Meeting and networking
The CWA’s members are professional authors, agents, editors, reviewers, bloggers and booksellers working in the crime genre. Bringing them together, whether for business or pleasure, is a key benefit of membership. Ninety per cent of our members are authors, so we know better than anyone that writing can be a solitary business. Our networking and social events, from the important regional chapters to our annual conference, to awards events and our Christmas party, are designed to help make connections, exchange ideas – and get authors out from behind their desks!
Regional chapters
The CWA has more than twenty regional and specialist chapters. They cover all of the UK, plus locations further afield such as France and North America, as well as specialities such as non-fiction authors. Chapters bring members who live close to one another together, either for informal lunches and mixers, or to arrange events with speakers. Wherever you are, there’s a CWA regional chapter for you.
Annual conference
Held in a different geographical location each year, our annual conference and gala dinner is the definitive CWA event. Open to all members, it’s a weekend programme of engaging and fascinating speakers from the world of crime (both real and fictional) to help you gain insights for your next masterpiece. It’s also a chance to spend time with old friends, make new ones, and even take part in promotional events we arrange for members at local libraries and bookstores.
Since 2020, we no longer hold the AGM at the conference.
CWA Daggers awards ceremony
In 1955 the CWA created the prestigious Dagger awards, and every year we continue to celebrate the very best in crime writing at a glamorous awards dinner. CWA members can take advantage of discounted tickets to join other authors, publishers, reviewers, actors, and agents in raising a glass to crime while famous Daggers such as the Gold Dagger, John Creasey First Novel Dagger and Diamond Diamond are awarded to the year’s best books and writers.
Festivals
In normal times, crime-writing festivals are a large part of a modern author’s life. The CWA has close ties to the annual CrimeFest in Bristol, where the Dagger award contenders are announced each year. We also hold member get-togethers, both formal and otherwise, at many festivals where we know attendees and participants will include CWA members.
Join the CWA
Become part of a thriving community of successful crime writers with invaluable support, expertise and marketing opportunities for all our members.
