The Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is a professional organization of mystery and crime writers, based in New York City.
The organization was founded in 1945 by
Clayton Rawson,
Anthony Boucher,
Lawrence Treat, and
Brett Halliday.
It presents the **Edgar Award**, a small bust of Edgar Allan Poe, to mystery or crime writers every year. It presents the **Raven Award** to non-writers who contribute to the mystery genre. The category of Best Juvenile Mystery is also part of the Edgar Award, with such notable recipients as
Barbara Brooks Wallace having won the honor twice for ***The Twin in the Tavern*** in 1994 and ***Sparrows in the Scullery*** in 1998, and
Tony Abbott for his novel ***The Postcard*** in 2009.
John Dickson Carr, who also served as president of the MWA, won a Grand Master Award in 1949 and 1962.
