The Shamus Awards

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2024 SHAMUS AWARDS ARE NOW CLOSED

For Works First Published in the U.S. in 2023 

Following are the categories for the Private Eye Writers of America 2024 Shamus Awards for private eye novels and short stories first published in the United States in 2023.

DEADLINE

Submissions must be postmarked by March 31, 2024.
No extensions can be given.
Shamus Committees will forward their final lists
to the Shamus Awards Chair by May 31, 2024.

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 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 fewer, published in a recognized print or online magazine, anthology or collection in 2023. Stories first published in an earlier year and reprinted in a magazine, anthology or collection in 2023, are NOT eligible. Self-published stories are NOT eligible.

2024 SHAMUS AWARDS COMMITTEES

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL COMMITTEE
Patrick H. Moore 15523 Cristalino Street Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
Paul McGoran 364 Bellevue Av Unit D201 Newport RI 02840
Jim Nesbitt 400 N. Madison St. Athens, AL. 35611 

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL COMMITTEE
Gay Toltl Kinman (Chair) 900 South Second St., Ste E Alhambra, CA 91801
David Bart 192 Paa Ko Drive Sandia Park, New Mexico 87047
O’Neil DeNoux 428 West 25th Avenue, Covington, LA 70433
 
BEST ORIGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL
Andrew McAleer (Chair) 121 Follen Rd Lexington, MA 0242
Richie Narvaez 227 West 27th St., Rm B602 New York, NY 10001-5992
Stephen D. Rogers PO Box 286 Buzzards Bay, MA 02532  

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY COMMITTEE
Kevin Burton Smith (Chair) 3053 Rancho Vista, H116 Palmdale, CA 93551
Lori Duffy Foster 2399 Austinburg Road Westfield, PA 16950
Rosalie Spielman 140 W Earleigh Heights Road Severna Park, MD 21146   

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