The Crime Writers’ Association

Crime Writers in Residence – at home with Helen Sedgwick

The CRA: Please tell us a little about yourself and the books you write. I am a research physicist turned author and I live in the Scottish highlands. I’ve recently moved to crime writing after publishing two novels that could be called literary ...


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Dagger for the opening of a crime novel, established in 1998, is renowned within the crime writing world as a way for unpublished authors to get known, with former winners and shortlisted entrants going on to win publish...


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...


CWA authors in ‘Mug Shot’ video interviews through June

A newly-launched initiative designed to showcase crime writers will feature in National Crime Reading Month in June with four authors talking about their craft and the publishing industry. Launched in January, Mug Shots is run by Tall Tales Mysterie...


Antony Johnston Book Launch


Tips 2017/2 for Debut Dagger Entrants

More tips from readers of Debut Dagger entries. Remember, each tip is only the view of one individual and, as we all know, individuals disagree. All Debut Dagger entries are read and scored by at least two readers. Avoid using too many commas, or...


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...


The Art of Editing by John Dean

I have always said, somewhat glibly, that I dislike writing and love rewriting. There is an awful lot of truth in the statement and it comes home particularly when I have completed the first draft of a novel. I do derive some satisfaction from the in...


Once Upon A Crime with Jane Finnis

“Once Upon A Crime” Mystery writer Jane Finnis takes a not-too-solemn look at the murder and mayhem contained in traditional fairy tales. (Think of Red Riding Hood…Hansel and Gretel.) Why do we tell these horror stories to children, and why do...


Slaughter in Southwold

A fringe event for the first Southwold Arts Festival Slaughter in Southwold was a Friends of Southwold Library event in association with the Crime Writers Association. It took place on the weekend of the 21st & 22nd June at Reydon Village Hall....


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