CWA Debut Dagger and querying agents

No. You can submit as you wish. Don't mention the contest in the query though. Being entered -- or even on the short list -- doesn't really mean anything.

rainsmom said:

No. You can submit as you wish. Don't mention the contest in the query though. Being entered -- or even on the short list -- doesn't really mean anything.

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You're half-right: being entered simply means you have written your opening and synopsis (not easy, I know), filled in the form and paid the £25 entry fee.

But being shortlisted is a considerable achievement. Several shortlisted authors (e.g. Louise Penny, Belinda Bauer) have gone on to greater success than the person who won that year. Read this article by leading agent Jane Gregory to find out how it really works.

I can live with that. I'm American and not familiar with the contest.

rainsmom said:

I can live with that. I'm American and not familiar with the contest.

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So why comment on something you now say you know little about?

Hi Mirandashell,

I'm in a similar situation, and I'm submitting like mad. I wouldn't mention the competition in your query, as it's only going to be relevant if you were short-listed or won.

So why comment on something you now say you know little about?

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Because I do know the answer to the question she asked, which was that it's fine to begin submitting the piece. I added about the contest because in the US the vast majority of contests are not viewed as highly.

I accepted your correction gracefully. Please don't be an ass. It's not welcome on this board.

Aye, Roger Cornwell, that was a bit uppity.

I'll join everyone else and say that it's fine to continue to submit: but if you do accept an offer to publish you must withdraw your ms from the competition immediately.

Roger_Cornwell said:

So why comment on something you now say you know little about

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Welcome to AW, Roger. As you're a newcomer I'm going to cut you some slack now and not slap your wrists for that: we have one core rule here which goes like this:

Respect your fellow writer.

This doesn't mean you can't debate or disagree; only that you have to do so with thought and care, and not with rudeness or aggression. If you haven't already done so then please read our Newbie Guide before you go any further.

In Roger's defence - and I'm a newbie here too, so please cut me some slack too - I think he is simply anxious that people aren't given the wrong impression about the competition. It's my understanding he runs the website for the Crime Writers' Association that runs the Debut Dagger competition.

MLBuckers said:

In Roger's defence - and I'm a newbie here too, so please cut me some slack too - I think he is simply anxious that people aren't given the wrong impression about the competition. It's my understanding he runs the website for the Crime Writers' Association that runs the Debut Dagger competition.

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And he's just done wonders for it's reputation.

Saying that, until I read this I'd never heard of it.

I have no objection to his correction about the contest. That was a perfectly proper post. This, however, was completely uncalled for:

So why comment on something you now say you know little about?

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Rule number one on AW is respect your fellow writer. That comment was rude and disrespectful, and it had nothing to do with the contest.