The Crime Writers’ Association

Johnston’s cosy crime debut wins Barker Book Award

Congratulations to CWA member Antony Johnston, whose 2023 novel The Dog Sitter Detective has won the Barker Book Award for fiction. Antony’s previous work includes the film Atomic Blonde and the Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers, which are ...


Slaughter in Southwold Crime Writers Festival

Join Southwold Libraries for a criminally good weekend of author talks, a murder mystery dinner and a crime quiz. Featuring CWA authors William Shaw, Lesley Thomson, Louise Candlish, Rory Clements, Cara Hunter, Dagger in the Library winner Kate Ellis...


CWA authors in ‘Mug Shot’ video interviews through June

A newly-launched initiative designed to showcase crime writers will feature in National Crime Reading Month in June with four authors talking about their craft and the publishing industry. Launched in January, Mug Shots is run by Tall Tales Mysterie...


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...


Love Reading UK focuses on Crime for June

The very popular online book club, Love Reading UK, is focusing on all things crime writing for June. Throughout National Crime Reading Month they are showcasing crime-related titles, including many from our CWA member authors. This week they presen...


Private: Latest Tips for Winning the Debut Dagger

CWA Coordinator and Debuts maestro Dea Parkin has some top tips for Debut Dagger entrants: You’re going over your Debut Dagger entry in the final days before the deadline. What might you consider revising to make it stand out and shine? Ens...


Crime Science versus Crime Fiction: Exploding the Myths

Thursday 30 August 6pm-8pm, at the prestigious Royal Society in London. Join Val McDermid, Elly Griffiths, Vaseem Khan, Imran Mahmoud, Professor Ruth Morgan, Professor Richard Wortley, and Barry Forshaw for a truly unique occasion. Crime fiction i...


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...


June is National Crime Reading Month

Libraries, booksellers, publishers and festivals are taking part in National Crime Reading Month this month, while crime writers are contributing videos and blogs to the dedicated site with more posted almost every day of June. National Crime Read...


The Mistletoe Murder & Other Stories with PD James & Nicola Upson

The Really Popular Book Club presents a free online event, featuring the short stories of PD James with Nicola Upson. Cambridge University Libraries will be drawing 2021 to a close with a collection of festive short stories by P.D. James. As the ack...


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