Hello all! After a long holiday break (and some major procrastinating) the Paper Doll is back to scope out more writing news and information. And for this week's post, she's found some pretty cool writing contests for wannabe mystery writers.
For you short story writers, the Hillerman Mystery Short Story Contest is open to submissions from now until August 15th, 2011 (this goes by snail mail, so the earlier the better). Stories must be previously unpublished, 2,500 words or less, and must be set primarily in New Mexico. There is a $20 entry fee. The winning entry gets these super cool prizes: publication in an issue of New Mexico Magazine, $1,000, and two tickets to the awards ceremony at the Tony Hillerman Writer's Weekend.
For the more ambitious among us, there is the Hillerman Mystery Novel Competition. This one requires a manuscript approximately 60, 000 words that is set primarily in the Southwestern US. The complete manuscript goes by snail mail and must be received/postmarked no later than June 1, 2011. The winning entry receives a standard publishing contract from St. Martin's Press, as well as an advance of $10,000.
Whew! Those are some hefty requirements right? But the opportunities are great for the truly serious writer. Be sure to check out the above links for the full contest guidelines and entry forms.
And if you're a mystery lover who's not familar with Tony Hillerman's critically acclaimed and award winning detective novels, be sure to check those out as well. Set in the Four Corners region of the US, these complex and often chilling stories feature Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, two members of the Navajo tribal police.
