Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence (formerly the Arthur Ellis Awards)

あーさー・えりすしょう

Annual literary award presented to Canadian crime and mystery works. Formerly known as Arthur Ellis Awards, organized by Crime Writers of Canada.

Crime/Mystery Novels (Best Novel, etc.)Debut Novel (Best First Novel)Novella (Best Novella)Short Story (Best Crime Short Story)Nonfiction (Best Crime Nonfiction)Juvenile/Young Adult (Best Juvenile or Young Adult Crime Book)French-language Works (Best Crime Book in French)Unpublished First Novel (Best Unpublished First Novel)Criticism/Reference (Genre Criticism/Reference)Play (Best Play)Lifetime Achievement/Special Awards (Grand Master, Derrick Murdoch, etc.)Best Crime Novel Set in CanadaWhodunit Award for Best Traditional Mystery

Established: 1984
Organizer: Crime Writers of Canada
Category: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Selection Method: Open call
Target: Newcomer
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around May
Status: Active

Description

Annual award by Crime Writers of Canada for Canadian crime/mystery literature. Formerly known as Arthur Ellis Awards (the name Arthur Ellis was removed in 2021 and changed to the current name). Selects outstanding works published in the previous year across multiple categories (novels, short stories, nonfiction, French-language works, juvenile/YA, unpublished first novels, etc.), with the awards ceremony usually held in May of the following year. The trophy (statuette) is designed by actor and stage designer Peter Blais.

Prize

Main Prize: Statuette (trophy) and recognition in publication and promotion from winning. Presence and amount of cash prizes vary by category and year.

Statuette (designed by Peter Blais)
Media exposure and promotion from winning each category
Career recognition and honor

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Entry / Nomination	Crime Writers of Canada accepts submissions from publishers and authors. Verifies category requirements.	—	Acceptance status follows the organizer's guidelines
First Round (Preliminary Selection)	Review and narrowing down by selection committee (writers, editors, critics, etc.)	—	Longlist/shortlist may be announced on the organizer's website or in press releases
Final Selection	Final judging panel for each category decides the winning work	—	Winners are announced at the awards ceremony and published on the official website and media
Announcement / Awards Ceremony	Organizer and announcement staff	—	Announced at the awards ceremony usually held in May. Results published on official website and media reports

Entry / Nomination

Judges Crime Writers of Canada accepts submissions from publishers and authors. Verifies category requirements.

Announcement Acceptance status follows the organizer's guidelines

First Round (Preliminary Selection)

Judges Review and narrowing down by selection committee (writers, editors, critics, etc.)

Announcement Longlist/shortlist may be announced on the organizer's website or in press releases

Final Selection

Judges Final judging panel for each category decides the winning work

Announcement Winners are announced at the awards ceremony and published on the official website and media

Announcement / Awards Ceremony

Judges Organizer and announcement staff

Announcement Announced at the awards ceremony usually held in May. Results published on official website and media reports

Criteria

Must be a Canadian crime/mystery work published in the previous year (in compliance with entry regulations)
Literary quality in narrative, structure, style, etc.
Originality within the genre and appeal to readers
Consistency in character depiction and plot, technical proficiency
Category-specific conditions (e.g., French works must be in French, unpublished first novels must be unpublished)

Application Tips

Dos

応募規程（対象期間・出版要件・カテゴリ）を必ず確認する
出版社や著者情報、正確な出版年を明記して提出する
作品の体裁（校正・最終稿）を整えて提出する
カテゴリが複数該当する場合は主催者の規程に従って適切に選ぶ

Don''ts

出版年度の要件を満たさない作品を応募しない
申請書類や副資料が不完全なまま提出しない
カテゴリを誤って申請しない（例：仏語作品を英語部門へ応募）
締切に遅れる

From Judges

物語の核（プロット）と人物描写の整合性を重視する
ジャンル期待（犯罪・ミステリー）を理解しつつ独創性を示すこと
文体の明瞭さと読ませる力が評価される
応募要件・フォーマットを守ることは審査において基本

Related Awards

Grand Master Award (Crime Writers of Canada) - Lifetime Achievement Award (biennial)
Derrick Murdoch Award - Special Achievement Award (Crime Writers of Canada)
Howard Engel Award
Edgar Awards (Mystery Writers of America Awards)
Other Canadian literary awards (e.g., Governor General's Awards)