The Crime Writers’ Association

Private: What a Difference a Dagger Makes: Debut Dagger winner Bill Crotty tells of doors that have opened since the award

I had never won anything in my life.  Absolutely nothing.  Lucky dips were never lucky; not a single raffle ever ended with my ticket being called.  School sports day was a wasteland.  No kind of race did I ever win: sack, three-l...


Manchester Libraries Crime Festival

A celebration of some of the best crime writers in Manchester and the North. Including panel discussions and a Murder Mystery Night! Manchester Central Library M2 5PD Book tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4y33kvbk Wednesday 16th March An author pane...


Crime Writers in Residence – at home with Anne Coates

The CRA: Please tell us a little about yourself and the books you write. My work as a journalist and editor working on magazines and national newspapers as well as abridging books for Reader’s Digest has provided plenty of inspiration for my crime...


2023 Debut Dagger Competition Opens for Entries

The most hotly contended competition for would-be crime novelists is now open for entries. Aspiring crime novelists have until the end of February 2023 to enter the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Debut Dagger, renowned for opening doors for as...


2022 winning story

Locked In - Scott Hunter There’s something singularly evil about a crime carried out in secret, don’t you think? Especially if it is repeated on a regular basis. And especially if the victim is powerless to prevent it. Let me explain my cir...


Private: Dagger Awards to Carry Cash Prizes and Open to Authors to Self-Nominate from 2023

The CWA Daggers – synonymous with quality crime writing for over half a century – is set to again award cash prizes beginning in 2023, for titles published and nominated in 2022. Detail of the amounts will be announced next year. The CWA is delig...


Crime Writers in Residence – at home with GJ Minett

Hi! My name is GJ Minett and my fourth novel, which will be published on July 9 by Bonnier Zaffre, is called The Syndicate. The CRA: Please tell us a little about yourself and the books you write. For several years I taught in an 11-18 comprehen...


Debut Dagger Writing Tips

Here are tips from recent newsletters compiled for you by Dea Parkin, the CWA’s Competitions Coordinator (and professional editor). If you’re at the stage where your entry is finished and you’re into the all-important revision and editing pr...


Dagger in the Library 2022

Shortlisted


Susan Hill


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...


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