Khan crowned CWA chair

The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) has elected Vaseem Khan as its new chair. 

Khan was voted in as chair earlier this month at the CWA’s annual general meeting, taking over from writer and editor Maxim Jakubowski. Khan is the first non-white author to chair the CWA. The CWA, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, was founded in 1953 by the author John Creasey. 

Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India, the Baby Ganesh Agency series, and the Malabar House historical crime novels. Khan’s debut, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra (Hodder & Stoughton), became a top 10 bestseller, and was translated into 17 languages. He was awarded the CWA Historical Dagger for Midnight at Malabar House (H&S). 

He also hosts crime fiction podcasts with Abir Mukherjee, “The Red Hot Chilli Writers”, and created an online course Writing Crime Fiction for Curtis Brown Creative. 

Khan said: “It goes without saying that following in the footsteps of crime fiction greats such as Ian Rankin, Dick Francis, Peter James, and Lindsey Davis, is a singular honour. Crime writing has led the way in opening itself up to new voices and new stories.” 

He added: “When I was published, almost a decade ago, I didn’t know anyone. I was told by my agent to join the CWA and I found some friends here, and suddenly I felt less alone in an industry that can be truly frightening and confusing. 

“My vision for the CWA is for it to be a home for all crime writers, whether you’ve sold 10 million copies or 10 copies. It should be a place where writers of all backgrounds can come, and know that they will be treated with respect.  

“Our board is now the most diverse it has ever been, in terms of age, gender, and background, reflecting the incredibly broad church that crime writing now represents.” 

Jakubowski, will formerly hand over the Creasey Bell to Vaseem Khan at the annual Dagger Awards hosted in London on 6th July, a tradition passed on from chair to chair for 70 years.