Illustration is the universal language of emotions — a language that tells the human story through color and line.
We invite you to take part in a book that removes the borders between cultures and images.
Daarvak Publishing House, as one of the creative and professionally active institutions in the field of international publishing — with a focus on producing and introducing contemporary literary and artistic works — has expanded its activities to promote interaction between art and literature on a global scale through various cultural and artistic projects and collaborations with artistic, literary, and academic institutions worldwide.
The Daarvak International Illustrators Yearbook is part of Daarvak’s global initiative to support independent artists and foster cultural diplomacy through art and imagery.
The Daarvak International Illustrators Yearbook offers an opportunity for illustrators who wish to see their works featured alongside some of the best artists in the world — moving between the boundaries of literature and art, and leaving their names in the global memory of publishing and illustration.
Organizers
Daarvak International Publishing
CooterMag Literary & Art Magazine
Daarvak Literature Department (DLiD)
CooterMag International Quarterly
Objectives
The main objectives of the Daarvak International Illustrators Yearbook are as follows:
- To introduce and promote the global position of contemporary illustrators, creating a platform for artists from different countries to be seen and to connect the art of illustration with world literature.
- To build an international network of illustrators, publishers, and literary agencies, facilitating professional communication among artists, authors, publishers, and professionals in the fields of visual art and publishing.
- To showcase cultural diversity and visual perspectives in contemporary illustration by collecting works from different cultures, languages, and artistic styles.
- To support independent artists and introduce emerging talents, providing them with opportunities for international recognition and growth.
- To promote illustration as a universal language of creative expression, emphasizing its power to convey concepts, emotions, and narratives beyond linguistic boundaries.
- To foster cultural collaboration between artistic, literary, and publishing institutions, encouraging partnerships between cultural and academic organizations to support visual content creation and international publishing.
- To establish an annual reference for showcasing outstanding illustration works, turning the Yearbook into a respected anthology for publishers, critics, and audiences of children’s, young adult, and adult books.
- To create commercial and professional opportunities for participating artists, facilitating commissions, collaborations, and international projects through official presentation of their works.
- To document and archive the artists’ works in both digital and printed formats — ensuring lasting visibility in the Yearbook, website, and official media of the organizers.
- To contribute to cultural diplomacy through art and illustration, using visual language as a tool for dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding among nations and artists.
Features & Benefits of Participation
- Each selected artist will receive one complimentary printed copy of the Yearbook.
- The Yearbook and its digital directory will be distributed to approximately 400–800 literary agencies and representatives in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Ireland, and other European countries.
- Presentation of the collection at major international book fairs such as Frankfurt, Bologna, and others.
- Promotion of the participating artists among European and American publishers.
- Three months of global promotion and advertising support for participating artists by the organizing and partner teams.
- A dedicated introduction video for each artist on the platforms of CooterMag International Magazine.
- Categorized feature in CooterMag International Quarterly.
- One-year free membership for selected artists in the Daarvak Literature Department (DLiD) – Germany.
Submission Guidelines
- The theme is open — artists are free to choose their subject matter.
- Each artist may submit up to 5 artworks for review.
- Submitted works may be published or unpublished, provided that the artist fully owns the copyright and that submission does not violate any prior publishing or contractual rights.
- Artists must explicitly declare in their submission email that they “own all material and intellectual rights to the works submitted, and that their submission does not violate any previous publishing or contractual agreements.”
- After the initial selection stage, chosen artists will receive an official participation form and rights confirmation document from the organizing committee.
- Selected artworks may be adjusted for layout optimization within the Yearbook in consultation with the artist, who may suggest alternative works if needed.
- Works must be submitted in adequate quality for review. In case of selection, artists will be contacted to provide high-resolution files suitable for print.
Technical specifications:
Format: JPG
Maximum size: A4
Resolution: 150 DPI
Maximum file size per work: 5 MB
Jury & Selection Process
- After the submission deadline, all works will be reviewed by the jury panel, and the best entries will be selected for publication.
- Due to limited space, technical quality and creativity will be the main criteria for selection.
- Each selected artist will be featured on two facing pages in the printed Yearbook.
- Selected artists will contribute a participation fee of USD 95 (for two dedicated pages) toward publication costs.
Deadline for Submission
Deadline: November 25, 2025
Submissions are accepted only via email to the official secretariat:
Email: daarvak@cootermag.com
Don’t miss this opportunity!
The world is waiting to see through your eyes.
Every illustration can be a bridge — between dream and reality, between you and a world where image is the common language of humanity.
Find out more:
Website | Instagram
With kind regards,
The Organizing Team
Daarvak International Illustrators Yearbook
………………….
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