The Crime Readers' Association

Crime Readers' Association

The CRA was set up by the Crime Writers' Association to give readers news and information from their favourite authors along with tips for new writers working in the genre.

Linda StratmannLinda Stratmann - CWA Chair

Featured
Author

Neil Root

I am fascinated by crime, psychology and history, and I write both crime non-fiction (true crime) and crime fiction. Covering Darkness: Writing True Crime, published by Greenwich Exchange Publishing,...

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Latest from our blog

Changing Genres by Leigh Russell

29th March 2021

Writers are wordsmiths. We spend our time playing with words, seeing how we can use them to communicate. But ideas as well as language inspire the books we write, and these ideas can pop up unbidden f... Read more

“Not so much Dun-Roamin’ as having discovered a whole new genre to roam.” – by Simon Scarrow

19th March 2021

I was on a panel of ‘Roman’ writers at a festival in Harrogate some years ago when a member of the audience asked us if we’d ever contemplate writing outside that historical period. I was quite surpri... Read more

When Covid 19 clips your wings, why not plan a crime festival?

17th March 2021

By Beverley Jones, author of The Beach House. Remember last summer, when we were all staying home, protecting the NHS and clapping for carers? Little did we know how thoroughly Covid 19 would affect u... Read more

‘The Challenges of Writing a Series’ by Pauline Rowson

12th March 2021

Dead Sea, number four in the Marvik mystery thriller series, was a difficult book to write, not because there was any lack of ideas for the storyline but because it needed to pick up the threads of an... Read more

Martina Cole Awarded the 2021 CWA Diamond Dagger

23rd February 2021

Martina Cole is the recipient of the highest honour in British crime writing, the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Diamond Dagger. The long-reigning Queen of Crime Drama is a publishing powerhouse. Ma... Read more

‘Karloff, the 60’s, and the First Truly Modern Crime Story’ by Joseph Schneider

22nd January 2021

“Mr. Boogey Man,” “King of Blood” they used to call me. Marx Brothers make you laugh, Garbo makes you weep, Orlock makes you scream. – Boris Karloff as Byron Orlock, Targets It’s 1967, and Peter Bogda... Read more

CWA Daggers on the BBC – and YouTube

25th November 2020

The CWA Daggers were recently featured on BBC Look North, focused on CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger winner Trevor Wood and his work at The People’s Kitchen in Newcastle, inspiration for his debut... Read more

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Join the CRA

Joining the CRA is FREE. There are no lengthy forms to fill out and we need nothing but your email. You will receive a regular newsletter but no spam.

Interested in writing?

Crime reading and writing has never been so popular. We support new writers and our experienced Crime Writers are here to offer the benefit of their experience.
We also have competitions,
the Debut Dagger and
our Criminal Critiques
and Editing service.

Just don’t forget us when
you hit the big time.

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