The Duncan Lawrie International Dagger 2008

Prize: £5,000 to the author: £1,000 to the translator

The following information about this award should be read in conjunction with the General Rules.

It is an absolute condition of entry that publishers agree to pay £200 for each of their titles that are placed on the shortlist. This will be used by the CWA to offset the costs of organising the Daggers and the Awards Dinner.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Eligible books must be crime novels by the broadest definition including thrillers, suspense novels and spy fiction as long as the book was not originally written in English and has been translated into English for UK publication between June 1 2007 and May 31 2008 with a closing date for entries of 17 April 2008. After November 1 2007, titles submitted more than 30 days after publication date may be excluded.

1. The same book may be entered for more than one CWA or other literary award, provided it meets the relevant conditions for eligibility. While there is no limit to the number of titles each publisher may submit, please select only those titles that have a realistic chance of winning the award.
2. An entry form must be completed for each title submitted, and should be sent to the chairperson of the relevant judging panel. A master form is below for you to photocopy as many times as you require.
3. One copy of each book should be sent to the chairperson and to each judge. Please ensure that the label on each parcel bears the name of the award. Do not send books to the papers or magazines for which the judge reviews.
4. It is an absolute condition of entry that publishers agree put the award logo and either “Winner of the Duncan Lawrie International Dagger” or “Shortlisted for the Duncan Lawrie International Dagger” on the cover of subsequent editions of winning/shortlisted books. Submission of any entry will be taken as complete acceptance of this rule.

JUDGING PANEL

Chair: Adrian Muller
Ruth Morse
Peter Guttridge
Susanna Yager

Shortlists will be drawn up at the end of May 2008 with the winners announced at the Awards Ceremony at the end of June 2008. The date and location of the dinner will be announced once they have been finalised.

Further details, including the full rules, entry forms and judges' addresses, may be obtained from the CWA Dagger Liaison Officer, Margaret Murphy, by emailing . Any queries should also be addressed to her.