Edgar Allen Poe Awards

The Mystery Writers of America gives out the "Edgars" each year. It honors the best in mystery writing in each given year since 1946.

In 1963, Hillary Waugh outlined the awards criteria for the Edgars. They are:

. The Edgar is for the best-written work in a field of mystery.
. The Raven is for the best work in a field of the mystery NOT involving writing.
. The Grand Master's Award goes to an author who has made a significant contribution to the mystery over many years.

The Robert L. Fish Memorial Award was founded in 1984. It recognizes promising new writers. They select the best first mystery short story by a U.S. author who is previously unpublished. They award a plaque and a cash award.

The Mary Higgins Clark Award is given to the book that most closely resembles the Mary Higgins Clark tradition. Mary Higgins Clark herself set the guidelines: a very nice young woman who solves the problem by her courage and intelligence, she has an interesting job, she's independent, the violence takes place off-screen, and no explicit sex or four-letter words.

Categories

Best Novel
Best First Novel
Best Paperback Original
Best Critical/Biographical
Best Fact Crime
Best Short Story
Best Young Adult
Best Juvenile
Best Television Episode Teleplay
Best Motion Picture Screenplay
Robert L. Fish Memorial Award
Grand Master
Raven
Mary Higgins Clark Award

Judgiing Process

A publisher (or sometimes an author or agent) submits a copy of the work to each member of the Edgar judging committees. The committees review the submissions and release a list of nominations. They then determine the winner, which is announced at the Edgar Awards banquet.