Our theme, Power Corrupts, is meant to encompass a wide range of storytelling options and any sub-genre within crime fiction, whether that be political, historical, cozy, traditional mystery, romance, suspense, noir and more.

The theme also lends itself to an exploration of power dynamics within an organization, a marriage, a family, partnership, a personality quirk, and more. These can be stories about resistance or submission, responses to active or passive aggression, questions about authority and the necessity of following or disobeying leadership. Any relationship presents this dynamic, and we want to see the unique, exciting ways you explore the concept.

To that end, we invite you to be creative, but ask that you ensure the theme is incorporated within your work, and that your story features a crime. Stories can take place anywhere, at any time.

Power Corrupts will feature 25 stories selected from our list of finalists. In addition, the Guest Editor will provide an introductory essay to the anthology. The convention Guests of Honor will also have the opportunity to submit a story for inclusion.

Authors whose work is selected for inclusion will receive a one-time payment of $75, a free copy of the anthology, and will be invited to attend a special signing at Bouchercon 2027 in Washington, DC.

Both attendees and non-attendees of Bouchercon are invited to submit stories for consideration. The only restrictions are for members of the Bouchercon DC Local Organizing Committee, who are not allowed to submit work for inclusion.

‍Entries will be received by the managing editor and assigned to a team of judges. Each entry will be read and evaluated by at least two judges. The managing editor, given their knowledge of the authorship, will not participate in the judging. The 40 stories that score the highest will then be sent (as blind copies) to the Guest Editor, who will choose the top 25 for inclusion. ‍

We adhere to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics

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

1. Each electronic submission should be submitted as a Word document (doc or docx).

2. The maximum word count is 4,000 words per story.

3. Only one story per contributor is allowed.

4. Please ensure you are submitting the final copy of your manuscript. Revisions will not be allowed.

5. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please immediately notify us of acceptance elsewhere.

6. Entries cannot have been published prior to submission. This includes self-publishing (work that appeared on your own web site, for example).

7. Manuscripts will not be returned.

8. Manuscripts should be formatted as follows:

a. Attach the title page before page one (this page will be removed prior to judging), including:

i. Title

ii. Word length

iii. Author’s name

iv. Email address

b. All identifying information must ONLY appear on the title page. No additional identifying information should appear anywhere in the pages of the manuscript.

c. Use Times Roman 12 pt font

d. Double space

e. One-inch margin, all sides

f. No extra spacing between paragraphs

g. Number the pages

9. Do we allow the use of AI?

a. Short Answer: No.

b. Long Answer: Authors shall not use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI),

or work from AI-generated text. Similarly, we will not use AI-generated editing, images, artwork, design, or other visual elements for the book cover or any interior artwork.

10. Please submit your story via this link.

Among the ways Bouchercon raises money for their chosen charity is by producing and selling an anthology, with the net proceeds donated to that charity. Anthology authors also have the option of donating their $75 payment directly to the Bouchercon 2027 charity.

If your story is selected, you are agreeing to grant the Publisher an exclusive license to publish your story for one year following the publication date.

We have answers! Please reach out to Managing Editor, E.A. Aymar.