Are you the next big thing in crime writing?

Are you a crime writer in Australia or New Zealand? 

Whether you’re a debut author or have previously been published, the Allen & Unwin Crime Fiction Prize is looking for new talent in crime writing.

The prize itself is a killer! The winner will receive a publishing contract with Allen & Unwin and an advance against royalties of $25,000. 

Allen & Unwin publisher Jane Palfreyman is excited about discovering new voices and said,  “The appetite of readers for quality crime fiction has never been so high, and Australian crime writing is flourishing here and around the world. At Allen & Unwin we have been consistently thrilled by the response to our award-winning and bestselling crime list, and are keen to expand it by discovering strong voices and new talent. We feel the Allen & Unwin Crime Fiction Prize is the perfect way to support ANZ writers and give our readers more of what they love.” (Allen & Unwin website)

What do you need to do? 

The prize is open to both unpublished and published authors who are also residents of Australia or New Zealand.

All you’ll need to do is submit your unpublished full-length manuscript between 70,000 – 100,00 words (crime or thriller genre) before the deadline.

Entries will close on 26 February 2021. So you have plenty of time to polish your deadliest manuscript.

The winning novel will be announced in September 2021.

To find out more, visit the Allen & Unwin website.