The Shamus Awards Submission Guidelines For 2026
Following are the categories for The Private Eye Writers of America 2026 Shamus Awards for private eye novels and short stories first published in the United States in 2025.
DEADLINE
Submissions must be postmarked by March 31, 2026. No extensions can be given.
Shamus Committees will forward their final lists to the Shamus Awards Chair by May 31, 2026.
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 P.I. 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 with contact information will suffice. If you have any questions, please e-mail John Shepphird (at) yahoo dot com BEFORE submitting.
BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL
A book-length work of fiction published in hardcover in 2025 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 2025 and 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 2025 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. Stories first published in an earlier year and reprinted in a magazine, anthology or collection in 2025 are NOT eligible.
The Shamus Awards Committees for 2026
BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL COMMITTEE
Dana King (Chair)
8248 Imperial Dr
Laurel, MD 20708
Alan Orloff
21705 Town Place Drive
Boca Raton, FL 33433
Richard Helms
9414 Arcola Lane
Charlotte, NC 28277
BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL COMMITTEE
Harry Hunsicker (Chair)
4848 Lemmon Ave., Suite 100-242
Dallas, Texas 75219
Libby Cudmore
13 Rose Ave
Oneonta, NY 13820
J.R. Sanders
10945 Bryant St.
Yucaipa, CA 92399
BEST ORGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL COMMITTEE
Andrew Welsh-Huggins (Chair)
223 S. Roys Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43204
Ira Berkowitz
400 High Point Drive #113
Hartsdale, NY 10530
Sean Little
806 N. Pine St.
Sun Prairie, WI. 53590
BEST P.I. SHORT STORY COMMITTEE
Debbi Mack (Chair)
7888 Savage Guilford Rd.
Jessup, MD 20794
Steve Pease
PO Box 77289,
Colorado Springs, CO 80970
Patrick H. Moore
15523 Cristalino Street
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745