Mystery Writers of America

What Mystery Writers of America does

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association founded in 1945 and headquartered at 1140 Broadway, New York City. It serves approximately 3,000 members across five categories: Active (professionally published/produced crime writers), Associate (allied professionals such as agents, editors, and publishers), Affiliate (unpublished/aspiring writers and fans), Student (ages 18-26 in creative writing programs), and Corresponding (international members). The organization operates eleven regional chapters across the United States, ranging from a single-state Florida chapter to a 13-state Midwest chapter.

MWA's flagship product is the Edgar Allan Poe Awards (the Edgars), the most recognized prize in mystery fiction, nonfiction, and television, now in its 80th year and presented annually at a black-tie banquet in New York City. The awards program includes sub-awards co-branded with major publishers: the Mary Higgins Clark Award with Simon & Schuster and the Sue Grafton Memorial Award with G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Random House). Additional products include MWA Presents anthologies published through Scribner and Harlequin Trade Publishing, The Third Degree newsletter (ten issues annually), MWA University educational webinars (freemium model), a National Mentor Program, a Manuscript Critique Program, and a Contracts & Grievances Committee for member legal guidance. MWA also maintains an Approved Publisher List of 230+ vetted publishers whose titles qualify authors for Active Status and Edgar consideration.

The organization is funded primarily through annual membership dues ($115 Full, $58 Senior/Student), anthology royalty income, Edgar Awards Banquet ticket sales and sponsorships, and ancillary fees from non-member webinar access. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the mysterywriters.org website, with event-driven retention through the Edgar Awards and regional chapter programming. MWA maintains a lean staff of 1-10 employees and operates without venture capital, private equity, or public market exposure.

Name

Mystery Writers of America

Legal name

Mystery Writers of America

Website

https://mysterywriters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mystery Writers of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1945 that serves approximately 3,000 mystery and crime writers, allied publishing professionals, and aspiring writers through membership, the prestigious Edgar Allan Poe Awards, anthologies, and educational programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Literary Professional Association

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910), Book Publishers (513130), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Publishing & Submission Prep Workshops (Query Letters, Agents, Journals) (EDAMAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fiction Writing Workshops (Short Story, Novel) (EDAMAMAA), Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG)

Keywords

• Professional writing association
• Mystery fiction membership
• Literary awards program
• Crime writing community
• Author professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from Full ($115), Senior ($58 for members 70+), and Student ($58 for members 18-26 in creative writing programs) members. Membership year runs July 1 through June 30.
2. Anthology Sales: Revenue from MWA anthologies including 'How to Write a Mystery', 'Crime Hits Home', 'When a Stranger Comes to Town', 'Super Puzzletastic Mysteries', 'Deadly Anniversaries', 'Life is Short and Then You Die', and classic reissues. These are sold through publishers and retail channels.
3. MWA University Webinars: Free access to webinars and content for members; non-members pay a fee, generating ancillary revenue.
4. Edgar Awards Events: Revenue from the annual Edgar Awards Banquet (black-tie 'Dress to Kill' event) and Edgar Week Symposium, including ticket sales and sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is a 501(c)(3) professional membership organization that sells tiered annual memberships (Full $115, Senior $58, Student $58) to mystery and crime writers, allied professionals, aspiring writers, and genre enthusiasts. Its flagship offering is the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, the premier annual awards program for mystery fiction, nonfiction, and television, accompanied by a black-tie Edgar Awards Banquet and Edgar Week Symposium in New York City. MWA also publishes MWA Presents anthologies through major trade publishers, runs the MWA University webinar series, distributes The Third Degree newsletter to members, and operates eleven regional chapters with local meetings and newsletters.

Product overview

Mystery Writers of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving approximately 3,000 members including authors of fiction and non-fiction books, screen and television writers, publishers, editors, and literary agents. The organization operates a membership-based structure with five categories (Active, Associate, Affiliate, Student, Corresponding) and eleven regional chapters. The core offering centers on the Edgar Allan Poe Awards (Edgars), the premier awards program for mystery fiction, nonfiction, and television. Additional services include MWA Presents anthologies (annual and classic reissues), The Third Degree newsletter (10 issues annually), MWA University educational webinars, regional chapter networks, a mentor program, manuscript critique services, and the Contracts & Grievances Committee for member support. The organization also maintains an Approved Publisher List of over 230 vetted publishers whose works qualify for Edgar consideration and Active Status membership. Special awards include the Mary Higgins Clark Award, Sue Grafton Memorial Award, Lilian Jackson Braun Award ($2,000 prize), Robert L. Fish Memorial Award, Raven Award, and Ellery Queen Award.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Edgar Awards: The Edgar Allan Poe Awards, commonly known as the Edgars, are presented annually to authors of distinguished work in various mystery categories. Named after MWA's patron saint Edgar Allan Poe.
• MWA Presents
• MWA University
• The Third Degree

Products and services

• MWA Membership Tiered annual professional membership with five categories — Active ($115/year, published/professional writers), Associate (allied professionals such as agents, editors, librarians), Affiliate ($115/year, unpublished/aspiring writers and fans), Student ($58/year, ages 18-26 in creative writing programs), and Corresponding (international members) — providing access to regional chapter meetings, email lists, MWA University webinars, The Third Degree newsletter, mentorship, manuscript critique, and Contracts & Grievances Committee support.
• Edgar Allan Poe Awards (Edgars) Annual awards program honoring the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction, and television, including Best Novel, Best First Novel, Best Paperback Original, Best Fact Crime, Best Critical/Biographical, Best Short Story, Best Juvenile, Best Young Adult, and Best TV Episode categories, with submissions open to qualifying works and winners announced at a black-tie banquet in New York City. The 80th Annual Edgar Awards were held on April 29, 2026.
• MWA Presents Anthologies Annual and periodic anthology publications featuring stories by bestselling and new mystery authors edited by guest editors. Includes both new releases under the MWA Presents imprint (titles include 'Crime Hits Home', 'When A Stranger Comes to Town', 'Super Puzzletastic Mysteries', 'Deadly Anniversaries', 'Life Is Short and Then You Die', and 'How to Write a Mystery') and classic reissues under MWA Classics.
• MWA University Educational webinar series offering classes on the craft and business of mystery writing, taught by established MWA member authors. Free for MWA members and paid for non-members.
• Regional Chapters Program Eleven geographic regional chapters that automatically enroll national members, providing local monthly meetings, special programs, chapter newsletters, and educational/networking/social events.
• Approved Publisher List Curated list of over 230 vetted publishers whose business practices and author treatment meet MWA professional standards; works from these publishers qualify for Edgar Award consideration and for Active Status membership eligibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000 members including major crime fiction authors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AuthorBytesminorOthersAuthorBytes provides custom website design, development, and hosting services for authors and writers. MWA members receive discounts on professional WordPress website services through this partnership.
• LIG SolutionsminorOthersLIG Solutions offers health insurance options for self-employed writers. MWA has partnered with LIG Solutions to provide members with access to health coverage as a self-employed writer benefit.
• Murder by the BookminorOthersMurder by the Book is an independent mystery bookstore in Houston, Texas. MWA members receive discounts on all books purchased from this retailer.
• Jane FriedmanminorOthersJane Friedman is an industry expert whose newsletter 'The Bottom Line' provides information on the business of writing and book publishing. MWA offers subscription discounts for members on her newsletter.
• Publishers Weekly, The Writer, Writer's Digest, The StrandminorOthersMWA has negotiated subscription discounts for members on these industry publications.
• Working AdvantageminorOthersWorking Advantage provides entertainment discounts for MWA members including amusement parks, ski resorts, cruises, Broadway plays, and movies.
• Outliers Writing UniversityminorOthersMWA members receive discounts with Outliers Writing University for writing education.
• Editorial and Public Relations ServicesminorOthersVarious editorial services and public relations firms offer discounts to MWA members.
• Scribner (Simon & Schuster)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMWA published 'How to Write a Mystery' through Scribner (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) in April 2021, edited by Lee Child with Laurie R. King. This represents a major publishing partnership for the organization's flagship educational resource.
• Harlequin Trade PublishingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMWA anthologies are published through Harlequin Trade Publishing, including 'Deadly Anniversaries' (2020) and other titles. This is a key publishing partner for MWA's anthology program.
• Simon & SchustercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimon & Schuster presents the Mary Higgins Clark Award through MWA. This award is given annually for books written in the Mary Higgins Clark tradition.
• G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Random House)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerG.P. Putnam's Sons presents the Sue Grafton Memorial Award through MWA. This award recognizes books featuring strong, independent female professional investigators.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Book of the Month Club: Subscription book club and curation platform with genre-specific editorial curation including mystery. Comparable as a subscription/community touchpoint for mystery readers that overlaps with MWA's downstream audience.
• Crime Reads (CrimeReads / LitHub sister site): Online editorial destination covering crime fiction, true crime, and reviews, operating as a community/curation layer for mystery readers and writers. Comparable as a digital genre-community channel that competes for MWA's audience attention.

Broad incumbents

• The Authors Guild: The largest U.S. professional organization for published writers across all genres, offering contract advice, advocacy, and publishing discounts. Broader incumbent whose remit overlaps MWA's professional services but across all genres.
• Poets & Writers: National nonprofit serving creative writers of all genres through literary programming, grants, and a national information network. Comparable nonprofit mission and educational programs but a much broader, less genre-specific remit than MWA.

Direct peers

• Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA): Genre-specific professional writers' association for SF/F authors operating the Nebula Awards, membership tiers, and Nebula Conference. Structurally near-identical to MWA in model (dues + flagship awards + chapters).
• Horror Writers Association (HWA): Nonprofit genre writers' association for horror/dark fiction authors running the Bram Stoker Awards, regional chapters, and mentorship. Comparable dues/awards/nonprofit model and overlapping crime-adjacent membership.
• Sisters in Crime: Membership organization promoting women crime writers; offers chapters, awards, panels, and networking events. Direct competitor for the same crime-writing member base as MWA.
• Romance Writers of America: Largest U.S. genre-specific professional writers' association for romance authors; operates the RITA Awards, regional chapters, and dues-based membership. Highly comparable as a peer 501(c)(3) genre writers' association.
• International Thriller Writers (ITW): Professional association for thriller writers presenting the annual ThrillerFest conference and ITW Awards for best thrillers. Direct overlap with MWA's crime/suspense membership and awards function.

Regional players

• International Association of Crime Writers, North American Branch (IACW/NA): International crime writers' association with a North American branch offering networking and events for crime writers. Highly overlapping membership base, though smaller and more event-driven than MWA's awards-and-anchored model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/edgarawards
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCg704Luzy4EKA85E9vv2toQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/mwanational
• Instagraminstagram.com/mysterywritersofamerica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mystery-writers-of-america

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mystery Writers of America