"In these days of publishing uncertainty and metamorphosis (in the most Kafkaesque sense), there are few venues for yet-unpublished manuscripts to find recognition and praise. Thankfully, the Claymore Award lives among us to fill the void. My nomination was just the boost I needed to renew my faith in my work and my selection as first Runner Up will have a prominent place on the cover of Go Down Hard."

"Above and beyond the boost of confidence the Claymore finalist award gave me, it opened the doors for many more agents to view The Yiddish Gangster’s Daughter, my crime novel. Although it’s only been six months, I’ve received requests from six New York and California-based agents for the entire manuscript and requests to send it to three others if these people don't sign me on. I am confident becoming a finalist gave my work the legitimacy these agents sought. Who knows what will happen with The Yiddish Gangster’s Daughter? I’m more optimistic and motivated now than I was prior to receiving the award. And I have many warm memories of the encouraging and extremely nice (is it a southern hospitality thing?) people at Killer Nashville."

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The Prestigious Claymore Award

What You Win

Over $1,500 in prizes, plus possible book advance and book publication, plus possible agent representation

What Manuscripts Will be Considered

Enter the first 50 pages of your unpublished crime literature manuscript in the contest.

Judges will consider any subgenre of mystery or thriller, including political thriller, cozy, legal, police procedural, private eye, romantic suspense, paranormal mystery, and historical mystery.

Who Would Publish my Book

Only publishers appearing on the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers approved publishers list are eligible to consider Claymore Award manuscripts.

This year’s chosen final judge is Deni Dietz, Senior Editor for Five Star Mysteries©, a division of Gale/Cengage Learning, however other publishers have also expressed interest in publishing those who win the Claymore Award.

Do I Have to Sign with Five Star

No. If you do win the Claymore Award, you do NOT have to sign with Five Star Mysteries©. You will still win the award and prizes. If you do decide to publish with Five Star© (or any other publisher), you or your agent will need to negotiate the specifics for your particular contract. If you do not have an agent, Killer Nashville will be happy to recommend and/or introduce. Writers should always negotiate with the assistance of a qualified agent or attorney.

How it Works

Any author may enter (published or not); however, the contest is limited to only unpublished manuscripts not currently under contract.

Ten finalists are chosen through a blind judging process and sent to Deni Dietz, Senior Editor for Five Star Mysteries, a division of Gale/Cengage Learning. Deni chooses the final winner, who receives an engraved replica of a Claymore Dagger, free admission to Killer Nashville 2012, and more.

Deni will read the winner's full manuscript for possible publication. Deni may also request full or partial manuscripts from the remaining finalists, if she desires.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony during the Guest of Honor dinner on the evening of Saturday, August 25, 2012.

To attend the awards ceremony, you must be registered for both the 2012 Killer Nashville Conference and the Guest of Honor Dinner. Register for Killer Nashville and the Guest of Honor Dinner here.

The History

In 2006, the Killer Nashville Conference was formed with one of its primary objectives to be helping writers advance their careers. In 2009, Killer Nashville founder Clay Stafford created the Claymore Award to further that goal by offering aspiring authors a path to publication. Click here to read more about Killer Nashville – A Conference for Thriller, Suspense, & Mystery Writers and Lovers.

> Enter to Win the Claymore Award