The Crime Writers’ Association

Trying Again, by Sherry Rankin

I do not have a risk-taking personality. The whole idea of attempting to find an agent and get published always seemed so daunting to me that, for decades, I was afraid even to try. I always loved to write, however. So a few years ago, I took stock o...


Bookshop of the Month – September 2021: Cogito Books

This month, author and co-Booksellers Champion, Vaseem Khan, writes about Cogito Books in Hexham, run by Claire Grint. Cogito Books is based in the rural market town of Hexham, in the beautiful county of Northumberland, home to castles and a nearb...


12 Criminally Good Hints for Crime Writing by Laraine Stephens

by Laraine Stephens   Start with reading in the crime genre. You'll pick up how different authors approach their craft. You’ll learn to recognise good writing and bad writing. Also, there’s great advice in books and blogs about how to ...


Bookseller of the Month – Jan 2023, Newham Bookshop

Vaseem Khan visits Newham Bookshop and speaks to owner Vivian Archer - and gets a little starstruck. 743-745 Barking Road London E13 9ER https://www.newhambooks.co.uk/ There aren’t many bookshops in the UK run by a bona fide screen star. ...


Alibis in the Archive 2023

Alibis in the Archive is, as everyone who has attended over the years knows, one of the most enjoyable occasions in the crime fiction lover’s calendar. You’ll have the chance to hear leading authors talk about fascinating topics in a wonderful...


Finding the Time to Write Your Debut Dagger Entry, by Antony Johnston

Finding time to write is something we all struggle with when we’re starting out. We have other commitments and obligations, things to do, a day job, maybe a family… ‘If only I could just have time to write and not worry about all this other stu...


Vaseem Khan elected Chair of the CWA

Vaseem Khan has been elected as the new Chair of the CWA at the association's AGM earlier this month, taking over from Maxim Jakubowski, who ably steered the CWA Chair for three years. Vaseem is the first non-white author to chair the CWA. Vaseem ...


Who Wunnit? CWA Dagger winners announced

Some two hundred agents, publishers and authors were present at the glamourous awards dinner at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, to find out the winners of the 2014 CWA Daggers. Alison Joseph, Chair of the CWA said: “Our Daggers Awards dinner is a...


Sam Blake – Murder ONE

Sam Blake is the founder of the Murder ONE International Crime Writing Festival – Ireland’s first designated crime festival, taking place in Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature, in November 2018. For a first festival the line-up of crime writers...


Bookseller of the Month: November 2022 – Bert’s Books

As part of the new CWA Bookshops Champion initiative, we want to celebrate bookshops, because we believe bookshops don’t just sell our books – they bring our streets alive. This month, William Shaw introduces us to Bert's Books in Swindon. Ber...


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