The CWA Debut Dagger Competition

Competition Rules

These are the rules for the 2009 competition, which runs from 1st November 2008 till 7th February 2009.

The competition is open to anyone who has not had a novel published, commercially, in any genre. Published non-fiction or short-story writers may enter. Self-published and/or e-published writers of novel length works must before completing the entry form. Any number of entries accepted provided that each is accompanied by the entrance fee of £25.

1. Entrants should submit the opening of a proposed crime novel (up to 3,000 words) together with a synopsis (500 to 1,000 words) of its further development.
2. Entries may be submitted at any time between 1st November 2008 and the closing date of 7th February 2009. Entries received after this date will not be considered. Please use the postal system as couriers will not deliver to PO Box numbers.
3. An entry fee of £25 must be sent with each submission. Only cheques or postal orders in pounds sterling (made out to the Crime Writers' Association) or International Money Orders (Bankers' Orders) can be accepted. (But see below for online entries, for which credit card payments are accepted.)
4. Submissions must be in English, typed using double-line spacing and unbound. Postal entries should be submitted on either A4 (210 x 297mm) or US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) paper, and have a completed entry form attached to the front.
5. A shortlist of entries, selected by professional readers, will be forwarded to a final judging panel chaired by the CWA Chairman, and composed of crime fiction editors from major publishing houses and authors' agents. The judges' decision is final. The winner will be announced at the CWA Daggers' Awards.
6. Short-listed authors will receive a selection of crime novels, plus a professional assessment of their entry. The winner will receive £500 plus an accommodation package for two people at a London hotel. There are no cash alternatives to non-cash prizes.
7. There is no commitment to publish the winning entry.
8. Copyright will remain with the entrant.
9. Entries will not be returned. For confirmation of receipt send a stamped, self-addressed postcard. (Overseas competitors please note that an International Reply Coupon must be sent with the postcard in lieu of stamps.)
10. Entries should be sent to the advertised PO Box (this is only available when the competition is open).

Additional rules for online entry

1. Entries must be submitted by 11:59pm Greenwich Mean Time on 7th February 2009. The website will no longer accept entries after this time.
2. All entries must be submitted as a single file containing both the opening 3000 words and the synopsis. The file should be saved with the text double-spaced and the margins set for A4 paper (210 x 297mm).
3. The file must be in one of the following formats: Microsoft Word Document (*.doc); Rich Text File (*.rtf); or Portable Document Format (*.pdf)
4. The entrant is responsible for ensuring that the file is readable and uncorrupted.
5. The file cannot be amended or changed in any way once it has been submitted.
6. Any entrant who submits a file or e-mail containing a virus will be immediately disqualified and will forfeit their entry fee.
7. We will acknowledge receipt of entries and payment by e-mail.
8. At our discretion, and only where practicable, we may notify an entrant of an unreadable file and invite them to resubmit the entry.

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