The Crime Writers’ Association

Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation

Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation Sponsored in honour of Dolores Jakubowski. This award is for crime novels (defined by the broadest definition to include thrillers, suspense novels and spy fiction) as long as the book was not originally wr...


The Big Read with Mari Hannah

Big Read Celebrates Ian Rankin in Landmark Year The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is on tour this summer with its ninth Big Read, hosting free reading group events across Yorkshire. The 2017 Big Read is Ian Rankin’s breakthrough R...


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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 ...


Dagger in the Library 2017 Winner Announced

The winner of the CWA 2017 Dagger in the Library has been revealed: Mari Hannah. Mari said: ‘Membership of the Crime Writers’ Association links me to those who write and read crime fiction, essential for any author working in the genre. To re...


Hunt for the Margery Allingham Short Mystery Prize Winner 2022

The hunt for the best unpublished short mystery story is on. Entrants have until 6pm GMT on Monday 28 February to enter the international Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Margery Allingham Short Mystery competition, 2022. The Margery Allingha...


CWA Dagger Shortlists 2018

The Crime Writers’ Association announced the shortlists for the prestigious annual Dagger awards for crime writing at an evening reception at Daunt Books, Cheapside, London, on Wednesday 25 May. The shortlists provide some interesting duplications....


The Entry Process

The Entry Process There are four kinds of Dagger, differentiated by how they are nominated. See below for an explanation of the different entry processes, and who may nominate for each Dagger. Please do not hesitate to contact the Dagger Liaison Or...


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...


Notes on Word Count for CWA Writing Competitions

Different competitions have different rules – and different levels of rigour in the way they apply them. For the Debut Dagger we are super-strict. We ask for entries not to exceed 3,000 words (1,500 words for the synopsis) by even a word. The ti...


Associate membership

Join the CWA - Associate membership Thank you for your interest in joining the CWA. Membership is subject to meeting the membership criteria and completing the application form does not guarantee membership. Please fill in your details below and a m...


Join the CWA

Become part of a thriving community of successful crime writers with invaluable support, expertise and marketing opportunities for all our members.


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