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We’re looking for our next cover…

Our next issue is going to be published in May 2024, and we are looking for a piece of cover art!

It could be a painting, a photography, a drawing, a scan of textile art… anything you think would make a gorgeous, eye-catching piece.

You can have a look at our past covers to get an idea of what we like, although we’re open to something completely different too.

If you’ve created something for a school art class that you’re really proud of, please send it to us! You don’t have to create something for this competition, although you’re very welcome to.

You do not need to include text in your art if you don’t want to – our designer will create the cover using your image.

With the support of the Arts Council, we are able to pay a fee of €85 to our art contributors, and €100 to our cover artist. This will be paid via PayPal, or a book token if you are under 16.

Closes 16th February at 6pm

Please be sure to read and adhere to these guidelines carefully, or your submission will not be considered.

  • You must be 13+ years old to submit.
  • Please label your file correctly with the title of your piece, e.g. “Sunrise.jpeg” (do not include your name in the file, and please do not submit your file as “image2938.jpeg”).
  • Please fill out the subject of the email: Art – Title 
  • Please include your full name in the body of the email (feel free to include a short cover letter introducing yourself and a little bit about your work).
  • Please send your work to: submit.paperlanterns@gmail.com
  • You will receive an auto-reply email, requesting you to fill out a Google form.  Fill out the form for each individual piece. The form can also be found here.
  • Due to copyright laws, we cannot accept work that is a copy of someone else’s intellectual property or work. The piece must be original and owned by you.
    • For example, if you do a drawing of an image you found online, we cannot accept it, but if you draw from what’s in front of you, from an image you took or from your imagination, we can accept it. If you have any questions on this please email paperlanternsjournal@gmail.com
  • We do not accept work that has been published elsewhere. We accept simultaneous submissions, but we ask you to notify us immediately if your submission has been accepted elsewhere.
  • You are welcome to make multiple submissions. We will accept SIX art submissions.
  • While we are very open to the content of the submissions, we will not accept any pieces that are prejudiced in nature. We will not accept pieces that include, but are not limited to: sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or classist content.
  • We reserve the right to chose a cover from other submissions, a cover may not be selected from this competition.
  • If you have any questions, please contact paperlanternsjournal@gmail.com
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Grapefruit Moon by Shirley-Anne McMillan: Review

Grapefruit Moon
Shirley-Anne McMillan
Little Island, August 2023
Paperback, €10.99
ISBN 9781915071422

A tale of two people trying to navigate, in their own, unique way, the social conduct of secondary school to try and fit in.

A tale of two seemingly very different people who seek out a future for themselves through a drag show, slam poetry and a trip to Spain, not realising their actions lead them to one another.

Continue reading Grapefruit Moon by Shirley-Anne McMillan: Review
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A Game of Life or Death by Triona Campbell: Review

A Game of Life or Death
Triona Campbell
Scholastic, January 2023
Paperback £8.99
ISBN 9780702317880

A Game of Life or Death is a thrilling, futuristic novel centred around the growing empire of VR technology and eSports in London. The protagonist, Asha, is a sixteen-year-old girl who has never had it easy. She grew up in the care system and her sister, Maya, is the only support she has. However, when Asha comes home one day to find Maya dead, her world is thrown into chaos.

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Wise Creatures by Deirdre Sullivan: Review

Wise Creatures
Deirdre Sullivan
Hot Key Books, September 2023
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781471411205

There were multiple points in my initial reading of Wise Creatures that I assumed I knew what was going to happen next. Not once was I correct. Deirdre Sullivan’s latest novel is full of moments that had me flipping back through the pages to re-read brilliant foreshadowing that I had previously overlooked. In this darkly thrilling tale of the otherworldly, she expertly evokes a growing sense of wrongness and paranoia while exploring the residual impact of repressed childhood trauma.

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Overemotional by David Fenne: Review

Overemotional

David Fenne

Ink Road, July 2023

Paperback, £7.99

ISBN 9781785304729

OveremotionaI by David Fenne is a majestically woven tale of finding yourself, queer identity, growing up, and coming to terms with your magic emotional superpowers that can make sinkholes appear out of nowhere. Steven’s emotions create a supernatural effect on the world around him (like when he kissed a guy and his head exploded) and, becoming overwhelmed by his powers and fearing for those around him, Steven flees to the dingy town of Grusby-on-Sea in an attempt to stifle them. But trouble seems to follow Steven wherever he goes.

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These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi: Review

These Infinite Threads

Tahereh Mafi

Electric Monkey, August 2023

Paperback, €12.59

9780008529529

These Infinite Threads follows the classic fantasy romance archetype – a magical kingdom, royalty, a girl blessed or cursed with a gift that will change the world – but is balanced with refreshingly lyrical prose that dances off the page.

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Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan: Review

Treacle Town

Brian Conaghan

Andersen Press, October 2023

Paperback, £8.99

ISBN 9781839133619

Treacle Town truly encapsulates the life of a young adult trying to make a life for himself in a town with very little prospects. Con O’Neill, the protagonist of this story, realises that if he wants to live a long life full of meaning he will have to break free of this town. However, despite his understanding that this is the case, we see that Con finds it very difficult to go against the status quo. He is unsure of himself, he talks himself into staying more than once and he continues on with his self-destructive behaviours despite his heart screaming at him to stop.

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The Faint of Heart by Kerrilynn Wilson: Review

The Faint of Heart

Kerrilynn Wilson

Greenwillow Books, June 2023

Paperback, £14.99

ISBN 9780063116221

What would you do if you lived in a world where living without sadness, anger, or pain also meant giving up happiness, hope, and love? In this deeply poignant graphic novel, all of June’s family and friends have had their hearts removed in order to get rid of the pain and stress of life. June, the only one left with a heart, is the only person who still sees the colour in life. She is determined to give the gift of happiness back to her sister.

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Rebel Fire by Ann Sei Lin

Rebel Fire

Ann Sei Lin

Walker Books, July 2023

Paperback, £7.99

ISBN 9781406399608

We are immediately plunged into the entrancing world of protagonist Kurara and her shipmates. Rebel Fire is the perfect novel for fans of Japanese mythology, filled with rich, vivid imagery and engaging descriptions. This adventurous thriller is set in a dystopian world of incredible flying cities and enthralling battles.

Continue reading Rebel Fire by Ann Sei Lin