The Crime Writers’ Association

How to Write a Great Synopsis for Your Emerging Author Dagger Entry, by Shortlisted Entrant Caroline Arnoul

When I was preparing my entry for the Emerging Dagger award (then the Debut Dagger) last year, it was the 1,500-word synopsis that I found most daunting.  I’d not written a synopsis of more than 300-400 words before, and I hadn’t finished my ...


The CWA Daggers

The Daggers The CWA awards thirteen Daggers in total. Nine of these are for books and short stories and are judged independently by industry professionals. Starting in 2024, in addition to the coveted Dagger trophy, Dagger winners will receive a on...


John Creasey First Novel Dagger

John Creasey First Novel DaggerThe John Creasey First Novel Dagger (formerly the ILP John Creasey New Blood Dagger) is for the best crime novel by a first-time author of any nationality with their first novel of any kind published in the UK in Englis...


In memoriam

In memoriam The CWA celebrates the memory of each of these members who are sadly no longer with us.2025 Amer Anwar Joan Lock Peter Lovesey Robyn Sheffield (Brenda Penn) Bernard Taylor 2024 Catherine Aird, M.B.E. Carolyn Caughey ...


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...


Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition

The Margery Allingham Short Mystery CompetitionSign-up for updates If you'd like to be kept informed about Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition including submission dates, deadlines and to be notified about the winners please sign-up below....


Ian Fleming Steel Dagger

Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Ian Fleming said there was one essential criterion for a good thriller, ‘one simply has to turn the pages’. Eligible books in this category are thrillers set in any period and include, but are not limited to, spy fiction...


John Creasey First Novel Dagger

ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger The ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger (formerly the ILP John Creasey New Blood Dagger) is for the best crime novel by a first-time author of any nationality with their first novel of any kind published in the UK...


ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction

ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction This Dagger is for any non-fiction work on a crime-related theme by an author of any nationality as long as the book was first published in the UK in English during the judging period. The Dagger encompasses, tho...


Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation

Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation Sponsored in honour of Dolores Jakubowski. This award is for crime novels (defined by the broadest definition to include thrillers, suspense novels and spy fiction) as long as the book was not originally wr...


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