Authors like Val McDermid and Ian Rankin are well-known amongst the readers of crime fiction but, beneath the top rank of bestsellers are a host of writers, some new and some who have built loyal followings over the years but who have never quite broken through. It is to give a boost to these authors that the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger in the Library Award exists.
Unlike most other literary prizes, the Dagger in the Library is awarded for the author’s body of work, rather than an individual book. Last year’s winner was Mo Hayder, and previous winners have included Colin Cotterill, Stuart MacBride and Craig Russell.
Kindly sponsored by the publishers, Random House, the Dagger is awarded to a writer nominated by library users and reading groups, and chosen by a panel of librarians, all of whom work with the public. This year’s panel is chaired by Karen Fraser, Executive Manager at Shetland Library, and includes librarians from throughout the UK.
Get nominating through your library
Nominations are open for the Crime Writers Association Dagger in the Library and will close on 31 March 2012.
You can nominate authors using the form available from the CWA website. Entries from reading groups or individuals are submitted through libraries. The nominated authors must be alive, preferably working in Britain and cannot have won the award before. As the award is for a body of work, authors should have published at least three books. Reading groups who have nominated the winning author will be entered into a draw for £300 to be spent on books.
You can also download a poster to encourage nominations.
Key dates
April 2012 – longlisted authors announced
May 2012 – shortlisted authors announced
Summer 2012 – winner will be announced at an awards ceremony
All groups whose nominated authors are shortlisted are entered into a draw for two tickets to the award announcements.
