Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has announced that the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is one of two recipients of its 2008 Raven Award, which honors outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing. The other recipient is Kate’s Mystery Books of Cambridge, Mass. The award, given annually since 1953, was presented on May 1 at the 2008 Edgar Awards Banquet in New York City.
The Center for the Book receives the Raven Award in recognition of its constant support of and dedication to literacy education as a whole, including its encouragement of “MWA Reads,” the Mystery Writers of America’s youth literacy project. The award also commends the center, “one of the Library of Congress’s most dynamic and visible educational outreach programs,” for the crucial role it has played in the National Book Festival since its origin in 2001.
Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime-writing field, aspiring crime writers and those who are devoted to the genre. With 11 chapters covering all 50 states, the organization provides scholarships for writers and conducts other activities that promote the appreciation of crime writing.
For further information on the Raven Award, visit www.mysterywriters.org.
