Why Do We Write Fiction? by Patricia FinneyYes, I know Terry Pratchett got here first but I can’t find the relevant quote from his Witches Abroad. I mean seriously. Why? Why do we sit down for many many many hours, busily writing long ex...
CWA Announce Longlists for Prestigious Crime Writing DaggersThe Crime Writers’ Association announced the much anticipated longlists for the annual Dagger awards at a reception during CrimeFest in Bristol on the evening of Friday 18 May. Several titles ap...
Case Files 32Case Files issue 31 – out soon! Case Files is an ezine that profiles new or forthcoming novels from members of the Crime Writers’ Association. Subscribing is free – and it let’...
National Crime Reading Month 2018 UnderwayNational Crime Reading Month, an initiative promoted by the CWA, is now underway, with libraries, bookshops and writing festivals throughout the country hosting events and talks this month with author...
Historical Noir by Barry ForshawBarry Forshaw, one of the UK’s leading experts on crime fiction, has written a lively, wide-ranging and immensely informed history of the genre as part of his award-winning ‘Noir’ series (that include...
Where do you get your ideas? Crime writer Peter Bartram lifts the lid on his source…When people hear that I’m a crime writer, the question they ask most often is: where do you get your ideas from? I guess I’m not alone among crime writers in finding that’s the numbe...
Writing as Escapism by AJ WainesHave you ever been caught daydreaming? Missed your stop on the bus because your mind was miles away? Been hauled up for staring out of the classroom window as a child? If so, you probably learnt that...
Death in Shetland Waters by Marsali TaylorCass Lynch has achieved the post of third officer aboard her beloved ship, Sorlandet. They’re sailing from Norway to Ireland as part of the Tall Ships race when an unnerving early-morning encounter le...
Going Fishing, by Gary ConnollyFor me, stories begin with images more often than not. Sometimes they’re grainy, but more often visceral and clear. Blood Will Be Born started in this way and was written on and off between 2014 and 2...
2000 Years in 900 Words: Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine’s Innovative Crime Flash FictionWilliam Burton McCormick Flash fiction is not a genre that often allows room for substantial flashbacks, backstory or large degrees of introspection. When writers do include these elements, they must...
Turning real historical crimes into cosy fiction, by Karen CharltonKaren is author of The Detective Lavender Mysteries. I first came across Stephen Lavender, a Principal Officer with the Bow Street Police Office while researching one of Northumberland’s biggest robbe...
Case Files 31Case Files issue 31 – out soon! Case Files is an ezine that profiles new or forthcoming novels from members of the Crime Writers’ Association. Subscribing is free – and it let’...
Finding the Plot by Bill Kitson‘There’s always a story. It’s all stories, really. The sun coming up every day is a story. Everything’s got a story in it. Change the story, change the world.’ Terry Pratchett One of...
Going Against the Grain by Antony JohnstonIt’s time to admit that I enjoy going against the grain. Until now I’ve been best known as a graphic novelist, and I’ve had my share of success; a couple of New York Times bestsellers, some critical a...
Everything is Lies by Helen CallaghanHelen Callaghan‘s thrilling debut novel, Dear Amy, was a Sunday Times bestseller. This month sees the release of her second book, Everything Is Lies. What if your parents had been lying to you s...
CWA Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition 2018 Now OpenThe Crime Writers’ Association are once again running the prestigious Margery Allingham Short Story Competition in 2018. The international competition is for an unpublished story in under 3,500 words...
Lady First by Lea O’HarraLea O’Harra on her new novel, the third in the Inspector Inoue mystery series, published by Endeavour Press, and the themes and concerns that underpin it. Fujikawa, a small town in rural, western Japa...
Mystery Tour, the new CWA Short Story AnthologyThe CWA Anthology series are collections of short stories by members of the Crime Writers’ Association and celebrate the best of crime writing by showcasing both established and emerging talent. The l...
Balkan Noir and the Woman with a Bullet in her Leg by Cal SmythI wanted to write a crime novel set in Belgrade for a long time as it’s a fascinating city and perfect for Balkan Noir. I’ve also loved two Serbian women, my son is half Serbian and I lived in Belgrad...
UPCOMING THRILLER DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM CELEBRITY STALKERS by Khaled TalibSandra Bullock called 911 after an intruder broke into her house. Brook Shields was stalked for years by an obsessive fan. A woman threatened to cut Catherine-Zeta Jones into pieces and feed her to a...
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Case Files 43
The CRA Newsletter: March 2020
The CRA Newsletter: February 2020