The Crime Writers’ Association

Private: 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Dagger for the opening of a crime novel, established in 1998, is renowned within the crime writing world as a way for unpublished authors to get known, with former winners and shortlisted entrants going on to win publish...


William Shaw: Deadland

William Shaw is one of the great rising talents of UK crime fiction – Peter James Taut, terrifying and timely – Val McDermid, on Salt Lane A modern crime master – Sun Dungeness is a splendid backdrop for a troubled detective – Daily Mail ...


Crime Writers Emerging from Lockdown with Louise Burfitt-Dons

How an escape story inspired The Secret War Some years ago when I was living in Australia I met someone whose family had escaped the Cultural Revolution. The planning required utmost secrecy for the father to organise their ‘trip to Hong Kong to...


AGM 2026

AGM 2026 The CWA would like to invite all paying members to our AGM which will take place via Zoom on Tuesday 12th May at 7pm. Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88361674131?pwd=axoagsbbuj63a7nIG6ku5uHGA3FJk1.1 Meeting ID: 883 6167 4131 ...


Karin Slaughter In Conversation With Mark Billingham

GOLDSBORO BOOKS IN ASSOCIATION WITH FIRST MONDAY CRIME PRESENTS... Karin Slaughter In Conversation with Mark Billingham on June 12th, 6:30pm. Join us for a stimulating evening with #1 internationally bestselling ...


Membership FAQ

Membership FAQ...


Harry Navinski Book Launch


Tips 2017/1 for Debut Dagger Entrants

Each of these tips comes from one individual Debut Dagger reader. Remember, another individual might have a different outlook and individuals don’t always agree – which is why each Debut Dagger entry is always read by at least two readers. It’...


WRITERS’ BLOCK by Sarah Rayne

We’ve all been there. It doesn’t matter if we’re in the best-selling lists, or just starting out with a hopeful eye on the CWA Debut Dagger as a stepping-stone to great things (which, of course, it can often be) – we’ve all sat dismally in...


Chapters

Chapters We know that our members are based all around the world and we have established regional chapters to help our members connect with other writers. There are also speciality chapters for non-fiction and neurodiverse authors. If there is an...


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