The Crime Writers’ Association

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 ...


Val McDermid Honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction

On Thursday 21 July, Val McDermid was announced the winner of the seventh Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award. Sara Paretsky, Lynda La Plante, Ruth Rendell, PD James, Colin Dexter and Reginald Hill are former recipi...


London Book Fair Author HQ Seminar Programme

Featuring authors, literary agents, and publishers, all gathered at the biggest publishing event in the UK, the programme is an invaluable opportunity for aspiring writers to learn how to get their work published. Keynote speakers include: internat...


What Happened When I Won the Debut Dagger by Shelley Burr

When I entered the Debut Dagger, my wild dream was to make the longlist so I would have something to put in my almost bare author bio.The day I won was surreal. Despite the CWA’s urging I didn’t fly from Australia to London for the ceremony, as I...


Murder by Water – Canals, Rivers and Crime Fiction

Best-selling author of the Cooper and Fry novels, Stephen Booth (‘A modern master’ The Guardian) joins Worcestershire-based crime author Andy Griffee for a lively discussion of dark waters and deadly secrets. Stephen's latest book (Drowned Lives)...


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About the CWA The CWA promotes, supports and celebrates crime writing, and writers of all crime fiction and non-fiction from across the globe. We’re proud to be a growing, thriving community with membership encompassing authors of all ages and at ...


CWA Debut Dagger Open for Submissions

Entries are being invited from uncontracted writers for the coveted CWA Debut Dagger Award.   Authors shortlisted for the Debut Dagger come to the direct attention of interested literary agents and publishers. M W Craven who won the 2019 Gold Da...


A fond farewell to M C Beaton, by Barry Forshaw

Barry Forshaw, author of Crime Fiction: A Reader’s Guide, on MC Beaton (aka Marion Chesney), the creator of Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth, who has died at 83. Although many crime novels fit more or less comfortably into a clearly defined categor...


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...


Ann Cleeves and Cath Staincliffe

A special pre-Festival event with two award-winning, bestselling crime writers. Cath Staincliffe is a novelist, radio playwright and the creator of ITV’s hit series, Blue Murder, and the Scott & Bailey novels, based on the popular TV series, a...


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