Crime Writers of Canada Announces 2020 Unhanged Arthur Award

by | Aug 29, 2019 | Guilt by Association, One Writer's Journey | 11 comments

As a member of Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) since 2012, first as an Associate Member, and in 2015, as a Professional Author Member, it was an absolute honour to elected to the CWC Board of Directors as Regional Representative, Toronto/Southwestern Ontario (TO/SO), for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. In 2018-19, I assumed the role of Director for TO/SO, and this year, I accepted the nomination as Vice Chair, Canada, for 2019-20 (this will be followed by Chair, 2020-21, effective June 2020).

The primary mission of CWC is to promote Canadian crime writing and to raise the profile of Canadian crime writers with readers, reviewers, librarians, booksellers, and media. One of the ways they do that is to host the annual Arthur Ellis Awards. For those who aren’t familiar with the name Arthur Ellis, he was Canada’s official hangman from 1912 to 1935. You can read more about his life here.

The first Unhanged Arthur was awarded by the Crime Writers of Canada in 2007 as part of the CWC mandate to recognize and promote the careers of promising new crime writers. This year, the competition opens on Sept. 1 and closes on Oct. 15. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The competition is open to (1) Canadian citizens, no matter where they are living, and to writers, regardless of nationality, who have Permanent Resident status in Canada, and (2) who have never had a novel of any kind published commercially.
  • Contestants must have a completed novel manuscript (50,000-110,000 words) at the time of entry.
  • The fee to enter is $25 CAD.
  • Click here for complete details and registration form.

Good luck to all who enter!

11 Comments

  1. Ricky Bush
    Ricky Bush on September 6, 2019 at 4:07 pm

    Yay to You, Judy.

    • Judy Penz Sheluk
      Judy Penz Sheluk on September 6, 2019 at 5:30 pm

      hope all is well, Ricky!

  2. Karen Neary
    Karen Neary on August 29, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    A wonderful accomplishment, Judy! Congratulations!

    • Judy Penz Sheluk
      Judy Penz Sheluk on August 30, 2019 at 8:46 am

      Thanks Karen, hope I can make a difference. The past Chairs have been amazing!

      • Karen Neary
        Karen Neary on August 30, 2019 at 10:41 am

        I’m sure you’ll do an amazing job too, Judy!

  3. Bethany Maines
    Bethany Maines on August 29, 2019 at 12:56 pm

    Serving on a board is such a commitment. I commend you for your civic-mindedness to the writing community! Write on!

    • Judy Penz Sheluk
      Judy Penz Sheluk on August 29, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      Thanks Bethany! I think I get a lot of of it, too.

  4. PA (Pam) De Voe
    PA (Pam) De Voe on August 29, 2019 at 10:46 am

    Our mystery/crime community–and Canada’s in particular–is lucky to have such a dedicated and hard worker as you! Best in all your work today and in the years ahead.

  5. Carol Pouliot
    Carol Pouliot on August 29, 2019 at 9:16 am

    Congratulations, Judy! How wonderful that you give so much of your time for CWC.

    • Judy Penz Sheluk
      Judy Penz Sheluk on August 29, 2019 at 10:18 am

      Thanks Carol. It’s quite rewarding, although a lot of work.