CREATE A COMIC BOOK OR GRAPHIC NOVEL PROJECT!

Choose between two options :

Adaptation of a literary classic

You love novels or short stories and would like to bring your favorite book to life as a graphic novel? Send us your project proposal! The work must be in the public domain.

Debut or sophomore work

You have never published a comic or graphic novel before? Or no more than one? Then send us your favorite project! (Fiction or non-fiction graphic novel)

1. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission
• The submitted project must be unpublished
  

2. REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

• Exposé/proposal of the project with a synopsis and a pitch
• A completed storyboard
• 5 colored spreads
• 3 cover proposals
• Portfolio
• CV

The documents must be submitted as PDFs in English, German or French.

3. DEADLINES AND WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

The projects should be sent to creative@helvetiq.ch by May 31, 2025 using the subject “Graphic Novel Competition 2025”.

The winners will be announced at the end of June 2025 on Helvetiq’s website and contacted personally.

4. PRIZE

The winners in each category will sign a publishing contract with Helvetiq, including an advance and royalties. Their book will be published and they will receive a prize of EUR 1,500 upon publication of the book.

Helvetiq reserves the right not to nominate a winner.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WINNERS

The submitted project cannot be submitted to other competitions or publishers during the period between submission to Helvetiq and the announcement of the winners. The rights of use will be transferred to Helvetiq for a period specified in the publishing contract. If a contract is signed, the winners are obliged to complete the project by the end of 2026 and to work closely with Helvetiq’s editorial team until it goes to print.

The conditions of Helvetiq’s regular publishing contract apply to the winning projects

Click here for the competition rules

Discover our 4 collections of graphic novels