The Crime Writers’ Association

2023 Debut Dagger Competition Opens for Entries

The most hotly contended competition for would-be crime novelists is now open for entries. Aspiring crime novelists have until the end of February 2023 to enter the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Debut Dagger, renowned for opening doors for as...


Whodunnit Dagger

Whodunnit Dagger The Whodunnit Dagger celebrates books where the sex, swearing, and bloodletting take place offstage--books that focus on the intellectual challenge at the heart of a good mystery, and which revolve around often quirky characters. Bo...


Thame Arts and Literature Festival: Alan Johnson in conversation with CWA member Dave Sivers

Alan Johnson’s childhood memoir This Boy was published in 2013. It won the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, and the Orwell Prize, Britain’s top political writing award. His second volume of memoirs Please Mr Postman (2014) won the Nati...


Dagger in the Library 2022

Shortlisted


Cath Staincliffe


Dagger in the Library 2022

Shortlisted


Lin Anderson


Press & media enquiries

Press & media enquiries We love to hear from the media and will endeavour to find the information you require, get quotes or put you in direct touch with authors or relevant CWA officers. First base is Cause PR, our PR agency. Contact Ann Cha...


Booksellers

Supporting booksellers The CWA strongly believe in the value of bricks-and-mortar booksellers, both independents and chains, and work to support and encourage their work. We do this in several ways: By fostering communication and cooperation...


“Killing People for Fun and Profit” a guest lecture by Val McDermid

The Literary Leicester Festival welcomes bestselling author Val McDermid cto Leicester discuss her writing, her inspirations and the fatal attraction of crime fiction. CWA Diamond Dagger recipient, Val McDermid, has sold over 15 million books to d...


Crime #1 at Havering Literary Festival

Charlie Flowers was born in Eastern Europe sometime in the late Sixties and arrived with his family in Britain in 1975. After training as a journalist in London he had a varied career as reporter, roadie, truck driver and record label boss. In the la...


Dark Stories and Disturbing Tales with Emily Koch, Jane Corry, Jane Shemilt and Melanie Golding

These best-selling authors, all writers of powerful thrillers, discuss the art of writing and why psychological suspense is so popular during these turbulent times. How do you write a thriller that makes you stay up all night, feverishly turning t...


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