
Crime Writing Tips
Join the Debuts for special newsletters coming up to Debut Dagger deadline time.
You’ll also receive the CRA Newsletter and bi-monthly Case Files ezine, crammed with info for crime readers and writers.


Debut Dagger longlist 20 April

Debut Dagger Submission Info

Debut Dagger Checklist

Open House Submissions 100×100 for Under-represented Writers

The Best Bit of Writing Advice I Was Ever Given by Morgan Cry

12 Criminally Good Hints for Crime Writing by Laraine Stephens

‘Three pieces of writing advice I’ve never forgotten’ by Helen Cooper

How I got by with a little help from the internet – on credibility, by Nikki Dudley

Seven Writing Tips from Leigh Russell

Minor Characters by J G Harlond

The Art of Editing by John Dean

It’s All In the Point of View by Jared Cade

The Detective’s Journey by Luke Deckard

WRITERS’ BLOCK by Sarah Rayne

Finding the Time to Write Your Debut Dagger Entry, by Antony Johnston

‘A matter of conflict’ by John Dean

Standing in your characters’ shoes, by John Dean

The Best Writing Advice I’ve Ever Read by AJ Waines

‘How to write a novel to trade standard’ by Helen Corner-Bryant of Cornerstones Literary Consultancy

Finding the Fandom: how to use readers’ expectations to write your debut, by Cal Moriarty

To plot or not to plot? – crime writing tips by Cal Moriarty

How to develop character & story – tips from Cal Moriarty

How To Start Your Novel – a step-by-step guide by Cal Moriarty

You’re nicked! At-a-glance notes on police rank structure and terminology for UK crime writers, by editor Lesley Jones

Difficulties submitting? Here’s what to do!

Final Tips for Winning Entries

More Tips from a Debut Dagger Marker

Writing that Debut Dagger synopsis – thoughts from a marker

Building Tension in Your Writing by John Dean

Crime Writing Tip Two: Definitions, by Kelvin I Jones

Writing Your Debut Dagger Submission – Thoughts from a Debut Dagger Reader

How to Complete Your Novel by Gary Donnelly

Writing Crime Fiction by Kelvin I Jones

Don’t Fear the Editor, or, Are You an Author or Just Someone Who Wants to Write a Book? by Jason Monaghan
