Quick Read
- Applications for the second annual Golden Thriller award are open until May 1, 2026, for works published in 2025.
- A three-member expert jury will announce five finalists on October 15, 2026, before the final award ceremony in December.
- The initiative aims to bolster the regional crime fiction industry by facilitating cross-border collaboration among writers and publishers.
BELGRADE (Azat TV) – The Association of Thriller Writers (UPiT) has officially opened the application process for the second annual Golden Thriller award, a regional competition aimed at identifying the most compelling crime fiction published in the previous calendar year. Following the inaugural success of the prize in 2025, organizers are now inviting authors and publishing houses to submit works released throughout 2025 for consideration.
Expanding Regional Reach for Crime Fiction
The competition, which officially commenced on April 1, 2026, seeks to consolidate the growing thriller genre across Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin literary landscapes. By mandating that only first-edition works published in 2025 are eligible, UPiT aims to highlight emerging voices and new contributions to the genre rather than reprints. Interested participants must submit three printed copies and an electronic version of their manuscript to the association by the May 1, 2026, deadline.
Expert Jury and Selection Timeline
To ensure high literary standards, UPiT has appointed a three-member jury comprised of distinguished figures from the regional cultural scene: literature professor Dr. Dean Duda, editor and publisher Jasmina Marković-Karović, and film director Srdan Golubović. The jury is tasked with narrowing the field to five shortlisted novels by October 15, 2026. The final selection will be announced publicly via media channels and social networks, culminating in a ceremony at the upcoming ThrillerFest festival in Belgrade this December.
Stakes for the Regional Literary Industry
The establishment of the Golden Thriller prize is part of a broader effort by the UPiT—founded in 2024—to foster professional connections between novelists and publishers across former Yugoslav republics. With over forty members currently represented in the association, the award serves as a vital mechanism for increasing the circulation of regional thrillers beyond local borders. Organizers emphasize that the recognition is intended not only to reward individual excellence but to provide structural support for the professionalization of the thriller genre in the region. The expansion of this competition reflects a strategic effort to formalize the regional crime fiction market, creating a centralized platform that bridges the gap between independent publishers and a broader, cross-border audience.