The Crime Writers’ Association

CWA Dagger Shortlists Announced

The 2022 shortlists for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Dagger awards, which honour the very best in the crime-writing genre, have been announced. Created in 1955, the world-famous CWA Daggers are the oldest awards in the genre ...


2023 winning story

How to Catch a Bullet in a Plate and Other Tricks to Astound - Judith O’Reilly He never performed the trick at a matinee show as he didn’t like to worry the children in the audience. At least there was that, Mrs Conway thought, as the red bloo...


Gold Dagger

Gold Dagger This award is for the best crime novel by an author of any nationality, originally written in English and first published in the UK during the judging period. The broadest definition of the crime novel applies. Eligible books include thr...


‘The Importance of the Note on the Fridge’ by John Dean

My house, like all authors’ homes, I suspect, is full of scraps of paper. Each one contains a scribbled note of something that I will add to the novel I am working on the next time I switch on the laptop. The notes are often made after I have be...


CWA Dagger Results

The Crime Writers’ Association have revealed the winners of the 2015 Dagger Awards at their prestigious ceremony in London. Authors and publishers gathered at the Hotel Russell on Tuesday 30th June for the presentation, which marks the end of C...


CWA Unveils 2019 Dagger Shortlists

The author behind one of the biggest shows on TV, a world renowned forensic anthropologist and the son of ‘the godfather of tartan noir’ have been shortlisted for the prestigious CWA Dagger awards. The ten Daggers awarded annually by the CWA are ...


Daggers announced in glittering gala dinner evening

M.W. Craven has won the CWA Gold Dagger for his novel The Puppet Show. The Daggers, which were announced (24 October) at a glittering awards ceremony at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, London, are regarded by the publishing world as the foremost British aw...


The McIlvanney Prize Longlist Announced

LONGLIST ANNOUNCED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2016 ‘I went to Bloody Scotland and I was just knocked out…. I’ve been at literary events where a lot of people have knives sticking out their back that they ...


Bookseller of the Month: November 2022 – Bert’s Books

As part of the new CWA Bookshops Champion initiative, we want to celebrate bookshops, because we believe bookshops don’t just sell our books – they bring our streets alive. This month, William Shaw introduces us to Bert's Books in Swindon. Ber...


CWA Debut Dagger Writing Competition 2021 Now Open for Entries

Aspiring authors are invited to submit the opening of their novel to the coveted Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Debut Dagger competition 2021. The international writing competition opened for entries on October 1. Entrants must send in their firs...


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