As part of a new literary endeavour launched by USA Today best-selling author Samantha Lee Howe, the annual Noose Awards will celebrate the best Horror and Crime novel, and Short Story published in a given year.
Howe created the annual Sykehouse International Film Festival in Spring 2024 to great acclaim, and has decided to expand the remit with a second Festival on the 24 and 25 October 2025. But this has been combined with a Writer’s Conference, mixing film directors, producers and actors with the writers who provide the core material for them to work from, allowing networking and discussion.
‘I’m a massive fan of film and writing and to put them together seemed an obvious thing to do,’ explained Howe. ‘We have a networking session as well as a day of films and writing panels and discussions, all capped by a Red Carpet, three course Gala Dinner with celebrities and Awards Ceremony on the Saturday evening. Our inaugural Noose Awards are part of that: an opportunity to award the best writing in the year.’
The three Awards are being judged by panels of experienced reviewers and readers, and the results will be announced at the October Festival.
‘The Noose Awards are a very welcome addition to the literary landscape,’ commented Crime/Thriller novel judge Tim Rideout. ‘New writing is always worthy of celebration. The Noose Awards will be such a celebration, bringing the spotlight to bear on the very best contemporary thriller and horror fiction.’
‘Great writing is in my bones,’ added Horror judge Adele Maddison, ‘and I’m excited to be reading some of the great books submitted by so many talented authors and publishers. The ‘Slipknot’ award will be a celebration and accolade for all the hard working writers out there.’
In charge of judging for the Short Story Award is Mike Linane. ‘To be able to write a short story that is a thumping good read requires a special skill,’ says Mike, ‘and I am delighted that authors that manage to pull this off brilliantly will be celebrated by the new ‘Silken Rope’ Award.’
For more information on how to submit books and stories for the Awards, as well as details of the festivals, please visit www.slhfilmfest.com.
