The crime writing genre’s oldest
and most famous award has had an injection of new blood thanks to a new
sponsor.
Author Karen Baugh Menuhin is
sponsoring its highest accolade, the CWA Diamond Dagger.
One of the UK’s most prominent
writers’ societies, the CWA was founded by the prolific author John Creasey in
1953.
The very first CWA awards
ceremony was hosted in 1965, with Agatha Christie as the principal guest, and
the awards have become known as the ‘Oscars of the crime genre.’
The Diamond Dagger was introduced
in 1986 and is considered the UK’s most prestigious lifetime achievement award
for crime writers. Presented annually, nominations for the award are put
forward by CWA members and selected by a vote of past Diamond Dagger winners.
Past recipients include Mick Herron, Lynda La Plante, John Le Carré, PD James, Ian Rankin, Ann Cleeves, Lee Child, Frederick Forsyth, and Michael Connelly.
Karen Baugh Menuhin is a
bestselling author whose murder mystery novels have sold over a million copies.
She lives in the Cotswolds with her husband, Krov Menuhin – retired explorer,
natural history filmmaker, and eldest son of Lord Yehudi Menuhin.
Karen Baugh Menuhin said: “I’ve
always been a huge fan of historical fiction, Downton Abbey, and murder
mystery. I began writing a few years ago at the age of 60 – which just goes to
show it's never too late. I decided to take the independent route and have been
extremely fortunate that my books have resonated with fans. In the last few
years, I’ve reached number 1 in the USA and sold over a million books. Crime
fiction has given me so much pleasure as a reader and a writer, and I’m very
proud to be able to give something back. Sponsoring the CWA Diamond Dagger is
arguably the most esteemed award in crime fiction and it's a huge honour to be
involved in supporting the CWA in this.”
Maxim Jakubowski, chair of the
CWA Daggers’ committee, said: “I am delighted that Karen Menuhin has come
forward to personally sponsor the CWA Diamond Dagger. Following a handful and
more of decades when the award was sponsored in turn by a variety of welcome
corporate bodies, it is gratifying to find an author with a belief in our crime
& mystery community willing to take over the flame.”
The Daggers celebrate the best in
crime writing, and feature 13 Dagger Awards in total, celebrating established
careers as well as new talent, with the Emerging Author Dagger, open to
unpublished authors. To date, agents and editors have signed over two dozen of
these emerging authors.
Nadine Matheson, Chair of the
CWA, said: “I’m delighted to have Karen Baugh Menuhin as the sponsor of the CWA
Diamond Dagger. The Diamond Dagger is the highest honour in crime writing,
celebrating a lifetime of extraordinary commitment, creativity, and contribution
to the genre. Karen’s generosity and support ensure that this prestigious award
continues to recognise the writers whose work has shaped, inspired, and
elevated the world of crime fiction.”
Other sponsors of the Daggers
include the family-owned company that looks after the James Bond literary
brand, Ian Fleming Publications, with the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for best
thriller, Kevin Anderson and Associates who sponsor the Gold Dagger, and the
Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS), a not-for profit organisation
that supports authors to receive fair payment, sponsor the ALCS Gold Dagger for
Non-Fiction.
Sponsor of the John Creasey First
Novel Dagger is the intellectual property specialists, International Literary
Properties (ILP). Also, the author Maxim Jakubowski sponsors the Crime Fiction
in Translation award in honour of his wife Dolores, the editorial consultancy
Fiction Feedback sponsor the Emerging Author Dagger, and Morgan Witzel sponsors
the Historical Dagger in memory of his wife, the writer Dr Marilyn Livingstone.
The CWA’s founding aims were to
provide a social network, as well as help crime writers with business matters.
Today, the CWA’s determination to promote the genre remains central to its
mission.
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