After 20 years, would-be crime novelists find it more rewarding than ever to enter the CWA Debut Dagger Competition
Amended 8.12.17 The CWA Debut Dagger for the opening of a crime novel, established in 1998, is renowned within the crime writing world as a way for unpublished authors to get known, with former winners and shortlisted entrants going on to win publish...
Escaping from Greece with Jason Monaghan
In an ideal world that should be ‘Escaping to Greece’, as like so many other Brits I’m just longing for some sunshine and warm sea. The closest I’ve come so far this pandemic is organising ‘Greek Nite’ for my family bubble, with kebabs, d...
‘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...
Vaseem Khan elected Chair of the CWA
Vaseem Khan has been elected as the new Chair of the CWA at the association's AGM earlier this month, taking over from Maxim Jakubowski, who ably steered the CWA Chair for three years. Vaseem is the first non-white author to chair the CWA. Vaseem ...
CrimeFest Returns
After lying fallow for two years, CrimeFest in Bristol is back! Nearly 150 authors, appearing on 44 panels, will be gathering with crime readers at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, 12 – 15 May 2022. As always, there is something for everyone. Fr...
Hastings Literary Festival
We have a series of workshops for writers, performances, panel discussions, a book fair, films, lots of author talks, competitions (short story, poem and flash fiction) with great prizes, free events for children and of course the opportunity to meet...
WRITING WORKSHOP IN BRONTE COUNTRY WITH FRANCES BRODY
Join writer Frances Brody to explore the different approaches to writing a crime novel, with practical advice on creating characters, shaping plots and finding the right setting. There will be writing exercises to stretch your imagination and sharpen...
Time to Get Crime Writing for Prestigious CWA Competitions
Two crime writing competitions are open now. 1)The CWA Margery Allingham Short Story Competition Not to be missed for lovers of short-story writing – and being shortlisted for this renowned competition brings attention and prestige to the writing C...
The Entry Process
The Entry Process There are four kinds of Dagger, differentiated by how they are nominated. See below for an explanation of the different entry processes, and who may nominate for each Dagger. Please do not hesitate to contact the Dagger Liaison Or...
My Debut Dagger Experience, by Biba Pearce
I first found out about the CWA Debut Dagger several years ago from a writing group on Facebook. I'd been writing for a long time, an embarrassingly long time, with not much to show for it. Granted, I'd been juggling motherhood with a full-time job...
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