From Awards Chair Ted Fitzgerald

PRIVATE EYE WRITERS OF AMERICA ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR 2009 SHAMUS AWARDS

For Works First Published in the U.S. in 2008



Following are the categories for the Private Eye Writers of America 2009 Shamus Awards for private eye novels and short stories first published in the United States in 2008. The awards will be presented in the fall of 2009.



BEST HARDCOVER NOVEL: A book-length work of P.I. fiction in its first hardcover publication that is not the author’s first published P.I. novel.



BEST FIRST NOVEL: A book-length work of fiction, in hardcover or paperback that is the author’s first published novel featuring a private investigator as a main character.



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



BEST SHORT STORY: A work of P.I. fiction of 20,000 words or less. Stories first published in an earlier year and reprinted in a magazine, anthology or collection in 2008 are not eligible.



DEADLINE for submissions is June 19, 2009. 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. Not eligible for consideration are self-published works, e-books or works for which the author is not paid.



For the full submission guidelines and list of committees, e-mail Shamus Awards Chair Ted Fitzgerald at tedfitz[at]msn.com