These are the rules for the 2009 Daggers. The current (2010) rules are here.
The entry period in all categories except the Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction and the Ellis Peters Historical Award is for books that have been published in the UK between June 1 2008 and May 31 2009, with a final closing date for entries of April 17 2009 (see General Rules).
It is an absolute condition of entry that publishers print the wording, including where appropriate the name(s) of sponsor(s), provided by the Association on subsequent editions of shortlisted and winners’ books. Submission of any entry will be taken as complete acceptance of this rule.
The correct titles for the Dagger Awards are:
The CWA Gold Dagger
The CWA International Dagger
The CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger
The CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction
The CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger
The CWA Dagger in the Library
The Ellis Peters Historical Award
The CWA Debut Dagger
The CWA Short Story Dagger
It is also an absolute condition of entry that publishers agree to pay as follows for each of their titles that are placed on the following shortlists. This will be used by the CWA to offset the costs of organising the Daggers and the awards ceremony:
The CWA Gold Dagger: £500
The CWA International Dagger: £200
The CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger: £200
The CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction: £100
The CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger: £100
Submission of any book will be taken as complete and unqualified acceptance of this rule.
Any UK publisher may enter books provided that the book is relevant to the appropriate award and was published within the specified dates. We must point out that it is unlikely that judges will give serious consideration to books that have not been professionally published by recognised publishing houses. “Vanity” publications and those whose publication has been partly or wholly subsidised by the author, and “Branded” books, in which another person writes for the original author, are unlikely to be considered. Please note that the dates below do not apply to the biennial Non-Fiction Dagger.
The judging period runs from June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009 inclusive. Final submissions must be made by April 17, 2009 to prevent a backlog of titles arriving in the final weeks. For books published between 17 April and the end of May 2009, bound proofs are acceptable; otherwise, finished copies must be sent.
After November 1, 2008, any title submitted more than 30 days after its original publication date for the Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction, the John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger, or the Short Story Dagger may be excluded at the discretion of the appropriate Chair of Judges. After November 15, 2008, any title submitted more than 30 days after its original publication date for the Gold Dagger, the International Dagger, or the Steel Dagger may be excluded at the discretion of the appropriate Chair of Judges.
An entry form must be completed for each title submitted and sent to the Chair of the relevant judging panel. The master form below may be printed or photocopied as many times as you require.
Publishers are asked that when they send books, they ensure that the label on each package bears the name of the award for which the book is being submitted.
Where a book is being entered for more than one award, copies must be sent to the judges of all appropriate panels.
It is a condition of entry that publishers make every effort to ensure that any shortlisted author attends the Awards Ceremony.
It is a condition of entry that publishers will, on request, provide a cover image and author photograph with the necessary clearances for use on the CWA web site.
Please submit only those titles that have a realistic chance of winning. Sending an entire list places an unnecessary burden on the judges.
Shortlists will be drawn up at the end of May 2009 with the winners announced at the Awards Ceremony later in the year. The date and location of the ceremony will be announced once they have been finalised.
.Authors in contention for the Dagger in the Library are nominated by UK libraries and Readers' Groups and judged by a panel of librarians.
The Ellis Peters Historical Award carries a prize of £3,000 and is sponsored by the Estate of Ellis Peters. It is awarded in the autumn.