This week I attending the Crime Writer’s Association Awards dinner in London, which took place at The Leonardo City Hotel. For those of you who haven’t heard of them, this is the equivalent of the Oscars of Literary Awards in the UK.
This was the first time I’d attended the awards and I was very impressed with how well organised it was. It was a sparkling evening started with a drinks reception followed by dinner and then speeches from Elly Griffiths, Maxim Jakubowski and all presented spectacularly by Barry Forshaw and Victoria Selman who delivered the introductions with respect and humour.
There wasn’t a dull moment as the awards were kicked off with the posthumous RED HERRING for the much missed Thalia Proctor. An emotional award for many who knew and loved her, collected by her lovely family who I had the pleasure to sit with.
I’m delighted to share that FLESH OF A FANCY WOMAN by Paul Magrs, selected for Telos Publishing’s charity anthology CRIMINAL PURSUITS: CRIMES THROUGH TIME won the SHORT STORY DAGGER to much cheering! Paul generously donated this story to me as the editor of the collection for which all proceeds from sales go to POhWER.
This was an amazing win and also a fantastic tribute to the writers who took part in Criminal Pursuits, five of whom (Raven Dane, Bryony Pearce, Caroline England, Paul Magrs and Awais Khan) made the longlist. Paul, Bryony and Caroline went on to make the shortlist and were pitted against, Jo Nesbo, TM Logan and Robert Scragg. A prestigious line up indeed!
Well done to Paul and everyone one of the Dagger’s much deserved winners.
The full list is here: The Dagger Winners Announced On the Bookseller
A heartfelt thanks to all the judges who dedicate so much time reading for the awards and to CWA chair, Maxim Jakubowski, Antony Johnston, Dee Parking and all of the behind the scenes team at the CWA of which I am a very proud member!
