Who We Are

We are the national professional association for mystery and crime writers in Canada!

Mandate:  

Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) is a national non-profit organization for Canadian mystery and crime writers, associated professionals, and others with a serious interest in Canadian crime writing. Our mission is to promote Canadian crime writing and to raise the profile of Canadian crime writers with readers, reviewers, librarians, booksellers, and media. 

The CWC has sponsored Canada's Arthur Ellis Awards for Crime and Mystery Writing since 1984. 

What is Crime Writing?

The field of Crime Writing is a broad category that includes crime, detective, espionage, mystery, suspense, and thriller writing, as well as fictional or factual accounts of criminal doings and crime-themed literary works. Cross-over novels and short stories such as romantic suspense and speculative thrillers are also considered part of the genre. In broader terms, it includes any book-length work, novella or short-story that features crime or mystery as a central element. 

History:  

Crime Writers of Canada was established as a professional organization in June of 1982 by Derrick Murdoch, the Globe and Mail’s crime fiction reviewer, and other writers interested in the quality of Canadian mystery and crime writing. The following year the Canadian National Arthur Ellis (AE) Awards for Excellence in Crime Writing were launched. Please note a special annual Derrick Murdoch Award was created in honour of Derrick Murdoch’s inspired creation of CWC. 

In 2005, a written constitution formalized the rules and principles of CWC, and in 2006 the organization was federally incorporated as a non-profit corporation by the Canadian Ministry of Industry. We are in the process of acquiring National Arts Service Organization (NASO) status.

 As a non-profit organization, our activities are made possible by hard-working volunteers and committees. Our activities have two main goals: author promotion and professional development.

 Achievements:  

 1. Author promotion (click here to read more) 

1. Annual Arthur Ellis Awards… 
2. Arthur Ellis Award Shortlist Events held across Canada…
3. Arthur Ellis Awards Banquet…
4. Best Unpublished Crime Novel…
5. National Crime Writing Month (NCWM) …
6. Cool Canadian Crime: Book Catalogue & Quarterly…
7. Crime Beat Public e-Newsletter …
8. Author Events Notification…
9. Participation in other Regional, National & International Events…
10. New CWC Website…
11. Other Promotional Works…

2. Professional development for members (click here to read more)

•  Mentorship Program…
•  Crime Time On-line Newsletter for Members...
•  Discussion forums on our website
•  Workshops…