Mystery Writers of America

Named after Edgar Allan Poe – the “father of the detective story”

Awards have been given for 62 years (since 1946)

1955 Agatha Christie – 1st Grand Master

Awards in 12 categories given at an annual banquet in April/May

Other awards presented at same time: Robert L. Fish, Mary HiggensClark, and Raven Awards

the Edgar®, the most prestigious award in the mystery business

Best NovelBest First Novel by an American AuthorBest Paperback OriginalBest Critical/BiographicalBest Fact CrimeBest Short StoryBest Young AdultBest JuvenileBest PlayBest Television Episode TeleplayBest Motion Picture ScreenplayGrand Master

Members are professional crime writers in the United States. Members of MWA include most major writers of crime fiction and non-fiction, as well as screenwriters, dramatists, editors, publishers, and other professionals in the field.

MWA is dedicated to promoting higher regard for crime writing and recognition and respect for those who write within the genre. We provide scholarships for writers, sponsor MWA : Reads (our youth literacy program, formerly known as Kids Love A Mystery), sponsor symposia and conferences, present the Edgar® Awards, and conduct other activities to further a better appreciation and higher regard for crime writing.

National Board selects the General Awards Chair. The General Awards Chair selects a committee chair for

each category. The committee chairs select four others for their

committee. Care is taken so that each committee has a balanced

representation of gender, genre, and geography Each book submitted to a committee is read by all

members of that committee and they select a personal top 10

They meet in January and decide the top 5 (nominees) which

includes the winner Nominees announced in February Winners announced at annual banquet April/May

Bibliography

Wallace, M. (2005). Edgar Awards for Mystery – Selection ProcessRetrieved June 19, 2008, from http://www.mysterynet.com/edgars/process/

Mystery Writers of America (2008). The Edgar ® Awards. Retrieved June 19, 2008, From http://www.mysterywriters.org/?q=AwardsPrograms