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Anthony Awards

あんそにーしょう

Mystery literature award awarded by votes from participants at the annual Bouchercon convention.

Best NovelBest First NovelBest Paperback OriginalBest Short StoryCritical / Non-fictionSpecial ServiceOther wildcard-like categoriesBest Anthology or Collection
Established
1986
Organizer
Bouchercon World Mystery Convention (Bouchercon)
Category
Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Selection Method
Vote
Target
Newcomer
Frequency
1 per year
Application Deadline
around April
Status
Active

Description

The Anthony Award was established in 1986 to select and honor outstanding works and authors in the mystery and detective fiction field through voting by members (convention attendees) of the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. Named after Anthony Boucher, it features multiple categories such as novel, first novel, paperback original, short story, criticism/non-fiction, special award, and more, with winners announced each year at the Bouchercon venue.

Prize

Main Prize
Trophy and honor (primarily an honorary award). Cash prizes are generally none/unset.
  • Recognition and trophy at Bouchercon
  • Increased visibility and promotional benefits from winning
  • Recognition in special categories (lifetime achievement awards, etc.)

Selection

Selection Process

Nomination
Judges Bouchercon attendees (members) and organizers submit and manage candidates
Announcement Nominee lists are often published before, during, or after the convention
Voting (nominee selection)
Judges Voting by Bouchercon attendees (online/in-person voting, etc., methods vary by year)
Announcement Nominee results are officially announced
Final voting/winner determination
Judges Winners determined by votes from in-person attendees (Bouchercon members)
Announcement Winners announced at the Bouchercon award ceremony

Criteria

  • Literary quality of the work and mystery elements
  • Originality and storytelling skill
  • Support and popularity from readers (members)
  • Publication/release status for the relevant year and suitability for the category

Application Tips

Dos

  • Register as a Bouchercon member and attend the convention (to obtain voting eligibility)
  • Accurately prepare your work's publication information and metadata (to match the award year's eligibility conditions)
  • As a publisher or author, promote the work to readers and members before and after the convention
  • If possible, attend Bouchercon to interact with readers and industry professionals

Don''ts

  • Do not engage in vote buying or fraudulent acts (rule violation)
  • Do not nominate works with false information
  • Do not make overly aggressive voting solicitations or spammy promotions

From Judges

  • We (members) emphasize the story's originality and page-turning power
  • Character appeal and plot completeness are highly evaluated
  • Contribution to the genre and impact on readers are also considered important

Related Awards

  • Edgar Award (Mystery Writers of America)
  • Agatha Awards
  • Macavity Awards
  • Shamus Award (Private Eye Writers of America)
  • Bram Stoker Awards (horror/dark genre related)

Official Resources

https://www.bouchercon.com/

Past Winners

Edition 39 (2024)
Holly West ほりー・うぇすと Winner
Nancy Springer なんしー・すぷりんがー Winner
Timothy P. Egan てぃもしー・いーがん Winner
Nina Simon にな・さいもん Winner
Shawn Andre Cosby えす・えー・こすびー Winner
Tracy Clark とれいしー・くらーく Winner
Dru Ann Love どぅる・あん・らぶ Winner
Kristopher Zgorski くりすとふぁー・ずごるすきー Winner
Edition 38 (2023)
S. J. Rozan えす・じぇい・ろざん Winner
Nancy Springer なんしー・すぷりんがー Winner
Martin Edwards まーてぃん・えどわーず Winner
Nita Prose にーた・ぷろーす Winner
Kelley Garrett けりー・ぎゃれっと Winner
Wanda M Morris わんだ・えむ・もりす Winner
Catriona McPherson きゃとりおな・まくふぁーそん Winner
Jess Lourey じぇす・るーりー Winner
Barb Goffman ばーぶ・ごふまん Winner
Edition 37 (2022)
Hank Phillippi Ryan はんく・ふぃりっぴ・らいあん Winner
James Dover Grant りー・ちゃいるど Winner
Laurie R. King ろーりー・あーる・きんぐ Winner
Mia P Manansala みあ・ぴー・まなんさら Winner
Shawn Andre Cosby えす・えー・こすびー Winner
Jess Lourey じぇす・るーりー Winner
Shawn Andre Cosby えす・えー・こすびー Winner
Alan Orloff あらん・おるろふ Winner
Edition 36 (2021)
Heather Graham ひーざー・ぐらはむ Winner
Sarah Weinman さら・わいんまん Winner
David Heska Wanbli Weiden でいゔぃっど・へすか・わんぶり・わいでん Winner
Shawn Andre Cosby えす・えー・こすびー Winner
Jess Lourey じぇす・るーりー Winner
Alex Segura あれっくす・せぐら Winner
Richie Narvaez りっちー・なるばえす Winner
Edition 35 (2020)
Verena Rose ゔぇれな・ろーず Winner
Rita Owen りた・おーうぇん Winner
Shawn Reilly Simmons しょーん・らいりー・しもんず Winner
Mo Moulton もー・もーるとん Winner
Tara Laskowski たーら・らすこうすきー Winner
Hank Phillippi Ryan はんく・ふぃりっぴ・らいあん Winner
Gigi Pandian ぎぎ・ぱんでぃあん Winner
Alex Segura あれっくす・せぐら Winner
Jen Conley じぇん・こんりー Winner
Edition 34 (2019)
Michelle Eileen McNamara みしぇる・まくなまら Winner
Oyinkan Braithwaite おいきんか・ぶれいすうぇいと Winner
Lou Berney るー・ばーにー Winner
Lori Rader-Day ろり・れーだー・でい Winner
Shawn Andre Cosby えす・えー・こすびー Winner
Edition 33 (2018)
Gary Phillips げいりー・ふぃりっぷす Winner
David Grann でゔぃっど・ぐらん Winner
Kelley Garrett けりー・ぎゃれっと Winner
Attica Locke あてぃか・ろっく Winner
ジャングル・レッド・ライターズ じゃんぐる・れっど・らいたーず Winner
Lori Rader-Day ろり・れーだー・でい Winner
Hilary Davidson ひらりー・でいゔぃどそん Winner
Sue Grafton すー・ぐらふとん Winner
Edition 32 (2017)
Greg Herren ぐれっぐ・へれん Winner
Ruth Franklin るーす・ふらんくりん Winner
Joe Ide じょー・あいで Winner
Louise Penny るいーず・ぺにー Winner
B K Stevens びーけー・すてぃーぶんす Winner
James W. Ziskin じぇーむず・だぶりゅー・じすきん Winner
Megan Abbott めーがん・あぼっと Winner
April Henry えいぷりる・へんりー Winner
Edition 31 (2016)
Art Taylor あーと・ていらー Winner
Val McDermid ゔぁる・まくだーみっど Winner
Glen Erik Hamilton ぐれん・えりっく・はみるとん Winner
Chris Holm くりす・ほるむ Winner
Lou Berney るー・ばーにー Winner
Megan Abbott めーがん・あぼっと Winner
Joelle Charbonneau じょえる・しゃるぼのー Winner
Edition 30 (2015)
Hank Phillippi Ryan Winner
Lori Rader-Day Winner
Laura Lippman Winner
Catriona McPherson Winner
Art Taylor Winner
Edition 29 (2014)
Daniel Stashower Winner
Matt Coyle Winner
William Kent Krueger Winner
Catriona McPherson Winner
John Connolly Winner
Edition 28 (2013)
John Connolly Winner
Declan Burke Winner
Chris Pavone Winner
Louise Penny Winner
Johnny W. Shaw Winner
Dana Cameron Winner
Edition 27 (2012)
Charlaine Harris Winner
Sara J. Henry Winner
Louise Penny Winner
Julie Hyzy Winner
Dana Cameron Winner
Edition 26 (2011)
John Curran Winner
Hilary Davidson Winner
Jason Starr Winner
Louise Penny Winner
Duane Swierczynski Winner
Dana Cameron Winner
Lucinda Surber Winner
Stan Ulrich Winner
Sara Paretsky Special Award
Ali Karim Special Award
Edition 25 (2010)
P. D. James Winner
Sophie Littlefield Winner
Louise Penny Winner
Bryan Gruley Winner
Hank Phillippi Ryan Winner
Edition 24 (2009)
Chris Grabenstein Winner
Peter Mendelsund Winner
Jeffrey Marks Winner
Stieg Larsson Winner
Michael Joseph Connelly Winner
Julie Hyzy Winner
Sean Chercover Winner
Allen J. Hubin Special Award
Jon and Ruth Jordan Special Award
Edition 23 (2008)
Jon Lellenberg Winner
Daniel Stashower Winner
Charles Foley Winner
Tana French Winner
Laura Lippman Winner
P. J. Parrish Winner
Laura Lippman Winner
Lucinda Surber Winner
Stan Ulrich Winner
Robert Rosenwald Special Award
Barbara G. Peters Special Award
Jon and Ruth Jordan Special Award
Edition 22 (2007)
Jim Huang Winner
Austin Lugar Winner
Louise Penny Winner
Laura Lippman Winner
Dana Cameron Winner
Simon Wood Winner
James Sallis Special Award
Jim Huang Special Award
Edition 21 (2006)
Marv Lachman Winner
Jon and Ruth Jordan Winner
Chris Grabenstein Winner
William Kent Krueger Winner
Reed Farrel Coleman Winner
Barbara Seranella Winner
Robert B. Parker Special Award
Janet Rudolph Special Award
Edition 20 (2005)
Sohrab Habibion Winner
Max Allan Collins Winner
Harley Jane Kozak Winner
William Kent Krueger Winner
Jason Starr Winner
Elaine Viets Winner
Bill Pronzini Winner
Marcia Muller Winner
Edition 19 (2004)
Gary Warren Niebuhr Winner
P. J. Tracy Winner
Janet Quin-Harkin Winner
Laura Lippman Winner
Robin Burcell Winner
Janet Quin-Harkin Winner
J. K. Rowling Winner
Edition 18 (2003)
Michael Kellner Winner
Jim Huang Winner
Julia Spencer-Fleming Winner
Michael Joseph Connelly Winner
Robin Burcell Winner
Marcia Talley Winner
Edition 17 (2002)
Michael Storrings Winner
Tony Hillerman Winner
Charles James Box Jr. Winner
Dennis Lehane Winner
Charlaine Harris Winner
Bill Crider Winner
Penny Warner Winner
Doris Ann Norris Winner
Edition 16 (2001)
Lawrence Block Winner
Jim Huang Winner
Chris Aldrich Winner
Lynn Kaczmarek Winner
Qiu Xiaolong Winner
Val McDermid Winner
Kate Grilley Winner
Edward D. Hoch Winner
Edward D. Hoch Winner
Edition 15 (2000)
Willetta L. Heising Winner
Donna Andrews Winner
Peter Robinson Winner
Daphne du Maurier Winner
Laura Lippman Winner
Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie Winner
Meg Chittenden Winner
Jane Langton Winner
Edition 14 (1999)
George Easter Winner
William Kent Krueger Winner
Michael Joseph Connelly Winner
Laura Lippman Winner
Barbara D'Amato Winner
Len and June Moffatt Winner
Edition 13 (1998)
Michael Kellner Winner
James Dover Grant Winner
S. J. Rozan Winner
Rick Riordan Winner
Edward D. Hoch Winner
Jan Grape Winner
Edition 12 (1997)
Willetta L. Heising Winner
The Armchair Detective Winner
Dale Furutani Winner
Terris McMahan Grimes Winner
Michael Joseph Connelly Winner
Carolyn Wheat Winner
Donald E. Westlake Winner
Edition 11 (1996)
Pamela Patrick Winner
Kate Stine Winner
Sara Ann Freed Winner
Virginia Lanier Winner
The Armchair Detective Winner
Christopher McQuarrie Winner
Mary Willis Walker Winner
Harlan Coben Winner
St. Martin's Press Winner
Gar Anthony Haywood Winner
Marcia Muller Winner
Ann Rule Winner
The X-Files Winner
Edition 10 (1995)
Tony Hillerman Winner
B. A. Pike Winner
Quentin Tarantino Winner
Caleb Carr Winner
Sharyn McCrumb Winner
Sharyn McCrumb Winner
David Victor Canter Winner
Lynda La Plante Winner
Ruth Rendell Lifetime Achievement Award
Edition 9 (1994)
Martin Harry Greenberg Winner
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. Winner
Nevada Barr Winner
Marcia Muller Winner
Susan Dunlap Winner
Ann Rule Winner
Tony Hillerman Lifetime Achievement Award
Edition 8 (1993)
Ellen Nehr Winner
Barbara Neely Winner
Neil Jordan Winner
Margaret Maron Winner
Diane Mott Davidson Winner
Barbara D'Amato Winner
Hammond Innes Lifetime Achievement Award
Ralph McInerny Winner
Edition 7 (1992)
Sara Paretsky Winner
Maxim Jakubowski Winner
Sue Henry Winner
Peter Lovesey Winner
Liza Cody Winner
David Simon Winner
Charlotte MacLeod Lifetime Achievement Award
Edition 6 (1991)
Jon L. Breen Winner
Martin Harry Greenberg Winner
Patricia Cornwell Winner
Scott Turow Winner
Sue Grafton Winner
Rochelle Majer Krich Winner
James McCahery Winner
Susan Dunlap Winner
Mystery! Winner
William Campbell Gault Lifetime Achievement Award
Edition 5 (1990)
Karen Kijewski Winner
Woody Allen Winner
Sarah Caudwell Winner
Carolyn Hart Winner
Nancy Pickard Winner
Endeavour Morse Winner
Michael Francis Gilbert Lifetime Achievement Award
Edition 4 (1989)
Susan Elizabeth George Winner
Thomas Harris Winner
Carolyn Hart Winner
Dorothy Salisbury Davis Lifetime Achievement Award
Joan Kahn Achievement Award
Edition 3 (1988)
Gillian Roberts Winner
Daniel Petrie Jr. Winner
Tony Hillerman Winner
Robert Crais Winner
Robert Barnard Winner
Mystery! Winner
Edition 2 (1987)
Bill Crider Winner
Sue Grafton Winner
Robert Wright Campbell Winner
Sue Grafton Winner
Edition 1 (1986)
Jonathan Kellerman Winner
Earl W. Wallace Winner
Sue Grafton Winner
Nancy Pickard Winner
Linda Barnes Winner
Jessica Fletcher Winner
Barbara Louise Mertz Winner