The Crime Writers’ Association

2018 winning story

The Value of Vermin Control - Russell Day I took my hat off and cleared my throat. The young man behind the armour glass and the steel bars didn’t look up, even though I was his only customer. I wasn’t especially surprised. In my experience, p...


2017 winning story

Box Clever - Sam Hepburn I’ve always been a dreamer – the nerdy kid hunched over his Playstation dreaming of being popular, the geeky teenager in sweaty boxers dreaming of hitting the big time with his latest bit of software, the broke student...


Private: Latest Tips for Winning the Debut Dagger

CWA Coordinator and Debuts maestro Dea Parkin has some top tips for Debut Dagger entrants: You’re going over your Debut Dagger entry in the final days before the deadline. What might you consider revising to make it stand out and shine? Ens...


2016 winning story

A Box-Shaped Mystery - Peter Guttridge ‘The Mystery remains box-shaped, at once a prison and a refuge. Its four walls are, roughly, a Crime, a Mystery, an Enquiry and a Conclusion with an Element of Satisfaction in it.’ Margery Allingham P...


2016 shortlisted story

The Blockage - Ian Cowmeadow Fine drops of rain bloomed on the van’s windscreen. The engine clicked as the heat drifted from it and Shelly Wrench was beginning to feel the cold. Across the street, a strip light flickered behind a frosted window ...


2015 winning story

Game Over - Lesley Mace The feel of the skateboard rumbles up through the bones of his feet. He is enclosed within the sound of wheels. He concentrates on contracting muscles, on making his body into the correct shape to fly over the top of the co...


Friends, Romans, Murderers with Jane Finnis

“Friends, Romans, Murderers…” Jane Finnis, who writes the Aurelia Marcella mysteries, talks about life (and death) in Roman Britain, and explores the pleasures and pitfalls of writing historical mysteries. Admission free: all welcome. Jane’...


Friends, Romans, Murderers with Jane Finnis

“Friends, Romans, Murderers…” Jane Finnis, who writes the Aurelia Marcella mysteries, talks about life (and death) in Roman Britain, and explores the pleasures and pitfalls of writing historical mysteries. Admission free: all welcome. Jane’...


CWA & Society of Authors Events for Writers at Harrogate

Are you a writer? On Saturday 21 July the Society of Authors is running a full day of crime-writing events at the Majestic, Harrogate and if you’d like to attend, tickets including lunch and refreshments throughout the day are £75. (Note: discount...


Norwich Crime Writing Festival 2018

Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 September Across the city, Norwich, Norfolk £87 season pass (individual tickets available) Book online noirwich.co.uk or call 01603 877177 Join us for the fifth Noirwich Crime Writing Festival; the region’s largest an...


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