Overview of the Bouchercon 2020 Anthology
The Bouchercon 2020 Anthology is a crime and mystery fiction collection associated with the world’s premier mystery convention. Each year, the anthology brings together original short stories from both established and emerging writers, celebrating the full spectrum of crime writing: from classic whodunits to psychological suspense, noir, and thrillers.
The official call for entries is hosted on the Bouchercon 2020 website under the anthology section. There, writers will find the most current and authoritative rules, updates, and deadlines for the submission cycle. While those details may shift slightly from year to year, the core expectations for professionalism, originality, and genre relevance remain constant.
Theme and Tone: Writing for a Mystery-Focused Audience
Every Bouchercon anthology is built around a specific concept or mood that unifies the stories. Writers should carefully study the announced theme for the 2020 edition and treat it as more than a decorative prompt. Instead, the theme should influence setting, character motivation, plot twists, and even narrative voice.
Understanding Crime and Mystery Requirements
Because this anthology is tied to Bouchercon, a convention dedicated to crime and mystery fiction, submissions should clearly fit within or closely orbit those genres. Successful stories typically include at least one of the following elements:
- A crime at the center of the narrative, whether on- or off-stage
- A puzzle, investigation, or mystery to be solved
- A strong sense of suspense, tension, or imminent danger
- Moral ambiguity, conflicting motives, or hidden secrets
The tone can range from dark and gritty to light and humorous, as long as the story maintains narrative drive and stakes that matter to the characters. Think in terms of emotional engagement: readers should be compelled to keep turning pages, eager to discover what really happened and why.
Official Call for Entries: What Writers Need to Know
The official call for entries, accessible via the anthology section of the Bouchercon 2020 website, acts as the central guide for contributors. It typically outlines the submission window, word count range, formatting standards, eligibility, and rights. Writers are expected to read those guidelines thoroughly before preparing or sending any material.
Typical Submission Window and Deadlines
The Bouchercon anthology usually sets clear opening and closing dates for receiving entries. Submissions received before or after this window are generally not considered, regardless of quality. Mark the deadlines on your calendar and aim to submit several days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Word Count and Story Length
Most crime anthologies specify a target range to help editors assemble a balanced collection. While the exact word count for the Bouchercon 2020 Anthology will be published in the official call for entries, writers can expect guidelines that typically fall somewhere in the short-story range. Stories that substantially exceed or fall short of this range may be disqualified or placed at a disadvantage.
Eligibility and Originality
Entries are generally required to be original, previously unpublished works. This means the story should not have appeared in print, digital magazines, self-published editions, or public websites and blogs. Reprints or revisions of previously published stories are usually not allowed unless specifically mentioned in the official guidelines.
Eligibility may also address author status (for example, whether international submissions are welcome, or whether there are any restrictions related to past publication in Bouchercon anthologies). Always confirm your eligibility before submitting.
Formatting and Submission Best Practices
Professional formatting shows respect for the editors and allows them to focus on the story itself. While the Bouchercon 2020 guidelines provide definitive requirements, the following practices are widely accepted in the industry:
Standard Manuscript Formatting
- Use a readable, standard font such as Times New Roman or a similar serif typeface.
- Double-space the manuscript with a clear font size, commonly 12-point.
- Include page numbers to avoid confusion during the review process.
- Use standard margins to transmit a clean, uncluttered document.
File type, naming conventions, and submission method (such as an online form or upload portal) will be specified on the official call for entries. Follow these instructions exactly to prevent your submission from being discarded for technical reasons.
Crafting a Compelling Mystery Story for the Anthology
To stand out in a competitive field, a Bouchercon anthology submission needs more than a clever twist. It should deliver an immersive experience, strong characters, and a satisfying resolution that aligns with the anthology’s theme.
Building Characters with Secrets and Stakes
In crime and mystery fiction, characters often hide truths from each other—and sometimes from themselves. Give your protagonist clear stakes: something to lose if the mystery remains unsolved or the crime goes unexposed. Likewise, antagonists and suspects should possess credible motives, whether driven by desperation, ambition, fear, or vengeance.
A strong short story typically focuses on a small cast of vivid, memorable characters. Use concise description and carefully chosen details to sketch who they are, what they want, and what they fear most.
Setting and Atmosphere
Setting is crucial in crime fiction, shaping mood, pacing, and plot possibilities. Consider how location influences the crime, the investigation, and the characters’ choices. A cramped urban apartment, a quiet suburban street, a coastal resort, or a windswept rural town each create different kinds of pressure and opportunity for wrongdoing.
Use sensory details to bring the setting to life, but avoid overloading the narrative with description. Every detail should either build atmosphere or reveal character.
Pacing, Clues, and Fair Play
Readers of Bouchercon anthologies are usually seasoned fans of crime and mystery. They appreciate fair play: clues should exist on the page, even if artfully concealed among red herrings. Balance the pace so that the story never drags but still offers enough depth to satisfy careful readers.
- Introduce the central conflict early, ideally in the opening pages.
- Plant clues and misdirection throughout the narrative, not just at the beginning and end.
- Ensure that the resolution feels earned; avoid last-minute revelations that were never foreshadowed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Anthology Submissions
The competition for inclusion in the Bouchercon 2020 Anthology is typically intense. Avoiding common pitfalls can dramatically improve your chances of catching the editors’ attention.
Ignoring the Guidelines
Overlooking basic rules is one of the fastest ways to be rejected. Stories that exceed word limits, disregard formatting requests, or fall outside the crime and mystery focus are often dismissed before the editors even engage with the content. Treat guidelines as non-negotiable.
Weak Endings or Unresolved Plots
Many otherwise strong submissions falter in the final pages. A vague or rushed conclusion can leave readers unsatisfied. Make sure your story’s resolution addresses the central question or crime, provides emotional closure, and aligns with any clues laid earlier. Open-ended stories can work if they are clearly deliberate and thematically resonant, but they should never feel incomplete.
Clichés and Overfamiliar Tropes
Classic elements like private investigators, small-town secrets, and locked rooms can still feel fresh when handled with originality. The problem arises when stories rely exclusively on familiar setups without adding new perspective, character depth, or surprising reversals. Look for ways to subvert expectations while staying true to the core logic of the genre.
Polishing Your Story Before Submission
Before you send your story to the Bouchercon 2020 Anthology, invest time in revision and careful proofreading. Editors value clean manuscripts that reflect attention to detail.
Structural Revision
On your second and third drafts, focus on structure: Does the story open with a strong hook? Do the middle scenes escalate tension rather than repeat information? Does the ending resolve the emotional and narrative arcs? Consider cutting or condensing scenes that do not advance plot or deepen character.
Language, Style, and Voice
Once the structure is solid, refine the language. Crime fiction often benefits from a clear, economical style, but that does not mean your prose must be bland. Look for specific, concrete verbs and nouns. Remove unnecessary adverbs, clichés, and repetitive phrasing. Maintain a consistent narrative voice that suits the protagonist and the story’s tone.
Proofreading and Beta Readers
Typos and grammatical errors can distract from even the most gripping plot. Run a final proofread, preferably after stepping away from the manuscript for a day or two. If possible, ask trusted beta readers who enjoy crime and mystery fiction to provide feedback. Their reactions can help you identify confusing sections, plot holes, or missed opportunities for tension.
Understanding Rights and Publication Terms
The official call for entries on the Bouchercon 2020 website will outline what rights the anthology seeks, how long they are held, and how authors are credited. It may also address payment, contributor copies, and any restrictions regarding future reprints.
Read this section attentively. Knowing what you are agreeing to helps you make an informed decision about submitting and planning later uses of your story, such as inclusion in personal collections or future reprint opportunities once any exclusivity period ends.
Why Being Included in the Bouchercon Anthology Matters
Publication in the Bouchercon 2020 Anthology can be a meaningful achievement for both new and established writers. Beyond the prestige of being associated with a respected mystery convention, anthology inclusion often brings exposure to dedicated crime-fiction readers, fellow authors, and industry professionals.
Being part of this collection can help build your publication history, expand your readership, and open doors to future projects. It signals that your work meets a high editorial standard in one of the most competitive genres.
Preparing for Future Bouchercon Opportunities
Even if your story is not selected, the process of writing and refining a submission can sharpen your craft for future calls, contests, and publications. Save your drafts, notes, and feedback so you can repurpose or revise the piece for other markets after the anthology’s decisions are finalized.
Staying engaged with the broader Bouchercon community—through reading anthologies from previous years, following news about upcoming conventions, and exploring other mystery markets—can help you better understand what editors and readers respond to most strongly.
Conclusion: Submitting with Confidence
Entering the Bouchercon 2020 Anthology starts with a careful reading of the official call for entries and continues with dedicated work on story craft, revision, and professionalism. By aligning your piece with the theme, following all technical requirements, and offering a fresh take on crime and mystery, you give your story the best possible chance of standing out.
Approach the submission as both an opportunity and a learning experience. Whether or not your story is chosen, the discipline you gain by writing to these standards will strengthen your work across all future projects in the crime and mystery field.