The CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger 2008

Prize: £1,000, sponsored by BBC Audio Books

All shortlisted authors will receive a year's free CWA membership

The Crime Writers' Association's New Blood Dagger is awarded in memory of CWA founder John Creasey, for first books by previously unpublished writers. The following information should be read in conjunction with the General Rules.

It is an absolute condition of entry that publishers agree to pay £100 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

1. This award is for the best crime novel by a first-time author of any nationality first published in the UK in English between June 1 2007 and May 31 2008. After November 1 2007, any title submitted more than thirty days after its original publication date may be excluded. Final deadline for submissions is April 17 2008.
2. The same book may be entered for more than one CWA or other literary award, provided it meets the conditions for eligibility. There is no limit to the number of titles each publisher may submit, but please only select titles that have a realistic chance of winning the award.
3. An entry form must be completed for each title submitted, and should be sent with the book to the chair of the judging panel. A master form is below to photocopy as you require.
4. One copy of each book should be sent to the chair and to each judge. It would be a great help to the judges if, when you send them books, you ensure that the label on each parcel bears the name of the award for which the book is being submitted. Please do not send books to the papers or magazines for which the judge reviews.

Note: ‘Best crime novel by a first time author’ means that the author must not have had a novel of any sort published before under any name whatsoever. This applies equally to novels that the judges call in. It is up to the publisher to ensure that novels submitted for this award do qualify. Financial penalties to cover time and expenses may be imposed on a publisher whose novel reaches the shortlist when it is ineligible.

JUDGING PANEL

Chair: Marion Arnott
Dreda Say Mitchell
Danuta Reah

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.