Mystery Writers Key West Fest Announces Writing Competition and Award to Honor Jeremiah Healy

The organizers of the Mystery Writers Key West Fest have announced that authors and aspiring authors may compete for the inaugural Jeremiah Healy Mystery Writing Award by submitting the first three pages of a finished, unpublished manuscript. One winner will claim a book-publishing contract, free Mystery Writers Key West Fest registration, hotel accommodations for two nights and a captivating bobble-headed Jerry trophy.

Sponsored by Absolutely Amazing eBooks, the award salutes the author's legacy as an influential mentor credited with helping and advising many aspiring writers. Candidates wishing to compete are invited to submit the first three pages of a finished, unpublished manuscript no later than June 30th, 2015 to JerryAward@comcast.net as Word attachments. There is no fee to enter, finalists will be notified August 1st, and will have until August 10th to submit full manuscripts.

"Jerry Healy was a terrific mystery writer and a good judge of mysteries," said Shirrel Rhoades, co-founder of Key West Writers Bloc, producer of the Mystery Writers Key West Fest. "Jerry often said a book either captures a reader in the first three pages … or it doesn't. We agree and have decided to use that as a yardstick for a writing competition in Jerry's honor. He helped us get the first Fest off the ground, and this way we will keep him as a part of it in future years."

Mystery Writers Key West Fest will be held August 14th through 16th, 2015 in Key West, Florida.