Tips 2017/2 for Debut Dagger Entrants
More tips from readers of Debut Dagger entries. Remember, each tip is only the view of one individual and, as we all know, individuals disagree. All Debut Dagger entries are read and scored by at least two readers. Avoid using too many commas, or...
Finding the Time to Write Your Debut Dagger Entry, by Antony Johnston
Finding time to write is something we all struggle with when we’re starting out. We have other commitments and obligations, things to do, a day job, maybe a family… ‘If only I could just have time to write and not worry about all this other stu...
How to Write a Great Synopsis for Your Emerging Author Dagger Entry, by Shortlisted Entrant Caroline Arnoul
When I was preparing my entry for the Emerging Dagger award (then the Debut Dagger) last year, it was the 1,500-word synopsis that I found most daunting. I’d not written a synopsis of more than 300-400 words before, and I hadn’t finished my ...
Split Screens for Keeping Your Head Together
by Linda Stratmann Multi-tasking is an essential ability for a writer. Hands and mind can work simultaneously and independently, and there can be one issue engaging the forefront of the mind while another is still working in the background. The br...
Writing that Debut Dagger synopsis – thoughts from a marker
Especially written for those of you stuggling to write your synopsis for the CWA Debut Dagger – here’s a piece written on the subject by one of the competition readers. So worth paying attention to. Imagine you’re me. I’ve read your first ...
More Tips from a Debut Dagger Marker
Just before we start, Debut Dagger entrants shoud be aware that all our readers (markers) have different viewpoints and different elements to a crime novel light their candles. What one likes, another may not; this goes for sub-genre as well as asp...
Edit your author profile(s)
Lisa Hall is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers and the Hotel Hollywood time-slip murder mystery series. Her debut novel Between You and Me was a Kindle UK number one bestseller, sitting in the top spot for over four weeks, and the sec...
Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition
The Margery Allingham Short Mystery CompetitionAt a glance Competition: Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition 2027 Open to: Published and unpublished writers worldwide Story length: Up to 3,500 words Entry fee: £25 Deadline: 6...
Debut Dagger Adds Polish to Any Writer’s Resumé by Jayne Barnard
Jayne was Highly Commended in 2013 for When the Bow Breaks. It was a balmy spring day in Calgary, Alberta, Canada when the email arrived from Dagger HQ in London, England. Shortlisted! I might have screamed. It’s possible there was da...
The secret of successful writing is in the . . .
The secret of successful writing is in the revisions by Pauline Rowson So you’ve finished writing that novel, well done. You’re immensely proud of yourself and so you should be. It is a huge achievement but far from being the end it is probabl...
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