New prize launched for thrillers without violence against women

UK screenwriter Bridget Lawless has launched the Staunch Book Prize—an award for the best thriller novel in which no woman is beaten, stalked, sexually exploited, raped or murdered, reports the Bookseller.

The prize—worth £2000 (A$3486)— is open to writers of any nationality over the age of 18, and entries can include traditionally or self-published print or ebooks.

Lawless said she was driven to launch the prize because she was ‘so fed up with the endless depictions of violence against women’ in the thriller genre, adding that she was partly inspired by the allegations against Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo movement.

Lawless is currently funding the prize herself, and has plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign to cover running costs. She will also judge the prize, along with British actress and writer Doon Mackichan.

Entries for the Staunch Prize open on 22 February. The shortlist will be announced in September, with the winner announced on 25 November. For more details, visit the award’s website.

Category: International news