New Arthur Ellis Award

The Crime Writers of Canada’s annual awards will be adding a new category beginning next year – and in doing so, takes its cue from the CWA’s Debut Dagger (so much so that I think the Rap Sheet’s designation of it as “the Northern Dagger” oughta stick.) According to the announcement broadcast yesterday, the CWC are just finalizing the details, but “essentially, you submit the first 10,000 words o  your unpublished mystery manuscript (rounded up or down to the nearest chapter) along with a synopsis of the book. If you are one of the 10 people to make the first-stage cut, you will be asked to submit your completed manuscript. This long-list will be pared down to a 5-person short-list; the winner will be announced at the Arthur Ellis Awards dinner.”

The prize is sponsored by McArthur & Company, who will also read the winning entry with an eye towards possible publication.