Minotaur Books / MWA First Crime Novel Competition

Minotaur Books & Mystery Writers of America

DeadlineDec 14, 2026

Pay / prize: $10,000 advance + Minotaur publishing contract
Entry fee: Free
Length: 60,000+ (220+ pages), complete
Eligibility & notes: Unpublished first crime novel; murder or serious crime at the heart of the story. Writers with a previously published novel aren't eligible (self-published works don't count). One entry per writer.
Last checked: 2026-10-17

Details can change. Always confirm on the official page before you submit or pay a fee. Something wrong here? Tell us.

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