Rules of Entry
Please read the rules carefully before submitting. Entry implies acceptance of the rules and failure to comply will result in disqualification.

Each Electronic Submissions should include:

1. One Microsoft Word document or PDF.
2. Short fiction of no more than 5,000 words. Any entries over 5,000 words will be disqualified.
3. All identifying information must be ONLY on the Title Page. No additional identifying information should appear anywhere in the pages of the manuscript, including in headers, file name, and acknowledgments, as this will result in disqualification.
4. Uploaded files should have exactly the same title as the manuscript, no more, no less.
5. Please check you are submitting the correct version of your work before uploading as mistakes cannot be rectified later. In order to run a fair contest for all entrants, revisions or missing pages will not be accepted under any circumstances. All submissions are final.
6. No faxed or mailed or emailed submissions please.
7. Simultaneous and multiple submissions are accepted. Please notify us of acceptance elsewhere.
8. Manuscripts will not be returned. They will be deleted after judging.

Attach the title page before page one, including title, word length, authors name and email address. This will be removed prior to the judging process.
Add the word count to the top right of page one.
Use Times Roman 12 pt font.
Double space.
One-inch margins on all sides.
Indent the first line of a new paragraph by a half-inch tab. Do not simply add additional spacing at the start of each paragraph.
No extra spacing between paragraphs.
Number the pages.
Save the file as a Microsoft Word document – .doc or .docx We also accept PDF.

Entries must be entirely your own work.
Entries must not have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast, have won or been placed in any other competition.

The Editors decision is final, and no individual correspondence can be entered into. Editors are unable to comment on individual entries. Judging is fair and unbiased. Cross-Border Crime Anthology supports the CLMP Code of Ethics for literary contests.

When you upload your story, you are agreeing to assign Bouchercon the rights to your story for one year following the publication date, upon which the rights will revert to you.

If you have any issues submitting your story, please reach out.
Editor: Olyn Fleming Ozbick
Email: anthology2026@bouchercon.com
For more information and for inquiries about the anthology, its authors, editor, and the book launch, please contact the Editor at anthology2026@bouchercon.com

Rules of Entry
Please read the rules carefully before submitting. Entry implies acceptance of the rules and failure to comply may result in disqualification.

Each Electronic Submissions should include:

1. One Microsoft Word document or PDF
2. Short fiction of no more than 5,000 words. Any entries over 5,000 words will be disqualified.
3. All identifying information must be ONLY on the Title Page. No additional identifying information should appear anywhere in the pages of the manuscript, including in headers, file name, and acknowledgments, as this will result in disqualification.
4. Uploaded files should have exactly the same title as the manuscript, no more, no less.
5. Please check you are submitting the correct version of your work before uploading as mistakes cannot be rectified later. In order to run a fair contest for all entrants, revisions or missing pages will not be accepted under any circumstances. All submissions are final.
6. No faxed or mailed or emailed submissions please.
7. Simultaneous and multiple submissions are accepted. Please notify us of acceptance elsewhere.
8. Manuscripts will not be returned. They will be deleted after judging.

Attach the title page before page one, including title, word length, authors name and email address. This will be removed prior to the judging process.
Add the word count to the top right of page one.
Use Times Roman 12 pt font.
Double space.
One-inch margins on all sides.
Indent the first line of a new paragraph by a half-inch tab. Do not simply add additional spacing at the start of each paragraph.
No extra spacing between paragraphs.
Number the pages.
Save the file as a Microsoft Word document – .doc or .docx We also accept PDF.

Entries must be entirely your own work.
Entries must not have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast, have won or been placed in any other competition.

The Editors’ decision is final, and no individual correspondence can be entered into . Editors are unable to comment on individual entries. Judging is fair and unbiased. Cross-Border Crime Anthology supports the CLMP Code of Ethics for literary contests.

When you upload your story, you are agreeing to assign Bouchercon the rights to your story for one year following the publication date, upon which the rights will revert to you.

Help
If you have any issues submitting your story, please reach out.
Editor: Olyn Fleming Ozbick
Email: anthology2026@bouchercon.com
For more information and for inquiries about the anthology, its authors, editor, and the book launch, please contact the Editor at anthology2026@bouchercon.com