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...


Emerging Author Dagger Rules

Rules and Submission Guidelines Emerging Author Dagger The Emerging Author Dagger (formerly the Debut Dagger), an international competition for the opening of an adult/YA crime novel and synopsis, is aimed at debut writers. The CWA defines a de...


Northern Ireland is Set for NCRM 2024

PRESS RELEASE The Crime Writers Association, National Crime Reading Month NI Crime Writers team up with Libraries NI and local bookstores to celebrate National Crime Reading Month with a host of events across the province throughout June. Fo...


CWA Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition – Winner Announced

The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) has announced the winner of its Margery Allingham Short Mystery Prize. Camilla Macpherson beat strong competition with her short story, ‘Heartbridge Homicides’. Camilla lives in The Hague in the Nether...


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...


2023 Dagger Award Winners Announced

2023 CWA Dagger Awards Announced The winners of the 2023 CWA Daggers, which honour the very best in the crime writing genre, have been announced. The prestigious Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Daggers are the oldest awards in the genre and ...


Tell us about a new book

Tell us about a new book Fill out this form to tell us about your upcoming book, for inclusion in Red Herrings’ Hot Off the Press feature and our social media ‘Publication Day’ posts. Submit your book at least one week before its publicat...


Writers Invited to Enter CWA Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition

Entries are being invited for the CWA Margery Allingham Short Story competition.   This year, the competition has changed the weighting of its scoring system to match Margery Allingham’s definition of a Mystery. Entrants are asked to focus on ...


Dagger in the Library nomination form

Dagger in the Library nomination form Libraries are invited to use the form below to submit nominations from themselves and their borrowers for the 2025 Dagger in the Library award. Nominations are open from October 1st - December 9th 2024. You m...


Local Blood: A Panel Discussion with local authors Michelle Birkby, Emma Curtis and Jess Kidd

Three local authors from Richmond upon Thames team up to talk about their latest novels and the process of writing. Birkby, Curtis and Kidd have each mined the dark seams of mystery and suspense and written tales that strike chords of unease amongst ...


Join the CWA

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


Advertise with us