The Prize Onion 2025
The Prize Onion is an award that supports the publication of a 20-40 page narrative comic from new Scottish talent (this means you are a current resident or have recently graduated from a Scottish institution). This comic may already be complete or a work-in-progress at the time of submission, and will be published by Onion Press in 2026 and launched in an exhibition in Edinburgh.
What to submit
Submissions will be open until midnight 31 July 2025. Here’s what to prepare:
The comic: Submissions must be a 4-8 page sample of your comic (finished artwork). This can be from any portion of the story, but must be an unbroken narrative (not disconnected pages from different points in the comic). Submissions must be in English or wordless. Entries written in Gaelic are also welcome but would need to be provided with an English translation.
- Yes please:
Non-fiction, fiction, memoir, reportage...We are particularly interested in personal stories, comics about a place or a specific point in history, stories that merge the personal with a wider societal, historical or political context.
- No thanks: Fantasy, erotica, sci-fi, gore.
The synopsis: Include a 300-500 word summary of the overall story.
About you: Tell us about yourself! Include a 150-300 word artist statement. Examples of your other work in the form of website links are also welcome.
Apply Here
Eligibility
This prize is for new talent in comics, based in Scotland or recently graduated from a Scottish institution. We are looking for submissions from unpublished comics artists (self-published work is fine). Recent graduates are particularly encouraged to apply. Submissions are welcome from solo artists and from collaborative teams, as long as all parties are unpublished.
Terms
There is no fee to apply. No need to send us money. (But if you want to send us money you can always buy our comics)
Entrants must be commercially unpublished artists. Entries must be unpublished, new work (unprinted, including self-publishing).
Artwork must be complete for the final comic by 14 Feb 2026 and attendance at the exhibition launch event is expected with dates to be confirmed with the artist(s).
Mentorship will consist of three meetings with Onion Press over the course of the development of the winning comic.
The artist will prepare files for risograph printing at a page size up to A4. Onion Press will incur the printing costs. This will be as a print run of 200 copies, split 50/50 with the artist. The artist will retain full rights to their work and will be free to take the comic further and publish elsewhere in the future.
Timeline
May 2025: Launch of the Prize
July 31 2025: Deadline to submit
August 30 2025: Winner announced
September-December 2025: Mentorship
February 2026: Finished artwork due, comic printing
Spring 2026: Exhibition in Edinburgh. Exact date and location TBC.
What you win
First prize
- Money! £500 cash prize
- Publication! Onion Press will publish a 20-40 page risograph comic for the winning comic artist.
- Mentorship! A mentorship with Onion Press to support the development of your comic project publication and distribution of your comic in risograph by Onion Press
- Exhibition! The winning comic will be launched and exhibited in Edinburgh (Location TBC).
Runner(s) Up
- Exhibition! Risograph printed sample comics exhibited in Edinburgh (Location TBC).
- Praise! We’ll tell everyone how cool you are.
Who we are
We are ONION PRESS, a collaboration between comic artists SARAH LIPPETT and MARIA STOIAN.
We are all about using comics to explore the world around us, its histories and secrets, with a touch of silly along the way. With support from Creative Scotland, we launched several debut comics, including a series all about the mysterious abandoned island off the coast of Fife and Portobello in 2024. We are currently working on expanding our roster of publications with new talent and new stories.
For questions, email us at onion.riso.press@gmail.com