The Crime Writers’ Association

Notes on Word Count for CWA Writing Competitions

Different competitions have different rules – and different levels of rigour in the way they apply them. For the Debut Dagger we are super-strict. We ask for entries not to exceed 3,000 words (1,500 words for the synopsis) by even a word. The ti...


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

For years, I’ve been collecting writing tips from wherever I can get them. While I was trying to get published, and after I succeeded, my addiction to studying the craft of writing never went away. But there are three particular gems of advice that...


Notes on Word Count for CWA Writing Competitions

Different competitions have different rules – and different levels of rigour in the way they apply them. For the Debut Dagger we are super-strict. We ask for entries not to exceed 3,000 words (1,500 words for the synopsis) by even a word. The ti...


Margate Bookie – Crime Waves

Best-selling crime authors Lisa Jewell, Tammy Cohen and Amanda Jennings share the secrets of twisty noir and psychological thrillers. Lisa Jewell’s books include Ralph’s Party, Thirtynothing, After The Party and most recently The House We Grew ...


Margate Bookie – Mark Billingham

A body is found on Margate Sands… Join Mark Billingham as he reads from his latest crime blockbuster Their Little Secret. Mark’s first novel, Sleepyhead, was an instant bestseller in the UK. The series of crime novels featuring London-based ...


Morecambe & Vice Crime Writing Festival

On the Weekend of Sat 30th Sept & Sun 1st October get your little grey cells at the ready and your poisoned pens filled to the brim with ink as the Quirkiest crime festival in the UK will be making its debut in Morecambe. Set in the auspicious s...


Social media and privacy policy

Social media and privacy policy The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) takes its duty to process your personal data very seriously. This policy explains how we collect, manage, use and protect your personal data. We do occasionally update this Po...


CWA Dagger Awards – Shortlist

The Crime Writers’ Association has unveiled the shortlisted authors for five categories in the 2015 Dagger awards during an official reception at this year’s CRIMEFEST in Bristol.   Authors, publishers and delegates assembled to hear the Dag...


First Monday

London’s premier crime fiction evening event, First Monday, returns to City University in Northampton Square (Angel Tube) on 2 October, beginning at 6.30pm. It’s a stellar line-up, as usual, with 2017’s CWA Diamond Dagger recipient Ann Cleeves,...


North Norfolk U3A – True Crime: One Day Conference

The North Norfolk U3A One Day Conference includes the following presentation: Norfolk Murder - From Stanfield Hall to the last person to hang in the county – Neil Storey The Secret Poisoner - A history of poison murder in the 19th Century - Linda ...


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