The Crime Writers’ Association

2016 shortlisted story

The Blockage - Ian Cowmeadow Fine drops of rain bloomed on the van’s windscreen. The engine clicked as the heat drifted from it and Shelly Wrench was beginning to feel the cold. Across the street, a strip light flickered behind a frosted window ...


2015 winning story

Game Over - Lesley Mace The feel of the skateboard rumbles up through the bones of his feet. He is enclosed within the sound of wheels. He concentrates on contracting muscles, on making his body into the correct shape to fly over the top of the co...


Paddington Book Festival

Three CWA authors will be speaking as part of the Paddington Book Festival. The meetings will take place at the Paddington Library, Porchester Road, London W2 5DU (nearest Underground: Royal Oak). Elizabeth Flynn will be talking on September 6th, 6....


Chapters

Chapters We know that our members are based all around the world and we have established regional chapters to help our members connect with other writers. There are also speciality chapters for non-fiction and neurodiverse authors. If there is an...


Killer Women Weekend – Open to All!

Will you write the next crime bestseller? Learn the art & craft of crime fiction from bestselling authors including: Rachel Abbott, Mark Billingham, Erin Kelly, Mick Herron, Stuart MacBride, Sarah Pinborough, Cally Taylor. Pitch your idea to...


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...


CWA Dagger in the Library: Now open for nominations

The Dagger in the Library is one of the highly prized CWA Dagger Awards, which have been awarded to crime writers since 1955. It is a unique literary award in that it offers a chance for readers to nominate their favourite British crime fiction autho...


CWA Margery Allingham Short Story Competition – now open

More information...


Bookshop of the Month – April 2022: Reading Matters


Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition – Rules

Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition - The rules Please read all terms carefully before submitting your entry. Please pay attention to the Margery Allingham’s definition of a mystery and the chronology it outlines. Submission of an entry...


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