The Crime Writers’ Association

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...


Helplines and Discounts

Helplines and Discounts CWA members enjoy a number of perks to help their day-to-day work and career, from a tax advice helpline to discounts on membership with sister organisations.Helplines The CWA has a close working relationship with accountant...


New CWA Anthology Published 22 February

The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) has released a new collection of crime stories written by its members. Music of the Night, edited by Martin Edwards, invited CWA authors to submit short stories on the theme of music. An array of award-winnin...


CWA Brings Writers, Venues and Book Groups Together in National Crime Reading Month in May

May will be a time for murder and mayhem as National Crime Reading Month (NCRM) makes a welcome return – and the organisers are urging writers and venues to become involved. NCRM, which has run for a number of years, is a unique literary festival t...


ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger

ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger This Dagger is for the best crime novel by a first-time author of any nationality with their first novel of any kind published in the UK in English during the judging period.  ‘Best crime novel by a first-ti...


CWA Daggers Awarded in Glittering Ceremony

All 10 winners of this year’s CWA Daggers were announced at a glittering black-tie occasion at the Grange City Hotel in Cooper’s Row, London on Tuesday October 11. The CWA Daggers, which are probably the awards crime writers and publishers alike ...


Countdown to CWA Daggers

Just a few days are left to buy tickets to attend the annual Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Dagger Awards dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the crime genre. Booking closes this Friday (10 June) for the 2022 awards dinner, which is hosted at the Leona...


Deadline Approaches for Booking Tickets to CWA Dagger Awards Gala Dinner

Midnight on Sunday, October 8 is the deadline for booking tickets to the CWA gala dinner on Thursday 26 October when the CWA Daggers will be awarded. Tickets should be booked by contacting admin@thecwa.co.uk . Full details are to be found on www.the...


Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate 19-22 July 2018

The world-class, award-winning Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, now in its 15th year, returns to the magnificent Old Swan Hotel this summer from the 19-22 July. Celebrating the very best in crime fiction, the Festival is a firm date in ...


Social media guide

Social media guide Between Twitter and Facebook the CWA has close to 30,000 social media followers, and also runs a Facebook group with more than 2,000 members. We encourage all members to take advantage of this reach! Twitter The CWA accoun...


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