Crime Writers’ AssociationThe Crime Writers’ Associationis now open to self-publishers. From the CWA website:

For the first time in its 68-year history, the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association will allow self-published authors to join its ranks.

The move comes after the CWA consulted its members, who voted with an 84% majority in favour to accept self-published authors.

Maxim Jakubowski, Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, said: “The founding mission of the CWA was to support, promote and celebrate the crime genre and its authors. In the past, we only accepted traditionally published authors into the CWA, as this was the best indicator of quality. The publishing landscape has changed in recent years, and self-publishing has become a route for professional writers, and indeed there are many trailblazers in this field. The time is right to update our membership criteria.”

The post goes on:

Self-published authors wishing to become a CWA member will need to demonstrate a level of professionalism through a simple-to-complete application form. This will be available on the CWA website from 13 September, when the CWA will first accept applications.

The original membership form is here. It’s a fee-based membership, touting these benefits:

  • Meeting and networking with other crime writers – both at our events and virtually via our members-only Facebook page
  • The pleasure of attending our annual conference, exclusively for CWA crime writers
  • Discounts and special offers; for example 20% off your first year’s CWA membership for members of the Society of Authors
  • Meeting publicists, journalists, bloggers, editors and other associate member at our events
  • Our wide range of contacts in libraries and festivals, to help you organise and publicise your author events
  • Our monthly magazine, Red Herrings, and regular enewsletters full of news, events, and opportunities for crime writers
  • Selling your books and engaging directly with thousands of crime writing fans through our Crime Readers’ Association. As well as the website, where you can post blogs and have your books – complete with Amazon and Hive links – and profile featured in Find An Author, we send a regular newsletter featuring members’ news, and a bimonthly ezine with details of members’ new books, to a database of over 11,000 – all of which help our members to reach new audiences.
  • Access to a dedicated free tax helpline for members, kindly provided by HW Fisher & Company.
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