22nd Scarlet Stiletto Awards

Ladies of crime (writing), here’s a competition just for you! The 22nd Scarlett Stiletto Awards are now open and, thanks to Every Cloud Productions, the prize pool has increased to $9350! Woah!

From the Sisters in Crime website:

Every Cloud Productions, the producers of the internationally-acclaimed crime drama, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, has just added another feather to its cloche: sponsorship of the $1500 first prize in the 22nd Scarlet Stiletto Awards, Sisters in Crime Australia’s annual short story competition.

A record $9350 is on offer this year – up $650 from last year. Stories must have a crime or mystery theme, a female protagonist and a female author. The awards are amongst the richest short story competitions in Australia.

As well receiving Every Cloud Productions’ 1st Prize of $1500, the overall winner is presented with the coveted trophy, a scarlet stiletto with its steel heel plunging into a perspex mount.

Melbourne’s Athenaeum Library is again offering a prize of $1000 and a runner-up prize of $500 for the best short story that includes the words ‘body in the library’.

Closing date for the awards is 31 August 2015. Entry fee is $15 (Sisters in Crime) or $20 (others). Maximum length is 5000 words.

Entry forms, FAQs and a full list of prizes are available on the Scarlett Stiletto website.