The Crime Writers’ Association

John Creasey First Novel Dagger

ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger The ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger (formerly the ILP John Creasey New Blood 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...


ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction

ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction This Dagger is for any non-fiction work on a crime-related theme by an author of any nationality as long as the book was first published in the UK in English during the judging period. The Dagger encompasses, tho...


Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation

Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation Sponsored in honour of Dolores Jakubowski. This award is for crime novels (defined by the broadest definition to include thrillers, suspense novels and spy fiction) as long as the book was not originally wr...


Ian Fleming Steel Dagger

Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Ian Fleming said there was one essential criterion for a good thriller, ‘one simply has to turn the pages’. Eligible books in this category are thrillers set in any period and include, but are not limited to, spy fiction...


Short Story Dagger

Short Story Dagger This award is for any crime short story first published in the UK in English during the Judging Period, whether on its own or within an anthology or collection. Upon publication it must have been for sale to the public, either in ...


Daggers Dinner and Awards Ceremony

This year's Daggers Dinner and Awards Ceremony will take place on 4 July, 2024, at: Leonardo Royal Hotel London City 8-14 Cooper’s Row London EC3N 2BQ The event will include a three-course gourmet dinner, and all of the Daggers festivities. Th...


Galleries

Galleries Select from the dropdown on the right to see photos from our past events....


Dagger for the Best Crime & Mystery Publisher

Dagger for the Best Crime & Mystery Publisher This prestigious Dagger (often referred to as simply the “Publisher’s Dagger”) is awarded annually to the Best Crime and Mystery Publisher of the Year. Publishers and specific imprints are n...


Emerging Author Dagger Experience & Tips by Karabi Mitra

One of the most memorable experiences from last year was getting longlisted and subsequently shortlisted for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger (now known as the Emerging Author Dagger). This is awarded for the best opening of a crime novel and I was h...


The CWA Daggers

The Daggers The CWA awards thirteen Daggers in total. Nine of these are for books and short stories and are judged independently by industry professionals. Starting in 2024, in addition to the coveted Dagger trophy, Dagger winners will receive a on...


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