The Crime Writers’ Association

Become a crime scene investigator for the day or night …

For all real -life crime fans and forensic science enthusiasts comes 4 exclusive events which reveal the wonders of forensic science in crime scene detection. Join eminent forensic scientists Tracy Alexander and Jo Millington as they guide you throu...


About the CWA

About the CWA The Crime Writers’ Association was founded in 1953 by John Creasey (pictured). Our overall aim is to support, promote and celebrate this most durable, adaptable and successful of genres. The CWA’s everyday aim is to support writers...


Private: How I Wrote 20 Mystery eBooks In 20 Months by C T Mitchell

How I Wrote 20 Mystery eBooks In 20 Months How I Wrote 20 Mystery eBooks In 20 Months October 17, 2017 / Writing / By CT Mitchell Have you ever wanted to write mystery eBooks but procrastinated for so long you never got started? You...


Bookshop of the Month – December 2021: Griffin Books

Griffin Books in Penarth is one of those shops writers love to be invited to. It’s run by the amazing Mel Griffin who bought the shop nine years ago and turned it into a real community hub – with brilliantly run book events. What inspired you ...


Gold Dagger

Gold Dagger This award is for the best crime novel by an author of any nationality, originally written in English and first published in the UK during the judging period. The broadest definition of the crime novel applies. Eligible books include thr...


Murder in the Library!

Author Talk with Leye Adenle, Alison Bruce & James Carol Celebrate National Libraries Week with the launch of our new bi-monthly Crime Panel, where best-selling authors will visit Chiswick and Osterley Libraries. With the CWA Daggers due to be a...


“Killing People for Fun and Profit” a guest lecture by Val McDermid

The Literary Leicester Festival welcomes bestselling author Val McDermid cto Leicester discuss her writing, her inspirations and the fatal attraction of crime fiction. CWA Diamond Dagger recipient, Val McDermid, has sold over 15 million books to d...


CWA Announce Longlists for Prestigious Crime Writing Daggers

The Crime Writers’ Association announced the much anticipated longlists for the annual CWA Dagger awards for the best of the year’s crime writing at a reception during international convention CrimeFest in Bristol on the evening of Friday 10 May....


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...


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...


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


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