MYSTERY WRITING CONTESTS:

THE HILLERMAN PRIZE FOR FIRST NOVEL
and MYSTERY SHORT STORY CONTEST

WORDHARVEST co-sponsors two major writing contests, one for mystery short stories and one for mystery novels. The short story contest will not be held in 2009.

The Hillerman Prize for First Novel

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Seeking unpublished mystery novels in the Hillerman tradition.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: June 1, 2009.
Prize: $10,000 and publication by the Thomas Dunne imprint of St. Martin‘s Press.

For 2009 Hillerman Prize rules click here.

The 2008 winner is Roy Chaney‘s "The Ragged End of Nowhere. " To learn more.

The Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story Contest

Co-sponsored by Cowboys & Indians magazine

Our 2008 winner was June Marie Avery for her story "My Brother "s Keeper."

In addition Wordharvest Awards of Merit went to: Rob Kresge, "Ground Truth;" Mark Cohen, "Bum Steer;" Michael Herrick, "Only Trying to Help."

Click here to learn more about our contest winners The short story contest will not be offered in 2009.