Dave Wickenden is a Canadian thriller author known for drawing on a life packed with real‑world intensity. Before becoming a novelist, he served in the Canadian Armed Forces and later spent 31 years in the Fire Service, eventually retiring as Deputy Fire Chief.
He’s as comfortable handling emergencies as writing about them—having saved multiple lives using CPR and a defibrillator. Outside of writing, he enjoys cooking, reading, and drawing, and even ran a custom art business specializing in pyrography; one of his pieces of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien hangs in Rideau Hall.
His books often reflect the high‑stakes environments he knows so well, blending action, crisis, and human resilience.
10 Questions for Dave
If they were making a movie from one of your books, who would play the protagonist?
I have adapted by vigilante story, IN DEFENSE OF INNOCENCE, into both a feature film script and a TV pilot. Both are in the market currently, so if you know any producers… (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) Laura Amour is a Canadian PTSD therapist who begins a crusade, killing child exploiters worldwide. As part of my pitch package, I chose Alexandra Daddario as my main protagonist.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Definitely a pantser. Most times, I start with a story idea, and I may or may not have an ending in mind, but I allow the story to follow its own path during the first draft. I love being surprised where a character takes me and why should the reader have all the fun. I do a ton of research for my books, so often the research will lead me into totally unfamiliar ground.
In my screenwriting, I use an outline as this is the way I was taught thought the courses I’ve taken. I can see where it helps guide the writer, but I don’t like being contained when I’m being creative and usually allow the story to find its way, especially during the first draft.
Has a real person ever inspired you to kill them (in your book)?
Yes. In HOMEGROWN 2018, my antagonist, an ISIS terrorist, kills Putin and his entire government during the Victory Day parade in Red Square. Ukraine should not be having all the trouble it is facing today.
In my original draft, I had Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton facing off at an election debate, which is then threatened by terrorists. I had studied Trump’s speech patterns and body language and wrote what I thought of as an accurate scene of how he would act under a real threat. My publisher warned me that if I kept it as it was written, Trump would sue me as he has everyone who has ever stood up to him. Consequently, I changed the ending. I now avoid using real people.
If you could only choose one, would you rather be a wealthy writer or a famous author? (ie, you can write and sell e-books and make over $400K/year, but your neighbour doesn’t even know you’re a writer or win lots of awards, but for some reason, it doesn’t translate into book sales)
I, for one, would never turn down money. I have no interest in fame. I am a real stay - at - home person. Rather than attending ceremonies, I much prefer driving across this fantastic country and soaking in the beauty. I can sit in a boat for hours on end without speaking. Catching a fish is just a bonus. It’s the peace and quiet I covet.
Not that I do not enjoy being with people. I look forward to getting together with friends and meeting new ones. I spend at least half the year attending markets to sell my books, and I love meeting my readers. Their enthusiasm for my stories is all the motivation I need to keep writing.
What is your goal as a writer?
My long-time goal is to find an agent to help me move into the bigger leagues. I would much rather do more writing and less time selling and marketing, not that I would give it up entirely. It would also get my books to more people through better distribution.
The other goal is to see one of my books made into a movie. For those of you who do not know, I have taken screenwriting courses for years now and have adapted several of my books into feature scripts and have placed in screenwriting contests, which is one of the major ways to gain recognition in the movie business. My TV pilot, Defending Innocence, which stems from my vigilante series recently placed as a quarterfinalist and we should know by the end of the month if it advances to the semis.
What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most? (ie, first draft, outlining, editing)
I love it all. Of course, the first draft is the freest and exciting as a writer. The re-writing can be daunting at first, but I know the end result will make the book better. For my last two novels, I worked with an editor who is a joy to work with. We have become friends and send jokes back and forth, even when we are in-between projects.
Who is your favourite Canadian author (live or dead, it doesn’t have to be mystery)?
That’s a tough one. I’ll be honest, until I joined the CWC, I never paid attention to where the author originated. I read anything that fell my way. After joining CWC, I saw an interview with Louise Penny. This was around the time she released STATE OF TERROR. I was impressed with her interview so gave the story a try and fell in love with her writing. I have read quite a few of her Inspector Gamache stories since.
I met Rick Mofina the same way, through a CWC interview. He was so laid back and easy going that jumped into his books with both feet. The first thing I read from Lynwood Barklay was Ford AbomiNation and I laughed out loud more times than I recall. I have been a real fan since including his first horror, WHISTLE.
Outside of the CWC, I love almost all of Scott Overton’s books. Scott is a Sudbury author and we have sold books together at different events for years now. Although his first novel is a mystery, his heart is in the SciFi genre. His books are action packed similar to Michael Crichton.
What is your favourite book?
That’s a hard one. I think it’s a toss-up between Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Identity and Robert R. McCammon. I have read both multiple times.
What is your favourite movie?
Another tie. Shawshank and Stand by Me. Both Stephen King adaptations.
Who was the best James Bond?
What kind of question is this? Everyone knows that there was only one true James Bond. Sean Connery.
Andrew Barbero lives and works in Calgary, Alberta, where he practices law and writes fiction on the side. A graduate of the University of Calgary’s creative writing and English literature program, his short stories and journalism have appeared across Western Canada. He is currently completing his first crime novel and co-authoring a young adult project with novelist Marc Herman Lynch. When he’s not working, Andrew is happiest browsing bookshops or reading by the lake at his family cabin.
10 Questions for Andrew
Who is your favourite Canadian author (live or dead, doesn’t have to be mystery)?
There are so many excellent Canadian writers, but I’d spotlight my first favourite — Eric Wilson. He wrote those tremendous Tom and Liz Austen young adult books with titles like Murder on the Canadian, Vampires of Ottawa, and Code Red at the Supermall that made me fall in love with mysteries when I was a kid. The books were unapologetically Canadian, and for kids inundated with American culture, it hadn't occurred to us that our own country could be seen as an ideal setting for thrillers. Tom and Liz solved mysteries across most provinces and even a territory or two, bringing well-written, well-plotted crime stories to locales that young readers would know firsthand. He had a tremendous impact on many readers and writers of my generation, which the CWC recognized when Wilson was awarded the Derrick Murdoch Award for lifetime achievement in 1990.
What is your favourite movie?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just one, but my first thought was The Grand Budapest Hotel, written and directed by Wes Anderson. I love Anderson’s eye and originality, and I admire the character-driven, fun murder-mystery plot that explores a beautiful world, big themes, and sincere emotion. It’s a gem.
If you could move to any province (or specific city in Canada) where would you live? (You can choose to stay where you are)
I am Calgary-born and raised, but my family has a cabin in the Shuswap region of British Columbia, and there’s little better than being on the water and in the deep woods out that way.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a hardcore plotter. My idea of heaven is my home office covered in beat sheets, a flow chart, diagrams of different levels of conflict, visual aids of five-act structures plotted out on a whiteboard, and scenes written on colour-coded index cards tacked up on the wall.
On average, how long do you write in a day?
My best progress comes from hitting a word target goal rather than a time goal each day. Working a full-time job, volunteering and living life, 1,000 words is a good day for me. If that takes 40 minutes, that’s great. If that takes 3 hours, that’s less great. But it is the number of words, not the time, that I use to mark a successful day.
Have you ever travelled somewhere and thought, I’m going to set my next novel here?
My travels once took me to Nazaré, Portugal, which is world-famous among surfers for its incredible 15- to 20-metre waves. However, what struck me was the funicular system that connects the portion of the town by the sea with the portion of town perched on the clifftop, the narrow streets, medieval churches, and a unique headscarf and flannel skirt combo worn by the town’s women (although the outfit is primarily used to pull in the tourists now). It was an unexpected burst of natural, mechanical and cultural intrigue. I broke off from my friends to sit at a cafe and cram as many notes on sounds, sights, smells and plot ideas on my phone as I could before getting dragged away for more sightseeing.
Do you have any unfinished manuscripts in your drawer/computer?
Absolutely. I’m like most writers, I imagine, in that I’ve had ideas that have lived in the back of my mind for many years, waiting their turn to be polished into what I hoped they could be, or to find the time to put the words on paper finally.
Are you proud of the first novel/story that you wrote? And, did you let other people read it?
I am proud of the first novel I wrote, more for the fact that I wrote it than the work itself. There’s something about proving to yourself that you are capable of producing that full-length manuscript, and once you clear that hurdle in your mind, every other idea seems executable. That’s invigorating.
I was fortunate enough to have a full critique of the manuscript in a creative writing workshop. I learned a lot about writing, so even if nothing ever comes of that manuscript, it will always be important to me and my development as a writer.
Are you part of a writing critique group?
I was fortunate to make life-long friends in my creative writing classes in university. That cohort of writers stayed together to form a writing group after graduation. We called ourselves “More Soup Than Man” (for reasons I won’t explain here), and it was a wonderful community for many years. We had more than twenty writers flow in and out of the group over the years, but the group saw its members through three published novels, master's and PhD theses, and dozens of manuscripts, comic books, and even a scripted podcast. Marriages, children, Covid, moves, and life have dwindled the membership in recent years, but that’s the group where I began working with my writing partner, Marc Herman Lynch, with whom I am currently working on a young adult project.
What is your goal as a writer?
Primarily, the goal is to fully express the ideas in my head and put in the effort to write a book that I can be proud of. That's what I can control, so that's where my focus goes.
Warm up this autumn with a Crime Writers of Canada panel discussion on cozy mysteries!
Moderator Jass Aujla (author of Next Of Twin and Regional Director for
Crime Writers of Canada) is joined by fellow writers Ginger Bolton (Sour
Crime Donuts), Karen Grose (All June Left Behind), Desmond P. Ryan
(Mary-Margaret and The Case of The Thieving Barmaid), and Danee Wilson
(Death at Fort York) to discuss this beloved sub-genre.
Learn about the inspirations and process of writing cozy mysteries in a
fun conversation that will educate aspiring authors and mystery buffs
alike.
Drop in, no registration required.
(La version française suit l’anglais.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Crime Writers of Canada Opens Submissions for Prestigious 2026 Awards of Excellence with $4,750 in Prizes
OTTAWA, ON – October 1, 2025 – Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) is thrilled to announce the official opening of submissions for the highly anticipated 2026 CWC Awards of Excellence. Celebrating the best in Canadian crime, mystery, and suspense writing, the awards offer authors a chance to share in $4,750 worth of prizes and gain significant national recognition and promotion.
The CWC Awards of Excellence continue to recognize and promote the exceptional talent within the country's vibrant and diverse crime writing genre, and CWC is excited to welcome all authors and publishers to submit their work across diverse categories, from novels and short stories to non-fiction and unpublished manuscripts.
The competition welcomes entries from Canadian citizens and permanent residents for works published in 2025.
CWC is delighted to announce a significant new partnership for the 2026 Awards of Excellence. Carrick Publishing is now the proud sponsor of The Best French Language Crime Book, offering a prize of $500 CDN.
This sponsorship marks a first for the category and underscores CWC’s commitment to elevating crime writing in both English and French across Canada, recognizing the rich contribution of Francophone authors to the genre.
The 2026 Awards feature nine categories, recognizing excellence across the crime writing spectrum. All prizes are awarded in Canadian Funds.
Submissions will be accepted starting October 1, 2025. Full rules, eligibility criteria, and submission forms can be found on the Crime Writers of Canada website at www.crimewriterscanada.com.
CWC is grateful for the support of our awards sponsors:
Founded in 1982, Crime Writers of Canada is a professional organization dedicated to raising the profile of Canadian crime writers. Our members include authors, publishers, editors, booksellers, librarians, reviewers, and literary agents, as well as many developing authors. Past winners of the Awards have included such major names in Canadian crime writing as Mario Bolduc, Gail Bowen, Stevie Cameron, Howard Engel, Barbara Fradkin, Louise Penny, Peter Robinson, and Eric Wright. We thank our sponsors and volunteers, and the many participating publishers, authors, and judges for their continued support.
-end-
For more information about the Awards of Excellence, contact: Ludvica Boota at awards@crimewriterscanada.com
To enquire about becoming an Awards of Excellence sponsor, contact: CWC Awards Chair, Dave Wickenden at board-chair@crimewriterscanada.com
POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE
‘Crime Writers of Canada’ lance officiellement la période de soumission pour les prestigieux Prix d’Excellence 2026, avec un total de 4 750 $ en prix à gagner.
OTTAWA (Ontario) – 2025-10-01 – ‘Crime Writers of Canada’ (CWC) est ravi d’annoncer l’ouverture officielle des candidatures pour les Prix d’Excellence 2026, long attendus. Célébrant les meilleurs du roman policier, du mystère et du suspense canadien, ces prix offrent aux auteurs l’occasion de se partager un montant total de 4 750 $ ainsi qu’une promotion et reconnaissance d’envergure nationales.
Les Prix d’Excellence de la CWC continuent de mettre à l’honneur et de promouvoir le talent exceptionnel de la scène littéraire policière canadienne, dynamique et diversifiée. CWC invite chaleureusement tous les auteurs et éditeurs à soumettre leurs œuvres dans de nombreuses catégories, allant du roman à la nouvelle, en passant par le documentaire et le manuscrit inédit.
Le concours accepte les candidatures d’auteurs citoyens canadiens ou résidents permanents pour des ouvrages publiés en 2025.
La CWC est fière d’annoncer un partenariat d’envergure pour l’édition 2026 des Prix d’Excellence. Carrick Publishing devient le nouveau commanditaire du Prix du meilleur livre policier francophone, offrant une bourse de 500 $ CA.
Cette commandite marque une première pour la catégorie et témoigne de l’engagement de la CWC à valoriser le roman policier tant en anglais qu’en français à travers le Canada, tout en soulignant la contribution essentielle des auteurs francophones au genre.
Les Prix 2026 sont répartis en neuf catégories, afin de récompenser l’excellence dans tous les domaines de la littérature policière. Tous les prix sont attribués en dollars canadiens.
Les soumissions seront acceptées à partir du 1er octobre 2025. Le règlement complet, les critères d’admissibilité et les formulaires de soumission sont disponibles sur le site Web de Crime Writers of Canada : www.crimewriterscanada.com.
La date limite finale de soumission pour les œuvres non publiées est le 31 octobre 2025.
La date limite finale de soumission pour les œuvres publiées est le 15 décembre 2025.
Les listes de finalistes seront annoncées le 24 avril 2026.
Les lauréats seront annoncés le 29 mai 2026.
Le CWC tient à remercier ses commanditaires de prix pour leur soutien :
Fondée en 1982, ‘Crime Writers of Canada’ est une organisation professionnelle qui vise à accroître la visibilité des auteurs canadiens de romans policiers. Nos membres comprennent des auteurs, éditeurs, libraires, bibliothécaires, critiques, agents littéraires, ainsi que de nombreux auteurs en développement. Parmi les anciens lauréats des prix figurent des noms majeurs de la littérature policière canadienne tels que Mario Bolduc, Gail Bowen, Stevie Cameron, Howard Engel, Barbara Fradkin, Louise Penny, Peter Robinson et Eric Wright. Nous remercions nos commanditaires, bénévoles et les nombreux éditeurs, auteurs et membres du jury participants pour leur soutien continu.
-fin-
Pour toute information sur les Prix d’Excellence, veuillez contacter : Ludvica Boota à l’adresse awards@crimewriterscanada.com
Pour toute demande concernant le parrainage des Prix d’Excellence, veuillez contacter : le président des prix du CWC, Dave Wickenden à l’adresse board-chair@crimewriterscanada.com
The 2026 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE will be open for submissions on October 1st, 2025. Stay tuned for more information!
Volunteering for the Crime Writers of Canada can be a rewarding experience for members, offering opportunities to give back to the community, develop professionally, and find personal fulfillment.
As a volunteer, you'll be on the front lines, helping to organize events, judge awards, and promote the incredible talent within our country. This is an opportunity to directly contribute to the recognition and celebration of the genre you love, ensuring that Canadian crime writers get the attention and acclaim they deserve.
Crime Writers of Canada volunteers also:
OPEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Want to help identify the next great Canadian crime writer? Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence seeks jurors with:
Our jurors are librarians and booksellers, writers and justice professionals, readers and academics. We welcome applications from Canadian and international readers.
CWC membership is not a requirement.
Interested? Request the Juror Guidelines and Juror Information Form by email below:
Ludvica Boota, Awards Manager at awards@crimewriterscanada.com
or Jayne Barnard, Jury Chair at awardsjudging@crimewriterscanada.com
Awards Committee: Be a part of celebrating literary excellence!
Want to celebrate the best in the genre? The Crime Writers of Canada Awards Committee is seeking new members! We oversee the prestigious Awards of Excellence, meeting monthly (except July & December) to champion outstanding Canadian crime writing.
Join us and help recognize the next generation of talent!
Jury Selection Committee: Ever wondered how the best crime books in Canada are chosen?
The Crime Writers of Canada Jury Selection Committee (JSC) is your chance to get involved!
The JSC comprises CWC members from across Canada who are tasked with recruiting passionate readers and industry professionals who will sit on Jury panels and select the winners of the prestigious Awards of Excellence.
This is a short-term commitment, approximately 1-2 hours per week from early August to early November. If you're passionate about crime fiction and want to contribute to the literary community, we encourage you to apply!
Crime Writers of Canada Mentorship Committee: Invest in the Future of Writing - Volunteer with Us!
Exciting news! We're building a mentorship program to connect experienced writers with emerging talent, and we need YOUR help! Share your wisdom, guide the next generation, and be a part of something amazing. We're seeking 2 passionate volunteers to help develop and launch this program by January 2026. Want to make a real difference? Join us!
Ready to get more involved?
To express your interest in volunteering for any of the above positions, please contact Executive Director Ludvica Boota at ed@crimewriterscanada.com.
Your contribution will help us continue to build a strong and vibrant community for Canadian crime writers!
Meet The Board is an interview series that highlights the fantastic individuals who make up The Board of Directors for Crime Writers of Canada.
This month, we meet BC/Yukon Rep, Joanna Vander Vlugt.
Joanna Vander Vlugt is an author and illustrator. She has been writing since a child, and she's a graduate of Simon Fraser University's Writer's Studio. Her motorcycle illustrations have been purchased world-wide and her Woman Empowered motorcycle art series has been featured in on-line art and motorcycle magazines. Under the pseudonym J.C. Szasz, Joanna’s short mysteries Egyptian Queen, and The Parrot and Wild Mushroom Stuffing were both published in Crime Writers of Canada mystery anthologies. Her essay, No Beatles Reunion was published in the Dropped Threads 3: Beyond the Small Circle anthology.
The Unravelling, her debut novel, and Dealer’s Child were Canadian Book Club Awards finalists, and now Spy Girls has received Chick Lit Book Cafe's International Book of Excellence Award for best spy thriller and suspense. Joanna draws upon her 13 years’ experience working in the prosecutor’s office and 10 years working in the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner for inspiration for her novels. Joanna is proud of her podcast SAM Magazine and the many authors she has interviewed and short stories she has showcased
10 Questions for Joanna
1. Who is your favourite Canadian author (live or dead, doesn’t have to be mystery)?
L.R. Wright was my favorite Canadian author.
2. What is your favourite book?
My favourite book is Lessons in Chemistry. I bought the book after listening to the audiobook while creating art.
3. What is your favourite movie?
It’s an animation, K-Pop Demon Hunters. I learned about the movie after listening to The Q podcast in which the creator, Maggie Kang, who was raised in Toronto, talked about how she didn’t want to portray the typical superhero.
4. What inspires you to write?
It’s not so much inspiration, but if I go three days and I haven’t written something, my world is off kilter. Nothing can beat that feeling when, with a single word, I get a hint of an idea, and I know something is there, I just need to think about it and give it time.
5. Has a real person ever inspired a character in your stories?
Yes, my daughter, who’s an ER nurse. In each book, if I don’t have a nurse as a main character, then I’ll have minor characters administering first aid, or from the medical profession.
6. Has a real person ever inspired you to kill them (in your book)?
Yes. Because of my experience working in the prosecutor’s office, I cannot write novels involving innocent victims. I’ve seen too much of the reality of those situations. In Spy Girls, I was so disgusted with individuals in power getting away with human trafficking, that I had it as a plot line. Usually, my murder victims are individuals of ill repute.
7. Are you proud of the first novel/story that you wrote? And, did you let other people read it?
Yes, I am proud of it, and I did publish it. I originally wrote The Unravelling in the early 2000s. I had a period of ten years when I wasn’t writing. Ten years later I re-read The Unravelling with the thought, if there was something salvageable, I’d rewrite it. I couldn’t remember who was the murderer. I was a different person and writer ten years later.
8. Other than writing, what is your passion?
Art. I wrote and created charcoal portraits as a child. My medium now is Copic art markers. I’m now working with another author and creating the art for a graphic novel. I’ve also illustrated over thirty motorcycles, some commissions, some for myself.
9. On average, how long do you write in a day?
I write approximately three to six hours a day, depending on where I am in the novel I’m working on, and if I’m meeting a deadline.
10. Do you have any unfinished manuscripts in your drawer/computer?
I have a time travel. It took me four years to finally write it, and I had developmental edits done. Now, I need to get back to it. What’s difficult is how close the story mirrors the current situation in the US, and I believe that’s why I’m hesitant to jump back in.
Social Media handles:
Instagram: Joannavandervlugt_author_art
Newsletter: https://joannavandervlugt.substack.com/
Website: www.joannavandervlugt.com
Readings and signings by Ardelle Holden, Tony Ollivier, Merrilee Robson, WInona Kent and special guest Iona Whishaw. Also appearing CWC's 2025 BC/YT Rep Joanna Vander Vlugt.
Produced by Bob Harris and VPL Programming & Learning.
A Crime Writers of Canada panel discussion:
Moderator Jass Aujla (author of Next Of Twin and Regional Director for Crime Writers of Canada) is joined by writers C. Fitton (Her Dead Boyfriend), Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson (The Road to Heaven), Steve Urszenyi (Perfect Shot), and Angela Van Breemen (Past Life’s Revenge) to discuss the unexpected challenges and delights of the first year after publication.
This session will be tailored to foster a discussion that informs, inspires and prepares aspiring authors for the realities of the post publication world.
Drop in, no registration required.
Thursday, July 10th
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Toronto Reference Library
Beeton Hall
Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) is pleased to announce the results of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 19, 2025, during which a new Board of Directors was elected.
The CWC extends its sincere gratitude to all retiring directors, Ann Lambert (QC), Jane Burfield (ON: Southwest, North, & GTA Region) and Barbara Hawryluk (MB / Nunavut) for their dedicated service and invaluable contributions to the organization. A special thank you goes to our outgoing Chair, Winona Kent, for her exceptional leadership and commitment. Her hard work has been instrumental in our success, and we wish her all the best.
We are thrilled to welcome our new leadership team. Please join us in congratulating our new Chair, Del Chatterson and our new Vice-Chair, Dave Wickenden. We are confident that their vision and expertise will guide the CWC to new heights.
We also welcome back our returning directors and extend a warm welcome to our new directors. We look forward to working with this talented and dedicated group as we continue to champion Canadian crime writing.
RETURNING
Atlantic
Prov – Veronica
Purcell
ON-SW/N/GTA –
Jass Aujla
ON-SW/N/GTA -
Lorne Tepperman
ON-C/E/Ottawa –
John Hill
Vice Chair and
Director at
Large: Dave
Wickenden
(Northern
Ontario)
Director At
Large – Craig
Copland (BC)
Chair Director
At Large – Del
Chatterson (QC)
NEW
BC/YT
– Joanna Vander
Vlugt
SK - Betty
Ternier Daniels
AB/NWT - Andrew
Barbero
Quebec -
Francisca
Bullock
Director At
Large – Tammy
Smith (BC/YT)
The Crime Writers of Canada would also like to express its profound appreciation to our members for their ongoing support and engagement. Your commitment is vital to the success of our organization and the programs we provide.
We are also incredibly grateful to the contractors and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our organization operational and running smoothly. Your dedication is truly appreciated.
Please note: The CWC office will be closed for the month of July. For any technical support needs, contact Stephen Butters at techsupport@crimewriterscanada.com
We are excited about the year ahead and the opportunities it holds for Canadian crime writers.