Mystery writers of America

Mystery Writers of America, Inc., the leading association for professional crime writers in the United States, was established in 1945 for the "purpose of promoting and protecting the interest and welfare of mystery writers and to increase the esteem and literary recognition given to the genre." Early organizers and members included: Howard Haycraft, Erle Stanley Gardner, Dorothy B. Hughes, Anthony Boucher, Rex Stout, Stuart Palmer, the Q. Patrick team, Fred Dannay and Manfred Lee (Ellery Queen), Helen Reilly, Octavus Roy Cohen, Leo Zagat, Roger Torrey, Kurt Steele, and the Lockridges. Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has preserved the historical memory of the American mystery, procuring and storing in its library important documents and markers of the passing years and the changes within the profession. Each spring, the MWA sponsors the Edgar Awards Dinner and Symposium, named in honor of Edgar Allan Poe who is considered to be the "Father of the Detective Story." The award is widely acknowledged to be the most prestigious award in the genre.

From the description of Papers, 1946-2002. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 760193880

From the guide to the Mystery Writers of America mss., 1946-2002, (Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington))

Mystery Writers of America, Inc. (MWA) was founded in 1945; MWA promotes and protects the interests and welfare of mystery writers and strives to increase the esteem and literary recognition of the genre; each year the MWA bestows the Edgar Allan Poe Awards for achievement in various categories.

From the description of Records, 1947-1964. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 41520039