The International Thriller Writers is pleased to announce its 2013 Thriller Awards Competition. Categories include:

Best Hardcover Novel - This award honors the best hardcover thriller novel of the year.

Best First Novel - This award honors our debut thriller novelists.  Eligibility covers an author’s first novel, whether under the author’s name or a pseudonym, regardless of publication format. ALL FIRST NOVELS MUST BE ENTERED INTO THE BEST FIRST NOVEL CATEGORY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF YOUNG ADULT DEBUT NOVELS, WHICH ARE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE YOUNG ADULT NOVEL CATEGORY.

Best Paperback Original Novel - This award honors the best paperback original thriller novel of the year.

Best Short Story - This award honors the best thriller short story (up to 35,000 words, to enable novellas to participate) of the year.

And two new categories:

Best Young Adult Novel - This award honors the best young adult thriller novel (aimed at ages 12 – 18) of the year.

Best E-Book Original Novel - This award honors the best e-book original thriller novel of the year. E-book original is defined as a book that first appeared in electronic format during 2011-2012. E-books that have been previously published in any format are ineligible.

RULES OF ELIGIBILITY

All novels FIRST published in the English language by a commercial ITW Recognized Publisher within the 2012 calendar year are eligible for the respective categories listed above. For the E-Book Original category only, eligible novels must be published during 2011-2012. Active-status ITW members may submit independently published work to the appropriate category of Thriller competition (Best Hard Cover, Best Paperback Original, Best Short Story, Best Young Adult, and Best E-Book Original). Independently published work from Associate ITW members or non-members will not be considered for competition.

ITW maintains a list of recognized traditional commercial publishers on its website.  Any publisher or author may fill out ITW’s “Publisher Questionnaire,” seeking admission to the list.

ITW will solicit publishers for eligible work, but ultimately it will be the responsibility of each author who would like to be considered for an award category to contact his publisher and ensure copies reach each judge in that category by the stated deadline dates.  If an entered work does not reach the judge by the deadline date, that work will be disqualified.  It is solely the entrant’s responsibility to ensure copies are delivered.

Publishers are requested to submit a title to only the appropriate category:  Hardcover novels must be entered in Best Hardcover Novel category (except for First Novels). Paperback Originals must be entered in Best Paperback Original category.  All first novels must be entered into the Best First Novel category, with the exception of debut Young Adult novels which must be entered into the Best Young Adult category. E-books that have been previously published in any format are ineligible. Any author who has been previously published in any format is ineligible for Best First Novel.  Those authors are invited to check the criteria for Best Hardcover, Best Paperback Original. Best Young Adult, and Best E-Book Original to submit to the appropriate category there.

ELIGIBILITY AND RULES SPECIFIC TO SHORT STORIES

The term Short Story is expanded to include novellas.

Entries must be under 35,000 words to be eligible for entry in the Best Short Story Award category.

Entries must be first published in the English language in print or e-zine format between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.

Original publication or a copy of the story published is admissible, provided it is accompanied by proof of publication (i.e. publication’s copyright page/notice).

Hard copies must be mailed to the judges. However, on the email notification for panel assignments, judges will indicate whether or not they prefer to receive the entry via e-book. If the entrant wishes to forward their entry via e-book to the judges that have indicated this preference, we gladly encourage this.

ENTRY FORM

The Entry Form is posted on the ITW website. Once your entry form is received, your entry will be assigned to a panel and you will receive email instructions on where to send the novels for judging.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

Novels meeting the criteria stated above that are first published from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 are eligible. For the E-Book Original category only, eligible novels must be published during 2011-2012. Publishers, agents, publicists and/or authors are required to get copies of eligible work into the hands of the category judges no later than December 31, 2012, to allow adequate time to review the titles.  If an entered work does not reach one of the judges by the deadline date but reaches the other judges, that work will still be disqualified.  It is solely the entrant’s responsibility to confirm delivery.  Unfortunately, the awards committee does not have the ability to track each entered work.

Books should be sent to the judges as soon as possible. Please ship copies to judges living outside the United States by air or a delivery service such as UPS.

Only works received by the appropriate judges at the close of business on December 31, 2012 are eligible for award consideration.

SCHEDULE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS

Finalists will be announced in April 2013.  Winners will be announced in July 2013 at the International Festival of Thrillers (aka ThrillerFest) special ceremony. To receive notification of these announcements, please email the Awards Coordinator overseeing the appropriate category.

Best Hardcover Novel (Jeff Ayers at jeff.ayers@thrillerwriters.org)
Best First Novel (Jeff Ayers at jeff.ayers@thrillerwriters.org)
Best E-Book Original Novel (Jeff Ayers at jeff.ayers@thrillerwriters.org)
Best Paperback Original Novel (Allan Leverone at al.leverone@thrillerwriters.org)
Best Young Adult Novel (Allan Leverone at al.leverone@thrillerwriters.org)
Best Short Story (Allan Leverone at al.leverone@thrillerwriters.org)

Authors, contact your publishers! Publishers submit your entries via the Entry Form on the Official International Thriller Writers website. The ITW Awards Coordinators will advise you of your judge’s mailing addresses.

ITW Awards Program Committee:
Carla Buckley, Vice President Awards
Josh Corin, Chair, Awards
Jeff Ayers, Coordinator (Hardcover, First Novel, E-Book Original)
Allan Leverone, Coordinator (Paperback Original, Young Adult, Short Story)

PAST NOMINEES AND WINNERS

CLICK HERE to read about past nominees and winners.