Advice from Picture Book Category Judge Deirdre Power

In partnership with David Higham Associates (DHA), the WriteMentor 2025 Novel & Picture Book Award is looking for new writing talent in children’s, young adult, and adult fiction. 

Now in its seventh year, the Awards invite entries worldwide within three categories: Picture Books, Children’s (Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult), and Adult fiction. 

Winners from each category will be selected by three agents from DHA, one of the leading agencies for writers in the world, with some of the most successful literary careers of the twentieth century in its care. Each winner will receive a cash prize, a 45-minute one-to-one virtual consultation with the agent judge for that category, and a one-year free membership to the Hub, WriteMentor’s online membership platform.

Judging the Picture Book Category, agent Deirdre Power started her career at Curtis Brown as an assistant, and since then has worked in the children’s editorial teams at Simon & Schuster and Usborne Publishing. Deirdre joined David Higham Associates in January 2023 to assist Caroline Walsh and Veronique Baxter on the children’s side. She now works with Caroline across her incredible list. Prior to working in publishing, Deirdre attended Trinity College Dublin for my BA in English Studies and MPhil in Children’s Literature, and previously worked as a bookseller on Grafton Street in Dublin.

Here, Deirdre shares her advice for entering the WriteMentor Novel Award.

What are you looking for in a winning entry?

We’re always looking for something we can really sink our teeth into, but in more practical terms, this comes down to finding that perfect blend of an exciting and tightly plotted story, with a writing style that is eminently readable. We’re open widely across subject, style and genre – what makes a winning entry for us is something that we find unforgettable and accomplished, that we’re prepared to really fight for and fall in love with as we’re reading. We’re looking for something polished, authentic, with a clear view of what it’s trying to accomplish, and ideally something with a clear and distinct hook.

Can you share your advice for writing a stand out Picture Book?

For me I think a fresh take on a classic theme will always work really well, but more than anything I’m looking at the storytelling potential. I often think of picture books as being performed to children as much as they’re read, so I’m looking for something that fits that bill, with wide appeal in terms of its subject matter. I’m always looking for joy – but really what brings about that magic is very deliberate and precise choices with your language to make it flow like a river. 

Can you share your advice for writing a picture book pitch?

Keep it simple! I sometimes read pitches as long as the picture book itself – remember that with a text this short, we’ll probably read it right away. Define what it is your main character wants or is aiming for, and what’s standing in their way or threatening to. If you can evoke some sense of the tone in the pitch as well, I love that, but it’s not essential. The main point is to give me a clear idea of what I’m getting into it, both in terms of story and feel.