The Crime Writers’ Association

Sponsorship packages

Sponsor a CWA Dagger The Daggers were established in 1955 to celebrate the very best in crime writing. More than half a century later they’re still recognised as the most prestigious crime-writing awards in the UK, and renowned across the globe as...


Seven Writing Tips from Leigh Russell

Chair of the CWA Debut Dagger judges, Leigh Russell, has sold well over a million books. Writer’s Block The best cure for writer’s block is a deadline. If you’re not fortunate enough to have an external deadline set by a publisher, you can ...


Debut Dagger Competition ends

The CWA Debut Dagger Competition for 2014 is closed. We are now busy ensuring all of the entries are logged, referenced and sent to our teams of readers whose job it is to consider all submissions and to draw up the shortlist. This year our judging p...


CWA Dagger Winners to be Announced at Awards on Oct 25

For readers of crime – now officially the UK’s most popular genre of fiction – the CWA Daggers are the book awards to really sharpen your appetite. Ten Daggers are given away at a glittering black-tie dinner and the cream of the publishing indu...


Our Chapters

The CWA has members around the world. Our regional chapters help members to connect with other writers in the same geographical area. There are also international specialty chapters for nonfiction and neurodiverse authors. Our geographically-based...


Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition – Rules

Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition - The Rules Please read all terms carefully before submitting your entry. Please pay attention to the Margery Allingham’s definition of a mystery and the chronology it outlines. Submission of an entry...


Crime Fiction: Past, Present, and Future with Simon Brett

Part of the Open Centre and Online CI Public Talks collection In conversation with OU's Bill Alder, detective fiction author Simon Brett will discuss crime fiction's past, present and future. Please join us on Wednesday 17 April from 13:00-14...


Kirkcudbright Book Week

Designed to showcase the developing literary scene in Kirkcudbright and the wider Dumfries and Galloway area, join us for the second Kirkcudbright Book Week. Book Week features appearances by professional authors as well as affording community wri...


Dagger in the Library – shortlist announced

CWA 2014 Dagger in the Library Award shortlist announced   Five authors have today been shortlisted for the CWA 2014 Dagger in the Library award, sponsored by Dead Good Books. This year, for the first time, readers compiled the long list as crim...


First Monday Crime Writing Special in London Feb 6

First Monday is a monthly crime fiction/thriller social night held in Central London. A mix between a social evening and a literary festival panel, First Mondays offer the crime fiction community – readers, writers and industry professionals – a ...


Join the CWA

Become part of a thriving community of successful crime writers with invaluable support, expertise and marketing opportunities for all our members.


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