In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first released during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation.

Originality: The content should demonstrate originality, whether through a fresh perspective on a well-known case, an innovative narrative approach, or a unique angle that sets it apart from other true crime works. The content's ability to bring innovation to the true crime genre, whether through storytelling techniques, investigative methods, or unique thematic exploration, will be considered

Impact: Consideration will be given to the content's impact on consumers, the true crime community, and the broader true crime genre. This may include factors such as critical acclaim, and influence on popular culture.

Ethical Considerations: Content should handle sensitive and potentially controversial true crime topics with care, maintaining ethical research standards and sensitivity towards those affected by true crime.

In order to enter, the campaign must have been accessible to a UK audience and first launched during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Strategy & Objectives: Entries should clearly outline the campaign’s goals, target audience, and strategic approach. Judges will look for a well-defined plan that demonstrates how creative concepts, platforms, and tactics were chosen to achieve specific outcomes.

Creativity & Originality: The campaign should showcase fresh ideas and an inventive use of digital tools, platforms, or storytelling techniques. This could include interactive elements, social media innovations, multimedia integrations, or unique thematic approaches that set the work apart from other true crime campaigns.

Impact & Engagement: Judges will consider the measurable success of the campaign, including audience reach, engagement rates, community interaction, and any influence on public conversation around the true crime title. Critical acclaim or industry recognition will also be noted.

Ethical Sensitivity: Given the sensitive nature of true crime, campaigns should demonstrate respectful handling of subject matter. This includes avoiding sensationalism, maintaining factual integrity, and ensuring empathy toward individuals and communities affected by the events depicted.

In order to enter, the campaign must have been live in the UK during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Effectiveness: Judges will evaluate how well the campaign achieved its goals, including raising awareness and influencing public opinion or behavior regarding a specific issue in the true crime genre.

Creativity and Innovation: The originality and inventiveness of the campaign will be assessed, including the use of unique strategies, creative messaging, and innovative approaches to engage the audience.

Impact: The measurable impact of the campaign will be considered, such as the extent of its reach, the level of public engagement, and any tangible outcomes or changes resulting from the campaign.

Clarity of Message: Judges will look at how clearly and effectively the campaign communicated its key messages, ensuring the information was accessible and easily understood by the target audience.

Execution: The quality of the campaign’s execution will be evaluated, including the professionalism of materials, the effectiveness of the chosen platforms (e.g., social media, public events, advertisements), and the overall presentation.

 In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first broadcast during the 2025 calendar year. Series submitted in this category must contain only two parts.

n.b If your series contains more than two-parts, you may want to consider entering it into our 'three-or-more-part docuseries' category. 

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Engaging Storytelling: Submission should demonstrate excellence in storytelling, using narrative techniques and pacing to create a compelling and immersive viewing experience in a new and distinctive way.

Direction and Production Values: Nominees should exhibit strong direction and production quality, including cinematography, set design, and overall production values that enhance the viewing experience.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details, incorporation of expert analysis, and adherence to ethical reporting standards.

Impact, Ethics and Reception: The impact of the programme on viewers and critics should be considered, including its ability to spark conversations and raise awareness of a case or cases. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first broadcast during the 2025 calendar year. Series' eligible for entry in this category must consist of three or more parts.

n.b If your series contains fewer than three parts, it may be eligible for our Documentary Film or Two-Part docuseries categories. 

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Engaging Storytelling: Submission should demonstrate excellence in storytelling, using narrative techniques and pacing to create a compelling and immersive viewing experience in a new and distinctive way.

Direction and Production Values: Nominees should exhibit strong direction and production quality, including cinematography, set design, and overall production values that enhance the viewing experience.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details, incorporation of expert analysis, and adherence to ethical reporting standards.

Impact, Ethics and Reception: The programme's impact on viewers and critics should be considered, including its ability to spark conversations and raise awareness of a case or cases. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first broadcast during the 2025 calendar year. Content in this category must be brand new, not having released a previous series or season. 

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Engaging Storytelling: Submission should demonstrate excellence in storytelling, using narrative techniques and pacing to create a compelling and immersive viewing experience in a new and distinctive way. 

Direction and Production Values: Nominees should exhibit strong direction and production quality, including cinematography, set design, and overall production values that enhance the viewing experience.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details, incorporation of expert analysis, and adherence to ethical reporting standards.

Impact, Ethics and Reception: The programme's impact on viewers and critics should be considered, including its ability to spark conversations and raise awareness of a case or cases. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first broadcast during the 2025 calendar year. Programmes eligible for entry in this category must be returning and have released at least one previous series.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Engaging Storytelling: Submission should demonstrate excellence in storytelling, using narrative techniques and pacing to create a compelling and immersive viewing experience in a new and distinctive way.

Direction and Production Values: Nominees should exhibit strong direction and production quality, including cinematography, set design, and overall production values that enhance the viewing experience.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details, incorporation of expert analysis, and adherence to ethical reporting standards.

Impact, Ethics and Reception: The programme's impact on viewers and critics should be considered, including its ability to spark conversations and raise awareness of a case or cases. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first broadcast on Linear TV during the 2025 calendar year. 

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Engaging Storytelling: Submission should demonstrate excellence in storytelling, using narrative techniques and pacing to create a compelling and immersive viewing experience in a new and distinctive way. 

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details, incorporation of expert analysis, and adherence to ethical reporting standards.

Direction and Production Values: Nominees should exhibit strong direction and production quality, including cinematography, set design, and overall production values that enhance the viewing experience.

Impact, Ethics and Reception: The programme's impact on viewers and critics should be considered, including its ability to spark conversations and raise awareness of a case or cases. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

In order to enter, the content must be available to a UK audience and either:

• Be first broadcast during the 2025 calendar year
• or the significant impact resulting from the content must have occurred specifically in 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Engaging Storytelling: Submission should demonstrate excellence in storytelling, using narrative techniques and pacing to create a compelling and immersive viewing experience in a new and distinctive way.

Direction and Production Values: Nominees should exhibit strong direction and production quality, including cinematography, set design, and overall production values that enhance the viewing experience.

Impact, Ethics and Reception: Most importantly for this category, the submission must demonstrate the programme's impact, including its ability to spark conversations and raise awareness of a case or cases. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Faithful Adaptation: Nominees should demonstrate a high degree of faithfulness to the original true crime source material, whether it's a book, first-hand sources, or historical events. The adaptation should effectively capture the essence and key details of the real-life story, being sure to not sensationalise the events that it depicts. 

Engaging Storytelling: Nominated adaptations should excel in storytelling, using narrative techniques, character development, and plot pacing to create a compelling and immersive viewing experience.

Acting Performance: Recognising outstanding performances by the cast, particularly those portraying real-life individuals involved in the true crime story. This includes character depth, authenticity, and the ability to convey the emotions and complexities of the real people they represent.

Direction and Production Values: Nominees should exhibit strong direction and production quality, including cinematography, set design, and overall production values that enhance the viewing experience and contribute to the adaptation's authenticity.

Impact, Ethics and Reception: The adaptation's impact on viewers and critics should be considered, including its ability to spark conversations, raise awareness of the true crime case, or shed new light on the events depicted. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must demonstrate exceptional storytelling skills, crafting concise yet compelling narratives that draw the audience in from the start. The piece should use pacing, structure, and narrative devices effectively to maintain engagement within a short runtime.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should show evidence of thorough research and a commitment to factual accuracy. This includes careful verification of case details and a clear presentation of relevant context surrounding the crime.

Ethical Sensitivity: Submissions should approach real-life events with respect, avoiding sensationalism or exploitation. Sensitivity toward victims, families, and communities is essential, alongside a responsible handling of distressing or complex subject matter. Credit will be given where the piece raises awareness of broader issues such as systemic injustice, criminal reform, or societal impacts.

Quality Production: Whether video, audio, or mixed media, nominees must exhibit strong technical execution. This includes clarity of sound or visuals, effective use of music or imagery, and editing choices that enhance — rather than distract from — the storytelling.

In order to enter, content created by the production company must be available to a UK audience and first broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Outstanding Collaboration: Nominees should demonstrate exceptional teamwork and collaboration within the production crew. This includes effective communication, coordination, and synergy among various roles, such as directors, producers, editors, and sound engineers.

Innovation in Storytelling: Recognizing innovative approaches to storytelling that set the nominated program apart. This may include creative use of visuals, sound design, narrative structure, or unique perspectives on the true crime narrative.

Technical Excellence: Evaluating the technical aspects of production, including cinematography, editing, sound design, and overall production quality that enhance the visual and auditory experience of the true crime program.

Authenticity and Accuracy: The production team should uphold the values of authenticity and accuracy in portraying real-life events, investigations, and characters. Accurate representation of facts and adherence to ethical reporting standards are crucial and the demonstration of sensitivity to victims, survivors and families is paramount. 

Impact and Reception: Consider the impact of the program on viewers, the true crime community, and society at large. This includes audience engagement, critical acclaim, and its ability to spark discussions or raise awareness of important issues. 

NOTE: If you submit 3 or more entries into any On Screen categories, you will automatically qualify for a free entry into this category. 

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK television audience and broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Consistent Narrative Excellence: The broadcaster’s programming should demonstrate exceptional storytelling across multiple productions, with engaging narratives, strong pacing, and compelling presentation that hold viewer attention.

Research and Accuracy: A clear commitment to factual accuracy and rigorous research, ensuring that all true crime content is responsibly sourced, verified, and presented with clarity.

Ethical Sensitivity: Programming should treat victims, families, and communities with dignity and respect, avoiding sensationalism or exploitation. Judges will value content that highlights broader social or criminal justice issues, encouraging informed public discussion.

Range and Impact: A diverse slate of true crime programming that resonates with UK audiences, demonstrates creative range, and achieves significant cultural or social impact.

Quality Production: High technical standards across all broadcasts, with strong cinematography, editing, sound design, and overall production values that elevate the storytelling.

NOTE: If you enter 3 or more submissions, as a broadcaster, you are eligible for an automatic free entry into this category. 

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must exhibit exceptional storytelling skills, weaving together captivating narratives that engage and captivate listeners. The podcast should effectively use narrative devices and pacing to maintain the audience's interest throughout.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation. 

Ethical Sensitivity: The podcast should handle sensitive topics and real-life stories with a high degree of ethical sensitivity and respect for all parties involved. It should avoid sensationalism or exploitation of tragedy. It is also important to demonstrate where the podcast has raised awareness about important matters such as social injustices, criminal reform, or other issues that impact individuals and communities.

Quality Production: Nominees should exhibit high-quality production values, including clear audio, effective use of music and sound effects, and well-paced editing that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must exhibit exceptional storytelling skills, weaving together captivating narratives that engage and captivate listeners. The podcast should effectively use narrative devices and pacing to maintain the audience's interest throughout.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation.

Ethical Sensitivity: The podcast should handle sensitive topics and real-life stories with a high degree of ethical sensitivity and respect for all parties involved. It should avoid sensationalism or exploitation of tragedy. It is also important to demonstrate where the podcast has raised awareness about important matters such as social injustices, criminal reform, or other issues that impact individuals and communities.

Quality Production: Nominees should exhibit high-quality production values, including clear audio, effective use of music and sound effects, and well-paced editing that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must exhibit exceptional storytelling skills, weaving together captivating narratives that engage and captivate listeners. The podcast should effectively use narrative devices and pacing to maintain the audience's interest throughout.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation.

Ethical Sensitivity: The podcast should handle sensitive topics and real-life stories with a high degree of ethical sensitivity and respect for all parties involved. It should avoid sensationalism or exploitation of tragedy. It is also important to demonstrate where the podcast has raised awareness about important matters such as social injustices, criminal reform, or other issues that impact individuals and communities.

Quality Production: Nominees should exhibit high-quality production values, including clear audio, effective use of music and sound effects, and well-paced editing that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

In order to enter, the content must be available to a UK audience and either:

• Be broadcast during the 2025 calendar year
• or the significant impact resulting from the content must have occurred specifically in the year 2025.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must exhibit exceptional storytelling skills, weaving together captivating narratives that engage and captivate listeners. The podcast should effectively use narrative devices and pacing to maintain the audience's interest throughout.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation.

Quality Production: Nominees should exhibit high-quality production values, including clear audio, effective use of music and sound effects, and well-paced editing that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

Impact, Ethics and Reception: Most importantly for this category, the submission must demonstrate the impact that the podcast has had, including its ability to spark conversations and raise awareness of a case or cases. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation.

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must exhibit exceptional storytelling skills, weaving together captivating narratives that engage and captivate listeners. 

Ethical Sensitivity: The podcast should handle sensitive topics and real-life stories with a high degree of ethical sensitivity and respect for all parties involved. It should avoid sensationalism or exploitation of tragedy. It is also important to demonstrate where the podcast has raised awareness about important matters such as social injustices, criminal reform, or other issues that impact individuals and communities.

Quality Production: Nominees should exhibit high-quality production values, including clear audio, effective use of music and sound effects, and well-paced editing that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must exhibit exceptional storytelling skills, weaving together captivating narratives that engage and captivate listeners. The host should effectively use narrative devices to go beyond simply retelling a story and demonstrate ways that they captivate and engage their audience. 

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation.

Ethical Sensitivity: The host should handle sensitive topics and real-life stories with a high degree of ethical sensitivity and respect for all parties involved. It should avoid sensationalism or exploitation of tragedy. It is also important to demonstrate where the host has raised awareness about important matters such as social injustices, criminal reform, or other issues that impact individuals and communities.

Quality Production: Nominees should exhibit high-quality production values, including clear audio, effective investigative methods and interviewing, and well-paced editing that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must exhibit exceptional storytelling skills, weaving together captivating narratives that engage and captivate listeners. The podcast should effectively use narrative devices and pacing to maintain the audience's interest throughout.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation. Ethical Sensitivity: The podcast should handle sensitive topics and real-life stories with a high degree of ethical sensitivity and respect for all parties involved. It should avoid sensationalism or exploitation of tragedy. It is also important to demonstrate where the podcast has raised awareness about important matters such as social injustices, criminal reform, or other issues that impact individuals and communities.

Quality Production: Nominees should exhibit high-quality production values, including clear audio, effective use of music and sound effects, and well-paced editing that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and broadcast during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Narrative Excellence: Nominees must exhibit exceptional storytelling skills, weaving together captivating narratives that engage and captivate listeners. The podcast should effectively use narrative devices and pacing to maintain the audience's interest throughout.

Research and Accuracy: Nominees should demonstrate rigorous research and a commitment to accuracy. This includes thorough investigation of case details and facts linked to the investigation.

Ethical Sensitivity: The podcast should handle sensitive topics and real-life stories with a high degree of ethical sensitivity and respect for all parties involved. It should avoid sensationalism or exploitation of tragedy. It is also important to demonstrate where the podcast has raised awareness about important matters such as social injustices, criminal reform, or other issues that impact individuals and communities.

Quality Production: Nominees should exhibit high-quality production values, including clear audio, effective use of music and sound effects, and well-paced editing that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

In order to enter, the network must have delivered true crime content to a UK audience during the 2025 calendar year. When exploring submissions, our judges will be looking for evidence of the following:

Quality of Content: The podcast network should produce high-quality, engaging, and well-researched true crime content that captivates and informs its audience.

Diversity of Shows: The network should have a diverse range of true crime podcasts that cover different cases, perspectives, and storytelling styles.

 Impact and Influence: The network should have a significant impact on the true crime genre, influencing and shaping the industry through its innovative and thought-provoking content.

Production Value: The network's podcasts should demonstrate high production value, including professional sound quality, editing, and overall presentation.

Audience Engagement: The network should have a strong and engaged audience, with a significant following and positive feedback from listeners.

Innovation and Creativity: The network should demonstrate innovation and creativity in its approach to true crime storytelling, setting itself apart from other podcast networks in the genre.

Note: If you enter 3 or more submissions into any podcast category, you will automatically qualify for a free entry into this category. 

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first released during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be considering:

Quality of Writing: The book must exhibit exceptional writing quality, including the use of language, narrative structure, and the ability to engage and captivate readers from start to finish.

Depth of Research: Judges will assess the depth of research conducted by the author, ensuring that the book is well-researched and based on credible sources.

Originality: The book should demonstrate originality, whether through a fresh perspective on a well-known case, an innovative narrative approach, or a unique angle that sets it apart from other true crime works. The book's ability to bring innovation to the true crime genre, whether through storytelling techniques, investigative methods, or unique thematic exploration, will be considered

Impact: Consideration will be given to the book's impact on readers, the true crime community, and the broader literary world. This may include factors such as book sales, critical acclaim, and influence on popular culture.

Ethical Considerations: Authors should handle sensitive and potentially controversial true crime topics with care, maintaining ethical research standards and sensitivity towards those affected by true crime. 

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first released during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be considering:

Content Quality: The audio book will be evaluated based on the quality of its content, including the depth of research, accuracy in presenting the true crime story, and its ability to engage and captivate listeners.

Narration: The quality of the narration is crucial. Judges will assess the skill, style, and emotive depth of the narrator(s). Exceptional narration should enhance the overall listening experience.

Production Value: Judges will consider the production quality, which includes the use of sound effects, music, and other audio elements that contribute to the immersion and impact of the story.

Storytelling: Judges will explore the structure, pacing, and clarity of the storytelling and will be looking for innovation in the use of audio techniques or storytelling methods that set the audio book apart from others in the genre.

Listener Engagement: The ability of the audio book to engage and hold the attention of its intended audience is vital. This may involve creating tension, suspense, or emotional connection with the subject matter.

Ethical Considerations: Judges may assess how ethically sensitive topics are handled within the audio book, ensuring that respect for victims and ethical research standards are maintained. 

In order to enter, content must be available to a UK audience and first released during the 2025 calendar year.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be considering:

Originality: The author's work should exhibit originality in terms of storytelling, presentation of facts, or the unique perspective brought to a case. The ability to bring innovation to the true crime genre, whether through narrative techniques, unique storytelling approaches, or fresh angles on well-known cases, will be considered.

Quality of Writing: Judges will assess the quality of writing, including prose style, narrative flow, and the ability to engage readers throughout the book.

Research and Accuracy: Authors must demonstrate a commitment to thorough research and factual accuracy in their true crime narratives. Judges will consider the depth of research and the use of credible sources. 

Ethical Considerations: Authors should handle sensitive and potentially controversial true crime topics with care and maintain sensitivity towards victims, survivors and others that are affected by the content discussed in the book. 

The publishing company should have released at least one true crime book in 2025 to be eligible to enter and must have been released in the UK. 

Whilst evaluating submissions, our judges will be considering:

Portfolio: Entries should demonstrate diversity in terms of sub-genres, topics, and authors.

Quality of Content: Entries will be evaluated based on the quality of the content they produce. This includes factors such as writing style, storytelling ability, depth of research, and accuracy of the information presented.

Innovation: Judges may consider the publisher's ability to innovate within the true crime genre. This could involve experimenting with narrative techniques, exploring new angles on well-known cases, or bringing fresh perspectives to the genre.

Impact & Ethics: The impact of the publisher's books on readers, the true crime community, and the broader literary world will be assessed. This might include looking at book sales, reader reviews, critical acclaim, and influence on popular culture. Judges may also assess the publisher's approach to handling sensitive and potentially controversial true crime topics, ensuring ethical standards are maintained in the research and storytelling.

Author Relationships: The strength of the publisher's relationships with true crime authors may be considered. This includes their ability to attract and nurture talent within the genre.

NOTE: If you submit 3 or more entries into any publishing categories, you automatically qualify for a free entry into this category. 

In order to enter, the content must be available to a UK audience and either:

• Be first released during the 2025 calendar year
• or the significant impact resulting from the content must have occurred specifically in the year 2025.

When exploring submissions, our judges will be considering:

Impact: Most importantly for this category, the submission must demonstrate the impact that the book has had, including its ability to spark conversations and raise awareness of a case or cases. The submission should be reinforced with tangible evidence of the impact of the content. 

Quality of Writing: The book must exhibit exceptional writing quality, including the use of language, narrative structure, and the ability to engage and captivate readers from start to finish. It should demonstrate a considered approach to ethical storytelling, evidencing sensitivity to survivors or victims as well as their families.

Depth of Research: Judges will assess the depth of research conducted by the author, ensuring that the book is well-researched and based on credible sources.

Originality: The book should demonstrate originality, whether through a fresh perspective on a well-known case, an innovative narrative approach, or a unique angle that sets it apart from other true crime works. The book's ability to bring innovation to the true crime genre, whether through storytelling techniques, investigative methods, or unique thematic exploration, will be considered