A Suggestion for New Crime Fiction Awards
There are a bunch of crime fiction awards out there, honoring some of the best novels and short stories published in the preceding year. Some is specialize in specific subgenres, but with hardly any exceptions, they all cover complete works.
This is why I suggest some new awards, focusing on specific aspects of the works. I’ve noticed that many works may excel in some aspects, such as prose style, while failing in others, like plotting and cluing. Meanwhile, some books never receive award nominations despite triumphing spectacularly at some features of creative writing.
In these awards, authors or publishers would submit the whole book in some cases, or just a chapter or some pages, depending on the category. Here are some of my suggestions:
CHARACTERIZATION
One of the biggest problems with crime novels (and many other novels) is that the characters are flat or trite. Additionally, how many recent fictional detectives have become fixtures of the public imagination on a par with the great sleuths of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction? This is why there needs to be a Best New Detective award, for the first novel appearance of a great, original detective, and a Best Recurring Detective award, for the newest appearance of a detective in a series that has at least two entries. Memorability, originality, and uniqueness will be qualifying factors, as well as character development or general likeability of recurring detectives in series novels. Not only that, but the judges should ask the question, how would this book be different if an alternative sleuth were inserted in the existing detective’s place?
In a comparable vein, there would be a Best Sidekick or Assistant award for the best “Watson” character, and a Best Villain award, not just for the killer, but for antihero protagonists, master criminals, and generally unpleasant people who may not be actual criminals. I would also propose a Best Relationship award, celebrating not just romantic relationships, but friendships, family relationships, and even human/pet connections. This could also include antagonistic hero/villain relationships, boss/employee relationships, and any other great connection between two characters. I’d also push for a Best Character Arc for a single-appearance character in a novel.
PLOTTING
I’d appreciate an award celebrating the Most Original Premise, as well as Best Clue, honoring subtle, clever, or tricky pieces of evidence pointing in the direction of the killer. Best Denouement, featuring the reveal and explanation of the clues, would also be a worthy idea, as would Most Shocking Moment.
OTHER TECHNICAL SKILLS
Best Dialogue would go to the snappiest, wittiest, or most distinctive words spoken by characters, as would Best Action Scene and Most Gripping First Chapter, for first chapters that make readers really want to read the rest of the book. I believe the Edgars had a Best Cover Art at one point, and that really needs to be brought back. I also recommend a Best Cover Blurb for the paragraphs summarizing the book that most make readers want to read the book.
These are just a few ideas, as characterization, plotting, and other little details tend to be unappreciated, in my opinion.
What are your thoughts? Would you like to see these awards? Do you have any ideas for other categories?
–Chris Chan
Chris Chan’s anthology Of Course He Pushed Him and Other Sherlock Holmes Stories Volumes 1 & 2 was released on June 22nd. His first novel, Sherlock’s Secretary, was released by MX Publishing. His Agatha-nominated book Murder Most Grotesque: The Comedic Crime Fiction of Joyce Porter was published by Level Best Books. His first non-fiction book, Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind “A Scandal in Bohemia” is available for sale at Amazon.com and the MX Publishing website, as well as at Book Depository (with free worldwide shipping there). It is also available in a Kindle edition.
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