The Scarlet Stiletto Awards has several categories. You can enter as many as you think are relevant for no extra cost.
Here are the category definitions:
Art and Crime
The story involves art and crime. It can include artists, the art world, galleries, art collections, museums, theft,
fakes, fraud, forgeries or heists. Art forms include painting, drawing, sculpture, jewellery and photography.
Body in the Library
The story must include the words ‘body in the library’. The action need not be set entirely in a library, and the
protagonist need not be a library professional.
Cross-genre
A cross-genre story mixes writing genres, for example crime with horror, crime with speculative fiction, crime
with fantasy or crime with science fiction.
Forensic Clue
The story must be inspired by this image of a pair of stilettos, a notebook and an Australian passport.
Great Film Idea
The story offers inspiration for the creation of a film (for cinema and/or television release). Its film-worthy
characteristics are not limited to aspects of the storyline; characters, dialogue, setting and other features
may incorporate stimulating ideas for a film-maker. Stories must be written in prose, not as scripts.
Malice Domestic
The action usually takes place in a family or domestic setting, but this is not essential. Suspects/perpetrators
and victims should know one another. The crime centres on a small number of individuals rather than
institutions. Violence, if any, is not excessive or gratuitously detailed. No explicit sex. The protagonist
contributes to the solving of the crime (rather than being an anti-hero).
Most Satisfying Retribution
The story leads to an outcome featuring retribution (payback, punishment). From the point of view of the
protagonist (and possibly others, including readers), this retribution is suited to the crime and provides the
satisfaction of seeing justice done.
Mystery with History
The story must have a historical theme or components and involve a crime/mystery. It may be set anywhere,
and in any era or eras. The protagonist need not be an expert in history.
Thriller
A thriller is a dark, engrossing, plot-driven story, full of excitement, expectation and/or dread. It can be an
action-filled, edge-of-the-seat drama, a quest to prevent disasters, or a thrilling contest against an adversary.
Young Writer
The author must be under 19 years of age as at 31 August 2025.