Anthony Awards

The Anthony Awards are literary awards presented annually since 1986 at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, honoring outstanding works in mystery, crime, and related fiction and nonfiction genres.^[1][2] Named after Anthony Boucher (1911–1968), a pioneering mystery author, critic, and co-founder of the Mystery Writers of America, the awards recognize excellence across diverse formats and subgenres of the field.^[1][3] The awards encompass multiple categories, including Best Hardcover/Mystery Novel, Best First Novel, Best Paperback or E-Book Original, Best Short Story, Best Critical or Nonfiction Work, Best Anthology or Collection, Best Historical Mystery, Best Children's/Young Adult Novel, and specialized ones such as Best Cozy/Humorous Mystery and Best Paranormal Mystery.^[2][1] Nominees are typically books, stories, or works published in the preceding year, with eligibility open to a wide range of mystery-related publications.^[2] Winners are determined by popular vote from registered attendees and guests at Bouchercon, the annual convention dedicated to mystery literature, ensuring a community-driven selection process.^[2][1] Over nearly four decades, the Anthony Awards have become one of the most prestigious honors in the mystery genre, with notable past recipients including Dennis Lehane for Mystic River (2002 Best Novel) and Peter Robinson for In a Dry Season (2000 Best Novel).^[2] Recent winners, such as Kellye Garrett for Missing White Woman (2025 Best Novel) and S.A. Cosby for All the Sinners Bleed (2024 Best Novel), highlight the awards' ongoing influence in spotlighting diverse voices and innovative storytelling in crime fiction.^[4][5] The ceremony, held during Bouchercon events, fosters a vibrant gathering of authors, fans, and professionals, underscoring the awards' role in celebrating and advancing the mystery community.^[2][4]

Introduction

Background and Naming

The Anthony Awards are named in honor of Anthony Boucher, the pseudonym of William Anthony Parker White (1911–1968), a pivotal figure in the development of mystery fiction.^[6] Boucher co-founded the Mystery Writers of America in 1945, serving as its president in 1951, and was renowned for his multifaceted contributions as an author, editor, and critic.^[7] His work helped elevate the genre's standards and visibility during the mid-20th century.^[3] Boucher's influence extended prominently to Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, where he served as a chief critic and contributed significantly to its editorial direction starting in the 1940s, including writing stories and reviews that shaped contemporary mystery writing. He also penned several acclaimed mystery novels, such as The Case of the Seven Sneezers (1942), and edited anthologies that showcased emerging talent in the field.^[8] These efforts underscored his role in fostering a vibrant community of mystery writers and enthusiasts.^[9] The awards, established in 1986, are presented annually by the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, an event also named after Boucher to celebrate his legacy in the genre.^[2] This connection ties the honors directly to Boucher's foundational impact on mystery fiction since the convention's inception as a gathering for fans and professionals.^[10]

Purpose and Significance

The Anthony Awards aim to recognize excellence in mystery and crime fiction across diverse formats, including novels, short stories, anthologies, and nonfiction works, encompassing various subgenres such as cozy mysteries, thrillers, and historical crime narratives.^[11] Presented annually at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, these awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the genre by honoring authors whose works demonstrate innovative storytelling, compelling characters, and thematic depth within the mystery field.^[12] Unlike jury-selected honors such as the Edgar Awards, where nominations and winners are determined by appointed committees of experts, the Anthony Awards are uniquely fan-voted, with ballots cast exclusively by registered Bouchercon attendees who nominate and select recipients from eligible publications of the previous year.^[11][13] This democratic process fosters direct engagement from the mystery community, allowing readers and enthusiasts to influence recognition and often amplifying grassroots favorites that might otherwise receive less attention in more insular judging systems.^[14] The significance of the Anthony Awards lies in their role as one of the most prestigious accolades in mystery literature, frequently propelling recipients' careers by increasing visibility, sales, and opportunities for underrepresented voices in the genre.^[15] For instance, post-2000 winners have included diverse authors such as S.A. Cosby, whose novel All the Sinners Bleed earned the 2024 Best Novel award, and Liz Moore, whose The God of the Woods won the 2025 Best Novel award, spotlighting narratives that broaden the genre's appeal and inclusivity.^[16][17] Similarly, Attica Locke's Bluebird, Bluebird received the 2018 Best Novel honor, underscoring the awards' contribution to elevating stories from Black perspectives in crime fiction.^[18] Through such recognitions, the Anthonys help sustain the vitality of mystery writing by promoting a wider array of cultural viewpoints and encouraging innovation beyond traditional tropes.

History

Establishment and Early Years

The Anthony Awards were established in 1986 to honor excellence in mystery fiction, presented annually at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention and named in tribute to the influential critic and writer Anthony Boucher.^[12] The inaugural ceremony took place during Bouchercon XVII in Baltimore, Maryland, where attendees voted to select winners from nominated works published in the previous year.^[19] At their inception, the awards featured categories including Best Novel, Best First Novel, Best Paperback Original, Best Short Story, Best Movie, Best TV Series, and Grand Master, reflecting the convention's emphasis on recognizing both established authors and emerging talents across formats in traditional mystery writing, including multimedia. The 1986 winners underscored the awards' early alignment with classic private eye and procedural mysteries. Sue Grafton's "B" Is for Burglar, the second installment in her Kinsey Millhone alphabet series, claimed the Best Novel honor, exemplifying the era's appreciation for witty, character-centered investigations by resilient female detectives in a male-dominated field.^[18] Other inaugural recipients included Jonathan Kellerman for Best First Novel with When the Bough Breaks, a psychological thriller introducing forensic pathologist Alex Delaware, and Nancy Pickard for Best Paperback Original with Say No to Murder.^[20][21] These selections highlighted the awards' role in spotlighting accessible, plot-twisty stories that appealed to Bouchercon's dedicated fanbase of mystery enthusiasts.^[1] In the subsequent early years through the late 1980s, the Anthonys maintained their attendee-voted format while convening at rotating Bouchercon locations, such as San Diego in 1987 and Philadelphia in 1989, fostering a growing sense of community among mystery readers and writers.^[19] The Best Short Story category, introduced in 1986, saw Sue Grafton's "The Parker Shotgun" win in 1987, reinforcing the awards' commitment to diverse storytelling within the mystery tradition.^[22]

Evolution and Milestones

Following its establishment in 1986 at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, the Anthony Awards underwent significant evolution in the 1990s, expanding beyond core fiction categories to encompass critical analysis and nonfiction elements of the mystery genre. In 1991, the Best Critical Work category was introduced, recognizing outstanding scholarly or analytical contributions to mystery literature and broadening the awards' scope to honor nonfiction alongside narrative works. This addition reflected the growing academic and critical interest in the genre during the decade, with subsequent years seeing further refinements, such as the introduction of Best True Crime in 1992 to address the rising popularity of real-life crime narratives.^[23] The 2000s marked a period of diversification in response to evolving genre trends, including the rise of subgenres like historical and young adult mysteries. In 2002, the Best Young Adult Mystery category was added, acknowledging the increasing prominence of age-specific storytelling within crime fiction and encouraging recognition of works appealing to younger readers amid broader genre expansion. By 2004, the Best Historical Mystery category was introduced, signaling the awards' adaptation to the post-2000 surge in historical-themed mysteries that blended period settings with suspenseful plots, thereby enhancing the inclusivity of the honors for specialized narrative styles. These milestones underscored the awards' responsiveness to the mystery community's shifting interests, including greater emphasis on humorous and historical elements without creating dedicated categories for the latter but through expanded eligibility and voting trends.^[24] In the 2010s and beyond, the Anthony Awards adapted to digital transformations in publishing and content consumption, incorporating categories that reflected technological advancements. The 2011 introduction of Best Website/Blog highlighted the emergence of online platforms for mystery discussions and promotion, evolving into the Best Online Content category by the late 2010s to encompass podcasts, blogs, and digital media. This shift mirrored the genre's migration to virtual spaces, ensuring the awards remained relevant in an era of e-books and interactive online storytelling, while maintaining a focus on quality and innovation across formats. In 2023, the Best Paperback Original category was renamed Best Paperback/E-Book/Audiobook Original to explicitly include audiobooks.^[25][11]

Categories

Current Categories

The Anthony Awards recognize excellence across seven fixed categories in mystery fiction, plus up to three additional "wild-card" categories selected annually by the local organizing committee, focusing on works published in the preceding calendar year and presented at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.^[11][5] These categories cover diverse formats, subgenres, and media within the crime and mystery genre, reflecting evolving trends in publishing and reader interests.^[17] Fixed categories (as per Bouchercon standing rules, amended 2024):

• Best Hardcover Novel: This category honors the top mystery novel published in hardcover format, typically for established authors and excluding debuts, emphasizing narrative depth and innovation in traditional print publishing.^[17]
• Best First Novel: It awards outstanding debut works by new authors in the mystery genre, highlighting fresh voices and promising talent regardless of publication format.^[17]
• Best Paperback Original/E-Book/Audiobook Original Novel: Recognizing format-specific excellence, this category celebrates original mystery novels first released in paperback, e-book, or audiobook formats, often prioritizing accessible and innovative storytelling for broader audiences.^[17]
• Best Short Story: This award goes to the superior mystery short fiction piece, valuing concise plotting, character development, and atmospheric tension in limited word counts.^[26]
• Best Anthology or Collection: It acknowledges the finest compiled works of mystery stories or author collections, focusing on editorial curation, thematic coherence, and collective impact within the genre.^[5]
• Best Critical/Non-Fiction: This category salutes the leading works of analysis, biography, or documentation related to mystery and crime literature, advancing scholarly or popular understanding of the field.^[17]
• Best Juvenile/Young Adult: Honoring mysteries tailored for younger readers, it rewards engaging, age-appropriate narratives that introduce core genre elements like suspense and deduction.^[5]

Wild-card categories for 2025:

• Best Historical Mystery: This award recognizes period-specific mysteries set in the past, blending historical accuracy with compelling crime-solving elements.^[5]
• Best Humorous/Cozy Mystery: It celebrates lighthearted or comedic entries in the genre, often featuring amateur sleuths, cozy settings, and witty resolutions over graphic violence.^[5]
• Best Paranormal Mystery: This category highlights mysteries incorporating supernatural or otherworldly elements, merging speculative fiction with traditional detective tropes.^[5]

Special awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award, are also presented to honor enduring contributions to the mystery field.^[26]

Historical Changes to Categories

The Anthony Awards began with a core set of categories in 1986, including Best Novel, Best First Novel, and Best Short Story, but expanded in the early 1990s to encompass broader aspects of the mystery genre. The Best Critical/Non-Fiction category was introduced for works published in 1991 (presented in 1992) to honor outstanding works of criticism, biography, and non-fiction related to crime and mystery literature, reflecting the growing importance of analytical contributions to the field.^[23] This addition allowed recognition of editors like Jon L. Breen and Martin H. Greenberg, who won for Synod of Sleuths: Essays on Judeo-Christian Detective Fiction. Similarly, the Best Anthology category emerged in 1995 as Best Anthology/Short Story Collection, evolving by 1998 into a dedicated Best Anthology award to celebrate curated collections of mystery stories, with early winners including Malice Domestic 7 edited by Barbara D'Amato.^[27] During the 2000s, the awards adapted to the diversification of mystery subgenres, adding categories that addressed emerging reader interests. The Best Historical category was established in 2004 to spotlight mysteries set in historical contexts, with Rhys Bowen's For the Love of Mike taking the inaugural prize, acknowledging the rising popularity of period-specific crime fiction.^[24] In 2009, the Best Children's/Young Adult category was introduced to include works for younger audiences, exemplified by Chris Grabenstein's win for The Crossroads, thereby broadening the awards' scope beyond adult fiction.^[28] Additionally, the Lifetime Achievement Award debuted in 2005, first awarded to Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini, to honor sustained contributions to the genre over decades.^[29] In response to the digital revolution, the Best Online Content category was added in 2018 as a wild-card, recognizing excellence in mystery-related blogs, podcasts, and websites, with Jungle Red Writers receiving the first honor for their influential group blog.^[30] Wild-card categories like Best Online Content can vary annually based on the local organizing committee's selections and were not included in the 2025 awards, which featured Best Historical Mystery, Best Humorous/Cozy Mystery, and Best Paranormal Mystery instead.^[11] The awards have also incorporated occasional wild-card categories, as permitted by Bouchercon's standing rules, allowing the local organizing committee to propose up to three additional categories tailored to contemporary trends, such as special recognitions for innovative formats.^[11] While no major mergers have been documented, category refinements have occurred periodically, ensuring the Anthonys remain relevant to evolving publishing landscapes without exhaustive listings of every variation.

Selection Process

Nomination and Voting Procedures

The nomination process for the Anthony Awards is open to full-time registrants of the current and previous Bouchercon conventions, including guests of honor, who submit their selections via online forms between February 28 and April 30 each year.^[11] Eligible works must belong to the crime or mystery genre and have been published between January 1 and December 31 of the calendar year preceding the convention.^[11] For the Best First Novel category, the author must not have previously published any novels in any genre.^[11] Certain categories, such as Best Hardcover Mystery Novel, restrict eligibility to works originally published in hardcover only, excluding simultaneous releases in other formats.^[11] During the nomination phase, voters may select up to five candidates per category, with all choices given equal weight, and any duplicate submissions from the same voter counted as a single entry.^[11] The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) tallies the votes, and the top five candidates receiving the most votes in each category advance as nominees.^[11] Ties for fifth place are included among the nominees unless the tied votes represent less than 5% of the total ballots cast in that category.^[11] The LOC announces the nominees 60 days before the convention begins.^[11] Final voting for winners is restricted to registered full-time attendees at the annual Bouchercon convention and occurs during the event using either paper ballots or an electronic system, as decided by the LOC.^[11] Day-pass registrants are typically ineligible unless specifically permitted by the LOC.^[11] Voters select their preferred nominee from the five finalists in each category, and the candidate with the plurality of votes wins, with one award presented per category; ties are possible but have been rare in practice.^[11][31] The LOC appoints a secure committee to count the votes, maintaining confidentiality of the results except for the announced winners, and strictly enforces deadlines with no acceptance of late ballots.^[11]

Ceremony and Presentation

The Anthony Awards are presented annually during the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, typically as part of the Saturday evening banquet or closing events in a dedicated ballroom. The convention rotates host cities each year to celebrate the global mystery community; the 2025 ceremony, for instance, took place on September 6 in the Carondelet Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[32][33] The format involves live announcements of category winners by an emcee, with recipients invited onstage to accept their awards and deliver brief acceptance speeches. Winners are determined by votes cast by registered Bouchercon attendees. The physical trophies, redesigned in 2022 to honor the awards' namesake, feature a pipe and bowtie motif symbolizing Anthony Boucher's iconic style as a mystery critic and editor.^[34][11] A tradition of the event includes post-ceremony activities such as author panels, signings, or entertainment like music and film screenings, fostering further interaction among writers, fans, and publishers in the mystery genre.^[35][32]

Notable Winners

Influential Authors and Works

Sue Grafton achieved notable success in the Anthony Awards during the 1980s and 1990s, securing three wins for her Kinsey Millhone series novels, including B Is for Burglar in 1986 and C Is for Corpse in 1987 for Best Novel, which highlighted her pioneering contributions to the female private eye subgenre.^[36][37] Her later recognition came posthumously in 2018 with the Bill Crider Award for Best Novel in a Series for Y Is for Yesterday, underscoring the enduring impact of her alphabet series on mystery fiction.^[38] Louise Penny emerged as a dominant force in the 2010s, winning five Anthony Awards for Best Novel with her Inspector Gamache series: The Brutal Telling in 2010, Bury Your Dead in 2011, A Trick of the Light in 2012, The Beautiful Mystery in 2013, and A Great Reckoning in 2017, establishing her as a master of cozy yet psychologically complex village mysteries.^[18] These victories solidified Penny's reputation for blending intricate plotting with explorations of human frailty, influencing contemporary literary crime fiction.^[39] Michael Connelly also garnered four Best Novel wins spanning the 1990s and 2000s for his Harry Bosch thrillers: The Poet in 1997, Blood Work in 1998, City of Bones in 2003, and The Brass Verdict in 2009, cementing his status as a leading voice in police procedural narratives.^[18][40] Connelly's awards emphasized his skill in grounding high-stakes investigations in authentic legal and forensic details, shaping the modern thriller landscape.^[41] Among landmark works, Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs won the 1989 Best Novel award, profoundly influencing the thriller genre by popularizing sophisticated psychological profiling and iconic antagonists like Hannibal Lecter, which elevated crime fiction's mainstream appeal.^[40] More recently, S.A. Cosby's All the Sinners Bleed claimed the 2024 Best Novel honor, acclaimed for its unflinching examination of racial injustice and rural American violence, advancing the integration of social commentary in hard-boiled noir.^[42] Anthony Award victories have significantly propelled recipients' careers by enhancing visibility within the mystery community and beyond, often leading to expanded series and broader readership; for instance, Penny's debut win for Still Life in 2007 launched her long-running Gamache series into international bestseller status.^[43][44] Similarly, Connelly's early awards facilitated the evolution of his Bosch character across dozens of novels and adaptations, demonstrating how such recognition fosters sustained creative output and commercial success.^[45]

Winners by Decade Overview

The Anthony Awards, established in 1986, began by spotlighting hardboiled classics that defined the mystery genre's gritty roots, often featuring tough investigators and psychological depth. Early winners included Sue Grafton's B Is for Burglar for Best Novel in 1986, a pioneering female PI tale, and her "C" Is for Corpse in 1987, reinforcing the appeal of no-nonsense private eye narratives amid a landscape of traditional suspense. Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs won in 1989, a chilling thriller that captured the era's fascination with serial killers and forensic intrigue.^[46] In the 1990s, winners reflected a rise in procedural mysteries, emphasizing detailed police work and institutional dynamics over lone-wolf detectives. Michael Connelly's The Poet took the Best Novel award in 1997, blending investigative journalism with a cross-country manhunt to highlight the genre's growing sophistication in plot mechanics. Other honorees, such as Nevada Barr's Blind Descent in 1999, extended this trend into specialized settings like national parks, showcasing procedurals' versatility.^[27] The 2000s marked a diversification in winner styles, incorporating more literary crime fiction that tackled social issues and character-driven stories, broadening beyond pure action. Laura Lippman's Every Secret Thing won Best Novel in 2004, a poignant exploration of child abductions and class divides that exemplified the era's shift toward nuanced, emotionally resonant narratives. This period also saw repeated successes for authors like Michael Connelly, whose City of Bones claimed the prize in 2003, maintaining procedural strength while the field evolved.^[24] During the 2010s, the awards increasingly emphasized diversity in authorship, perspectives, and global settings, fostering inclusivity within mystery literature. Louise Penny's Bury Your Dead, set in Quebec's Indigenous and French communities, won Best Novel in 2011, illustrating the decade's focus on cultural depth and ensemble casts. Penny's dominance, with multiple wins including The Brutal Telling in 2010, underscored this trend toward varied voices.^[25] The 2020s have highlighted social justice themes, with winners addressing systemic racism, inequality, and personal resilience in contemporary contexts. S.A. Cosby's All the Sinners Bleed, featuring a Black sheriff battling entrenched prejudice in rural Virginia, earned Best Novel in 2024. Similarly, Liz Moore's The God of the Woods, a multilayered tale of disappearance and family trauma in the Adirondacks, won in 2025, continuing the emphasis on societal critiques through intimate storytelling.^[16][5]