Libraries, booksellers, publishers and festivals are taking part in National Crime Reading Month this month, while crime writers are contributing videos and blogs to the dedicated site with more posted almost every day of June.

National Crime Reading Month is a unique festival, held throughout the UK, which promotes the crime genre. Hosted by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA), it will take place throughout the month of June, 2021.

A spokesperson for the CWA said: “We want to invite bookshops, libraries, publishers, conventions and festivals that celebrate the crime genre, to take part. Our sister network, the Crime Readers’ Association (CRA), is one of the largest communities of crime genre readers in the world, so this June is a unique opportunity to get an author event or reading initiative in front of that dedicated audience.”

With the pandemic, the majority of events are expected to be online, or hybrid.

The CWA supports author members, alongside literary agents, publishers, bloggers and editors with a monthly magazine and website. It set up the Crime Readers’ Association (CRA) as a free network to give readers news and information, as well as offer tips for new writers working in the genre. Its monthly newsletter, and bi-monthly ezine, Case Files, reach over 12,000 subscribers.

“We are inviting the book world to consult us over how our CWA members can participate nationwide in their crime-genre reading or writing initiatives, both fiction and non-fiction, which we’re supporting via our websites and networks throughout June.”

Last year, Nielsen Book’s research found 41% of people said they were reading more books since lockdown measures were imposed last March, with interest in crime and thrillers increasing – 51% said it was because they wanted to stay entertained, and 35% felt books were providing “an escape from the crisis”.

Secretary of the CWA Dea Parkin added: “This summer, nobody knows if they’ll be able to escape abroad on holiday. One thing that is guaranteed is the option to escape through a good book. We hope National Crime Reading Month this June will lead the great escape we all desperately need after such a difficult year, and book lovers support this exciting celebration of reading.”

National Crime Reading Month, which took place in May last year, is reverting to June to coincide with the refreshed Dagger schedule for 2021. The Dagger shortlists were announced on 20 May and the winners will be announced in an online ceremony, Daggers Live, on 1 July. Keep an eye on Events for details of tickets, which will be free – everyone can watch.

The winner of the Margery Allingham Short Mystery Prize will be announced in June: here on Thursday 17th.

To watch writer videos and blogs with ‘escape and emergence’ as our 2021 theme, and to take part or submit an event to National Crime Reading Month this June, visit www.ncrm.co.uk or contact: secretary@thecwa.co.uk

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