GRAND PRIZE $1,000

SECOND PRIZE $500

THIRD PRIZE $300

ENTRY FEE $0.00

TWO SILVER HONORABLE MENTIONS to TWO (2) writers with no published credits or no more than THREE (3) published stories total in any genre.

TEN (10) HONORABLE MENTIONS

The above winning/placing writers will be published in an anthology and have their names published in paid advertising and publicity mentions.

What genre of stories is accepted?

Mystery and crime in the noir/hardboiled style.

Why?

Paul loved noir in any time period. Stories in present day, old timey, or even the future qualify for the competition if they meet word count and format requirements.

* Writers may be published or unpublished, professional or amateur. This is why we say, "IF YOU CAN WRITE IT, YOU CAN WIN IT."

* Stories submitted must be unpublished, and never published.

* Writers must be American citizens or living in America as legal residents (for tax reasons).

* Stories must be set in America or, if futuristic, they must be set in a future America.

Is there such a thing as a hardboiled noir cozy?

Try us, you never know. We can take a joke, just like the next sap. 

* Word count 1,600 to 4,000 

* No A.I. writing, and we police stringently. 

* Submissions open January 2nd, 2027.   DO NOT SUBMIT YET. Details will post on how/where to submit.

* Submissions CLOSE February 28, 2027.

All submissions will receive emailed confirmation that their material was successfully received (if it was). 

Winner will be announced and prizes awarded early in 2028 with much fanfare and tooting of horns as well as sloshing of adult beverages.