The Crime Writers’ Association

CWA Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition – Winner Announced

The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) has announced the winner of its Margery Allingham Short Mystery Prize. Camilla Macpherson beat strong competition with her short story, ‘Heartbridge Homicides’. Camilla lives in The Hague in the Nether...


Join the CWA

Join the CWA Who can join? We offer full membership for those in the UK and overseas who have had published a full length work of crime fiction or non-fiction, and provisional membership for those who have a contract from a recognised publishing ho...


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...


Bookshop of the Month – July 2021: The Steyning Bookshop

Every month, as part of the new CWA Booksellers Champion initiative with bestselling author Elly Griffiths, we want to celebrate a bookshop because we believe bookshops don’t just sell our books – they bring our streets alive. Kicking this off is...


Crime Comes to Taunton

On Saturday, 27 April 2024, join authors, publishers, readers, and booksellers for a day of talks, panels, quizzes, and more at Brendon Books CIC in Taunton. Tickets are £12 for the day, or £3 per event. Learn more and book your tickets here....


Dagger in the Library 2017 Winner Announced

The winner of the CWA 2017 Dagger in the Library has been revealed: Mari Hannah. Mari said: ‘Membership of the Crime Writers’ Association links me to those who write and read crime fiction, essential for any author working in the genre. To re...


Sandra Prior – The Kingmaker

The Kingmaker is the fifth book in the series by crime writer Sandra Prior, following Dangerous, Diamond Geezer, Mickey’s War and Mickey’s Revenge. With Mickey ‘Dangerous’ Taylor gone, his son Tommy is the new boss of the East End and he’s ...


Sandra Prior – The Kingmaker

The Kingmaker is the fifth book in the series by crime writer Sandra Prior, following Dangerous, Diamond Geezer, Mickey’s War and Mickey’s Revenge. With Mickey ‘Dangerous’ Taylor gone, his son Tommy is the new boss of the East End and he’s ...


Gaelic Language Event: Shelagh Chaimbeul Book Release

A summer's day in June 2004. Four teenagers are walking on the Fife Coastal path near St. Andrews, when one of them, Amy, finds an unusual bracelet. 20 years later, a new true crime series begins, 'Fuasgladh Cheist', which investigatesn suspicious...


Crime Comes to Hastings

As part of the first (ever!) Hastings Literary Festival we’re looking into the world of crime fiction. Sophie Hannah, whose authorized re-imagined Agatha Christie tales sit neatly alongside her own crime novels, will be discussing the joys and chal...


Join the CWA

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


Advertise with us