PWA Shamus Awards

Private Eye Writers of America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2008 CONTACT: Ted Fitzgerald, tedfitz[at]msn.com


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PRIVATE EYE WRITERS OF AMERICA ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR 2008 SHAMUS AWARDS

For Works First Published in the U.S. in 2007



Following are the categories for the Private Eye Writers of America 2008 Shamus Awards for private eye novels and short stories first published in the United States in 2007. The awards will be presented in the fall of 2008.



DEADLINE for submissions is June 6, 2008. No extensions will be given.



Eligible works must feature as a main character a person PAID for investigative work but NOT employed for that work by a unit of government. These include traditionally licensed private investigators; lawyers and reporters who do their own investigations; and others who function as hired private agents. These do NOT include law enforcement officers, other government employees or amateur, uncompensated sleuths.



Please send one copy of each eligible work to ALL members of the appropriate committee, not just to its Chair. Please copy General Awards Chair Ted Fitzgerald, 63 Old Post Road, East Walpole, MA 02032 with submissions. Do NOT submit a book to more than one committee. For a list of committee members and addresses, (and for any other questions) e-mail tedfitz[at]msn.com.



NOT eligible for consideration are self-published works, e-books or works for which the author is not paid. All submissions must be in hard copy.




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BEST HARDCOVER NOVEL: A book-length work of fiction that is NOT the author’s first published novel.



BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL NOVEL: A book-length work of fiction in paperback original form that is NOT the author’s first novel. Paperback reprints of novels previously published in hardcover are NOT eligible.



BEST FIRST NOVEL: A book-length work of fiction that is ALSO the author’s first published novel. The intent of this category is to reward a true “rookie of the year” rather than a writer who has previously published a novel in another genre or under a pseudonym. A true first novel – whether published in hardcover or paperback – must be submitted in this category rather than either of the two above.



BEST SHORT STORY: A work of fiction of 20,000 words or fewer. Stories first published in an earlier year and reprinted in a magazine, anthology or collection in 2007 are NOT eligible.




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The Private Eye Writers of America was founded in 1981 by Robert J. Randisi to recognize the private eye genre. The Shamus Awards, to honor excellence in private eye fiction, were first presented in 1982.