The Crime Writers’ Association

Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition

The Margery Allingham Short Mystery CompetitionHow to Write a Winning Story We asked Martin Edwards, the inaugural winner of the CWA/Margery Allingham Short Story competition for 6 great tips and here they are: Read the great short stories (not...


The CWA Remembers David Stuart Davies

The CWA has lost one of its most loyal members in David Stuart Davies, a novelist, editor, and playwright who achieved an international reputation as an expert on Sherlock Holmes. David was born in Huddersfield, the town where he lived for much of...


Debut Dagger Tips: Joanne Spain

Joanne Spain’s life was changed by her decision to enter the CWA Debut Dagger competition in 2013. She credits her experience with the CWA contest with helping to shape her now-flourishing writing career. Now, having secured a two-book deal with Qu...


Debut Dagger Tips: Greg Keen

  Words of advice from award-winning authors…   His day job involves training and coaching businesses to deliver barnstorming presentations and wow their clients, so it’s no wonder that Greg Keen was a natural storyteller. In 2015, he w...


The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

This popular festival returns to the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate on the 20th-23rd July 2017, to mark the 15th annual celebration of the genre. 2017’s Programming Chair Elly Griffiths, the current holder of the CWA Dagger in the Library, has put toge...


Bloody Scotland 2023

This annual festival of crime writing in historic Stirling features events aimed at readers and writers alike. Learn about the latest developments in your favorite crime genres, including thrillers, cosies, and Scandinavian noir. Hear about what’s ...


Dagger in the Library

Dagger in the Library  The Dagger in the Library 2024 is closed. Thank you for voting! The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a body of work by an established writer of crime fiction or non-fiction who has long been popular with borrowers from...


Irish Book Week: 19-26 October

You don't have to be Irish, or live in Ireland, to celebrate the best of Irish literature. Simply participate in one or more of the daily themes and post about it using the tags #IrishBookWeek and #IrishBookaDay! For more information, please see the ...


Short Story Dagger

Short Story Dagger This award is for any crime short story first published in the UK in English during the Judging Period, whether on its own or within an anthology or collection. Upon publication it must have been for sale to the public, either in ...


CWA Dagger Awards Gala Dinner

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2017 GRANGE CITY HOTEL, LONDON EC3N 6.30pm for 7pm This year we are very excited to announce our after dinner speaker will be the creator and writer of TVs Death in Paradise Robert Thorogood. Robert will be joined by Barry Forsha...


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