Date announced for crime writing celebration

[John Dean]

Libraries, booksellers, publishers and festivals are among those being invited to take part in National Crime Reading Month this June.

National Crime Reading Month is a unique festival, held throughout the UK, which promotes the crime genre. Hosted by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA), it will take place throughout the month of June, 2021.

Linda Stratmann, Chair of the CWA, said: “We want to invite bookshops, libraries, publishers, conventions and festivals that celebrate the crime genre, to take part. Our sister network, the Crime Readers’ Association (CRA), is one of the largest communities of crime genre readers in the world, so this June is a unique opportunity to get an author event or reading initiative in front of that dedicated audience.”

With Covid-19, the majority of events are expected to be online, or hybrid.

The CWA supports author members, alongside literary agents, publishers, bloggers and editors with a monthly magazine and website. It set up the Crime Readers’ Association (CRA) as a free network to give readers news and information, as well as offer tips for new writers working in the genre. Its monthly newsletter and bi-monthly ezine, Case Files, reaches over 11,500 subscribers.

Linda added: “We are now inviting the book world to get in touch to consult us over how our CWA members can participate nationwide in their crime-genre reading or writing initiatives, both fiction and non-fiction, which we’ll support via our websites and networks throughout June.”

Last year, Nielsen Book’s research found 41% of people said they were reading more books since lockdown measures were imposed last March, with interest in crime and thrillers increasing – 51% said it was because they wanted to stay entertained, and 35% felt books were providing “an escape from the crisis”.

Secretary of the CWA Dea Parkin added: “This summer, nobody knows if they’ll be able to escape abroad on holiday. One thing that is guaranteed is the option to escape through a good book. We hope National Crime Reading Month this June will lead the great escape we all desperately need after such a difficult year, and book lovers support this exciting celebration of reading.”

Established in 1953, the CWA is behind the prestigious Dagger awards.

National Crime Reading Month, which took place in May last year, is reverting to the June slot to coincide with the refreshed Dagger award dates for 2021. The Dagger longlists will be announced on April 15, the shortlists on May 20, and the winners on July 1.

To take part or submit an event to National Crime Reading Month this June, contact: [e-mail]