MYSTERY WRITING CONTESTS: SHORT STORY AND THE HILLERMAN PRIZE FOR FIRST NOVEL

The New Mexico Book Awards is the temporary home for the Hillerman Prize for First Mystery Novel. 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 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  • Seeking unpublished mystery novels in the Hillerman tradition.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
  • Announcement: The winner of the 2009 Hillerman Prize for the Best First Mystery Novel will be announced at the New Mexico Book Awards on November 20 at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Albuquerque, NM.
For 2009 Hillerman Prize rules click here 
Additional information about WordHarvest and the Hillerman Contests can be obtained HERE.

The 2008 winner is Roy Chaney's "The Ragged End of Nowhere."


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  • Seeking 2500 word unpublished mystery short stories set in the Western or Southwestern United States
  • Story must include at least one cowboy and/or Native American character.
  • Deadline: September 15, 2009.
  • Prize: $1500 and publication in the March issue of the magazine
For the 2009 short story contest rules click here 
Additional information about WordHarvest and the Hillerman Contests can be obtained HERE.
The 2008 winner is 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;” and Michael Herrick, “Only Trying to Help”