CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger

しーだぶりゅーえーいあんふれみんぐすてぃーるだがー

An annual award presented by the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) for the year’s outstanding thriller novel, sponsored by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.

thrillercrime fictionspy fictionaction/adventure

Established: 2002
Organizer: Crime Writers' Association (CWA)
Category: Genre Fiction
Selection Method: Recommendation
Target: Professional
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around July–October
Status: Active

Description

The CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger is a thriller novel award presented annually by the UK's Crime Writers' Association, sponsored by the Ian Fleming estate. It targets works fitting the broad definition of thriller (including spy novels, action/adventure, etc., but not limited thereto), with 'page-turner' quality—compelling readers to keep turning pages—being a key evaluation criterion.

Prize

Main Prize: Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (trophy / honor)

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Nomination (Submission)	Accepts nominations from publishers or rights holders; CWA confirms receipt	—	After submission period ends, CWA creates longlist internally
Shortlist Selection (Finalists)	CWA Selection Committee (varies by year)	—	Announced on CWA official site or press releases (e.g., around May each year)
Final Selection and Winner Determination	Final vote and deliberation by CWA Selection Committee	—	Winners announced via CWA announcements and events (often summer to autumn)

Nomination (Submission)

Judges Accepts nominations from publishers or rights holders; CWA confirms receipt

Announcement After submission period ends, CWA creates longlist internally

Shortlist Selection (Finalists)

Judges CWA Selection Committee (varies by year)

Announcement Announced on CWA official site or press releases (e.g., around May each year)

Final Selection and Winner Determination

Judges Final vote and deliberation by CWA Selection Committee

Announcement Winners announced via CWA announcements and events (often summer to autumn)

Criteria

"Makes you simply turn the pages" tension and pace (Ian Fleming standard)
Plot strength and structure
Character appeal and depiction
Story originality and suitability as thriller
Style, narrative quality, and readability

Application Tips

Dos

Submit through publishers or official entry channels by the deadline
Attach promotional or recommendation text emphasizing thriller qualities (pace, tension, page-turner appeal)
Confirm publication date fits the specified period
Submit proofread final version with metadata (ISBN, publication date, etc.) clearly indicated

Don''ts

Do not submit works far outside the genre (thriller suitability is crucial)
Unproofread/incomplete manuscripts or non-standard formats
Reprints or past works outside the target period (check entry requirements)

From Judges

Emphasizes Ian Fleming's words "one simply has to turn the pages" (= power to keep turning pages is key)
Evaluates pace, tension, and plot drive
High polish (structure, style, editing) favors selection