WRITING CONTESTS—MYSTERY SHORT STORY AND MYSTERY NOVEL

 In conjunction with the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference, WORDHARVEST co-sponsors two major writing contests, one for mystery short stories and one for mystery novels. We welcome your entries.

The Hillerman Prize for best first mystery

Co-sponsored by St.Martin’s Press
Seeking unpublished mystery novels in the Hillerman tradition.
The book-length manuscript must include a murder or another serious crime or crimes at the heart of the story, and place emphasis on the solution rather than the details of the crime. The story’s primary setting must be the Southwestern United States.
Deadline:  July 1, 2008
Prize: $10,000 and publication by the Thomas Dunne imprint of St. Martin’s Press
For the mystery novel rules click here
To read about our 2007 winner, click here
 

The Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story Contest

Co-sponsored by Cowboys & Indians Magazine
Seeking 2500 word unpublished mystery short stories set in the Western or Southwestern United States. The story must include at least one cowboy and/or Native American character.
Deadline: September 15, 2008
Prize: $1500 and publication in the March issue of the magazine
For the short story contest rules click here
To read about past winners click here
 

We also do an on-site mini-contest at the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference: Focus on Mystery with great prizes for attendees! Come join us in Albuquerque in November.