Virgins Wanted

We noted early last month that the Crime Writers of Canada organization is adding a new category to its annual list of commendations: the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Unpublished First Crime Novel. But there are now more details regarding the submission process for authors hoping to be considered for that award. As In for Questioning explains, the contest is open to “any writer, regardless of nationality, who lives in Canada or is a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, and who has never had a novel of any kind published commercially.” Also, “contestants should have a completed manuscript and submit the opening chapter(s)--8,000 to 10,000 words--plus a 500-word synopsis of their crime novel manuscript.”

If you’d like to enter the competition, but haven’t yet, you had better get cracking. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2007. Look here for more information.