Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award

Established: 2004
Organizer: Left Coast Crime (Lefty Awards / conference organizers)
Category: Genre Fiction
Selection Method: Vote
Target: Open
Frequency: 1 per year
Application Deadline: around January
Announcement Period: around February–April
Status: Active

Description

The Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award (Best Historical Mystery Novel) was established in 2004 and is presented as part of the Lefty Awards at the Left Coast Crime conference. It recognises mystery novels set before 1960; winners are selected through the Lefty Awards process associated with the Left Coast Crime convention (nominations/shortlist and attendee voting).

Prize

Main Prize: Lefty award recognition / trophy (presentation at Left Coast Crime)

Trophy/award presentation at Left Coast Crime
Listing in Left Coast Crime Lefty Awards archives and publicity

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Nomination	Organizers / volunteer award committee and convention participants (nominations and suggestions)	—	Nominations or longlist coordinated by Left Coast Crime organizers; details posted on Left Coast Crime channels.
Shortlist selection	Organizing committee / Left Coast Crime awards volunteers	—	Finalists (shortlist) published online and announced at the convention prior to the final vote.
Final vote & winner announcement	Conference participants (attendee vote)	—	Winner chosen by attendee voting and announced at the Left Coast Crime awards ceremony during the convention.

Nomination

Judges Organizers / volunteer award committee and convention participants (nominations and suggestions)

Announcement Nominations or longlist coordinated by Left Coast Crime organizers; details posted on Left Coast Crime channels.

Shortlist selection

Judges Organizing committee / Left Coast Crime awards volunteers

Announcement Finalists (shortlist) published online and announced at the convention prior to the final vote.

Final vote & winner announcement

Judges Conference participants (attendee vote)

Announcement Winner chosen by attendee voting and announced at the Left Coast Crime awards ceremony during the convention.

Criteria

Eligibility: novel covers events before 1960
Quality of writing, plotting and characterization
Historical authenticity and plausibility of period detail
Originality and contribution to the historical mystery subgenre

Application Tips

Dos

Confirm: Check if the publication meets the award criteria ("events set before 1960").
Publishers or authors should disseminate information about the work to Left Coast Crime affiliates and the community (e.g., exhibits, signings, panel participation).
Conduct thorough historical research and period verification to enhance the credibility of the era depiction.
Consider attending the conference to increase points of contact with readers and participants (since voting is conducted by conference attendees).

Don''ts

Do not misunderstand that there are direct submissions to the organizers or monetary commitments (Lefty Awards focus mainly on recognition and presentation).
Do not force works that do not meet the award criteria to fit.
Do not neglect period research and thereby damage reader trust.

From Judges

Both meticulous depiction of period details and the entertainment value as a story are evaluated.
Characterization and plot consistency are equally important as the historical setting.
Be mindful of the balance between originality and historical plausibility.

Related Awards

Lefty Awards — other categories (Best Mystery Novel, Best Humorous Mystery Novel, Best Début Mystery, etc.)
Participation in Left Coast Crime conference panels and events
Mystery Writers of America awards (e.g., Raven Award, Grand Master)
Regional and genre-specific awards for historical mystery novels (various literary prizes)