The Shamus Awards

THE PRIVATE EYE WRITERS OF AMERICA
NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
THE 2025 SHAMUS AWARDS

For Works First Published in the U.S. in 2024 

Following are the categories for the Private Eye Writers of America 2025 Shamus Awards for private eye novels and short stories first published in the United States in 2024.

DEADLINE

Submissions must be postmarked by March 31, 2025.
No extensions can be given.
Shamus Committees will forward their final lists
to the Shamus Awards Chair by May 31, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible works must feature as a main character a person PAID for investigative work but NOT employed for that work by a unit of government. These include traditionally licensed private investigators; lawyers and reporters who do their own investigations; and others who function as hired private agents. These do NOT include law enforcement officers, other government employees, or amateur, uncompensated sleuths. 

Independently published books ("Indies") may be submitted to the Best Original Paperback PI Novel category.

SUBMISSIONS

Please send one copy of each eligible work to ALL members of the appropriate committee. Do NOT submit a book to more than one committee.
There is no application fee and no submission form, as a simple cover letter for each submission will suffice. If you have any questions, please e-mail the Shamus Award Committee Chair  John Shepphird at johnshepphird (at) yahoo dot com  BEFORE submitting.


BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL

A book-length work of fiction published in hardcover in 2024 that is NOT the author's first published P.I. novel.

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

A book-length work of fiction, in hardcover or paperback, first published in 2024 that is the author's first published novel featuring a private investigator as a main character.
 
BEST ORIGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL

A book-length work of fiction first published as a paperback original in 2024 that is NOT the author's first P.I. novel. Paperback reprints of previously published novels are NOT eligible. 

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

A work of fiction of 20,000 words or less, published in a recognized print or online magazine, anthology or collection in 2024. Stories first published in an earlier year and reprinted in a magazine, anthology or collection in 2024, are NOT eligible. Self-published stories are NOT eligible.

2024 SHAMUS AWARDS COMMITTEES

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL COMMITTEE
Stephen Koenig (Chair) P.O. Box 321 Shelton, NE 68876
April Kelly P.O. Box 5 Ooltewah, TN 37363
William Frank 3232 Calle Celestial Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506  

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL COMMITTEE
David R. Thompson (Chair) 17402 Wild Rose Lane Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Paul McGoran 364 Bellevue Av. Unit D201 Newport RI 02840
C.M. Chan 5555 N. Port Washington Road, Suite #300 Glendale, WI 53217 
 
BEST ORIGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL
Ted Fitzgerald (Chair) 63 Old Post Rd East Walpole, MA 02032
Christopher Chambers 437 Irving St NW Washington, DC 20010
Tom Milani 1211 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314-3515   

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY COMMITTEE
Greg Rucka (Chair) 2925 NE 15th Ave Portland, OR 97212
Teel James Glenn 27 50th St (RS), Weehawken NJ, 07086
Jim Guigli 5336 Mustang Way Carmichael, CA 95608-1231    

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Further questions regarding eligibility should be addressed to the Shamus Awards Committee Chair John Shepphird at johnshepphird (at) yahoo dot com..