Friday, January 28, 2005

The Gumshoe Awards on the ITW Website

The International Thriller Writers have an announcement of the new Gumshoe Award for Best Thriller, presented by Mystery Ink, on their website.*

Robert Crais helpfully inquires, "Why is an award for thrillers called the Gumshoe, which is a term usually associated with mysteries?"

Okay, it's a fair question. When Mystery Ink started giving the Gumshoe Awards a few years back, I racked my brain to think of a name for the award, and "Gumshoe" was the best I could come up with that wasn't already taken. Since back then we didn't make distinctions for mystery/thriller/etc. -- we just gave awards for Best Novel -- it didn't seem like that big of a deal.

This year we decided to split the award into separate categories: Best Mystery & Best Thriller. Now, of course, the name doesn't make a lot of sense for a thriller. But we're stuck with it.

I don't suppose anyone who wins will complain. And if they do... No Gumshoe for you!

*I've also been helping with their selection of the Must-Read Thrillers as well. There are some great books on the list so far, so check 'em out!