic novel storyline

All Online Comics Submission Procedure

Review all instructions, including how to submit Proof of Publication as detailed prior to the division requirements. Incorrect or ineligible entries will be disqualified.

Complete the online entry form

• Upload UP TO 8 TOTAL sample images.
• Upload each image as a separate JPEG/JPG file
• SIZE: no larger than 800x800pixels or 3MB per file
• FILE NAME FORMAT:
  • Lastname_Firstname_1
  • Lastname_Firstname_2
  • etc.
  • Files will be viewed by jurors in numerical order based on your file names. Please number them in the order you wish them to be viewed.

• Upload proof of 2023 publication (see detailed instructions prior to the division requirements)
• Submit the completed form or or by February 7, 2024
  You will receive a confirmation email with your entry details. Division Finalists will be announced in May and winners announced at the annual Reuben Awards in fall of 2024.

Categories

• Comic Book
• Book Illustration
• Online Comics: Long Form
• Gag Cartoon
• Newspaper Strip
• Online Comics: Short Form
• Greeting Card
• Newspaper Panel
• Advertising/ Product Illustration
• Graphic Novel
• Variety Entertainment
• Magazine/Newspaper Illustration
• Editorial Cartoon
• Art for Animated Media

Good luck!

All winners will be announced at the 78th Annual Reuben Awards Dinner

Good luck to everyone who submits!