Ngaio Marsh Awards
ナイオ・マーシュ賞
Annual literary award for New Zealand crime novels, mysteries, and thrillers.
Crime fictionMysteryThrillerNon-fiction (true crime)Younger ReadersBest First Novel
- Established
- 2010
- Organizer
- WORD Christchurch (Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival). Founder: Craig Sisterson (key figure in founding and launch)
- Category
- Genre Fiction
- Selection Method
- Open call
- Target
- Newcomer
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Announcement Period
- around October
- Status
- Active
Description
The Ngaio Marsh Awards, founded in 2010 by Craig Sisterson, is an annual literary award for New Zealand crime fiction, mysteries, thrillers (and related non-fiction or younger readers' works). Named after Dame Ngaio Marsh, winners are mainly announced at WORD Christchurch (Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival). Best First Novel was added in 2016, Best Non-Fiction in 2017, Younger Readers in 2021, with awards across multiple categories.
Prize
- Main Prize
- 2010–2012: Handmade trophy by sculptor + Ngaio Marsh book set + cash prize. From 2013: Framed plaque + Ngaio Marsh book set + cash prize (amount not disclosed)
- Original trophy (2010–2012)
- Framed plaque (from 2013)
- Set of Ngaio Marsh works
- Recognition and exposure at WORD Christchurch
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longlist | Selection committee creates the longlist. External guest judges or invited writers may be involved. | — | Longlist mainly announced around July (varies by year) |
| Shortlist | Continued selection by selection committee/panel. | — | Shortlist mainly announced around August to September |
| Final selection and winner determination | Final judging by selection committee (panel discussion and voting, etc.) | — | Winners announced at WORD Christchurch events, etc. (mainly September to October, varies by year) |
Longlist
Judges
Selection committee creates the longlist. External guest judges or invited writers may be involved.
Announcement
Longlist mainly announced around July (varies by year)
Shortlist
Judges
Continued selection by selection committee/panel.
Announcement
Shortlist mainly announced around August to September
Final selection and winner determination
Judges
Final judging by selection committee (panel discussion and voting, etc.)
Announcement
Winners announced at WORD Christchurch events, etc. (mainly September to October, varies by year)
Criteria
- Quality as genre fiction (plot, pacing, structure)
- Character portrayal and depth
- Originality
- Quality of style and expression
- Contribution to the genre and value as New Zealand literature
Application Tips
Dos
- 応募要項と対象カテゴリ（犯罪・ミステリー・スリラー等）を事前に確認する
- 出版社または著者として定められたフォーマット・締切に従って提出する
- 原稿・出版物は入念に校正し、プロットと登場人物の一貫性を確認する
- 応募書類に作品のジャンルと売り文句（1～2行の要約）を明確に書く
Don''ts
- ジャンル外の作品（犯罪／ミステリー／スリラーでない作品）を応募しない
- 締切前に校正や編集を怠って不完全な原稿を提出する
- 応募規程やフォーマットを無視して提出する
From Judges
- 強いプロット構成と信頼できる人物描写を重視する
- オリジナリティとジャンル内での新しい視点を評価する
- 明確な文体とリズム（テンポ）を大切にする
Related Awards
- Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
- Other New Zealand literary awards (regional book awards or festival open calls)
- Related events and competitions at WORD Christchurch