Awards Submission Rules Unpublished

Unpublished Manuscripts

"Unhanged" submissions must be postmarked or courier-dated no later than October 15, 2011

 

CONTEST CLOSED FOR 2012 ARTHUR ELLIS AWARDS

 

2012 Arthur Ellis Awards: Unhanged Arthur



Submission Rules: Unpublished Manuscript

Definition of a crime novel

"Crime novel" is defined as crime, detective, espionage, mystery, suspense, or thriller, and can be set in any time period and crime-related sub-genre.

 

Eligibility

The contest is open to all writers who fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

  1. You are a Canadian citizen, regardless of place of residence, or a writer, regardless of nationality, who has been granted Permanent Resident status in Canada.

  2. You have not had a novel of any kind published commercially, whether:

    • in print or electronically (i.e., e-book or published on the Internet) or self-published

    • in any genre, including literary

    • under your given name or a pseudonym, and/or

    • written alone or jointly with another author

A novel that has an ISBN is considered to be published commercially. However, anyone published in the areas of nonfiction, short stories, poetry, or plays/screenplays is eligible to submit to the Unhanged Arthur.

  1. In addition, if you currently have a contract from a publisher for your manuscript, you are ineligible to enter this contest.

You are welcome to submit the same manuscript in subsequent years, provided that it did not win an Unhanged Arthur Award and that criteria 1 to 3 are still met.

If you are uncertain whether your manuscript is eligible, contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The decision of Crime Writers of Canada as to whether a manuscript is eligible for the Unhanged Arthur Award is binding.

 

Submission procedure

  • Entrants should submit

    • Three (3) copies of the opening 5000 words of their completed crime novel

    • Three (3) copies of a 500-word synopsis describing the novel’s further development. The synopsis should be of the entire novel. The synopsis must be double-spaced. The synopsis is a crucial part of the submission; it is the only way the judges can see the plot development, so take time to write it.

    • A completed entry form and $25 fee for each submission.

    • A brief bio and blurb (100 words max each)

  • Manuscripts and synopses must be in English, typed double-spaced on 8.5" x 11" paper or A4 paper using 12-point Times New Roman or Courier, with 1 inch margins, and unbound.

  • Each page of the manuscript must have a header in the upper left-hand corner, containing the title of the manuscript. Do not include your name as part of the slug line because the judges will be judging blind. Make sure that each page is numbered. Do not include your name on the synopsis, just have the title of the book.

  • Each submission must be accompanied by a completed entry form and an entry fee of $25.00. Only cheques or postal money orders, in Canadian funds, made out to Crime Writers of Canada can be accepted. Writers may submit any number of entries provided that each is accompanied by an entry form plus the entry fee of $25.00. If you cannot provide Canadian funds, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to make alternate arrangements.

  • Each submission must be accompanied by a short biography (no more than 100 words) and a "blurb" of 100 words about your story's plot (think advertising copy here).

  • Entries must be postmarked or courier-dated by October 15, 2011.

 

Other important information

  • The judges will come up with a long list from the initial submissions. These authors will be notified by January 15, 2012, and asked to submit three (3) copies of their complete manuscript. The winner and runners-up will be determined from this complete manuscript. The decision of the judges is final.

  • The Unhanged Arthur shortlist, along with the other Arthur Ellis Awards shortlists, will be announced at the end of April. The winner will be announced at the CWC Arthur Ellis Awards Ceremony in Toronto, Ontario, May 31, 2012. All shortlisted authors will be sent details about both events.

  • The winner will receive a special Arthur Ellis Award as well as a cash prize from McArthur & Company. Kim McArthur of McArthur & Company will critique the winning manuscript within six months of the dinner. McArthur & Company will have first refusal on the work.

  • There is no commitment on McArthur's part to publish the winning entry, nor is the winner obligated to accept McArthur's offer to publish.

  • Copyright will remain at all times with the entrant.

  • Entries and manuscripts cannot be returned.

 

Entries should be sent to:

Crime Writers of Canada – Unhanged Arthur

4C-240 Westwood Road

Guelph, Ontario

N1H 7W9

 

Submissions must be postmarked or courier dated no later than October 15, 2011.

We regret that entries postmarked after this date cannot be considered. If you are using a courier company, the phone number is 519-826-9693. You will be emailed (or phoned if you don't have email) when your packaged has been received. For your own peace of mind, please request a delivery receipt from your courier or post office.

 

For information about the contest, please email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For information about Crime Writers of Canada, please email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Unhanged Style Guide

PDF Version of the Rules and Style Guide

Entry Form

Last Updated: Oct 30, 2011