Mystery Writers of America to Honor Kate's Mystery Books & the Library of Congress, Center for the Book at 2008 Edgar(R) Awards

NEW YORK, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two beacons of the literary community sharing one passion for the crime-writing genre will be honored by Mystery Writers of America (MWA) with the Raven Award for 2008. Kate's Mystery Books and The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will each be presented with Raven Awards at the 2008 Edgar(R) Banquet. Established in 1953, the award is bestowed by MWA's Board of Directors for outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing.

Kate Mattes of Kate's Mystery Books is being honored with the Raven due to her tireless efforts in advancing the genre of mystery fiction. Ever since opening Kate's Mystery Books in North Cambridge, Massachusetts on Friday the thirteenth in 1983, Mattes has been spreading her enthusiasm for the crime-writing genre. Mattes, a founding member of the National Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association, and her bookstore have been honored with numerous awards including Entertainment Weekly's Hot Spot in 1991 and The Women's National Association of Booksellers' "A Woman Who Made a Difference" award in 1987. Mattes previously hosted the monthly meetings of the MWA New England chapter for over ten years. She was also the first to promote nearly every crime writer in the Boston area by hand-selling their books to devoted customers and fans.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is receiving the Raven Award in recognition of the constant support and dedication the Center has imparted to MWA and to literacy education as a whole. Established in 1977 under the direction of Dr. John Y. Cole, the Center for the Book works closely with more than 80 prominent civic and educational organizations to promote books, reading, libraries, and literacy. "MWA:Reads" is one of the many programs the Center for the Book champions through its Reading Promotion Partners Program, which includes prominent national and international non-profit organizations. Since 2001 the Center for the Book has played a major role in organizing the National Book Festival in Washington, DC, an event which attracts more than 120,000 visitors and features many MWA authors as frequent guest speakers. As one of the Library of Congress's most dynamic and visible educational outreach programs, The Center for the Book -- through its Books and Beyond Program -- also jointly sponsors lectures with MWA.

The presentation of the Raven Awards honors those who have helped to promote the mystery genre by any means, allowing for individuals and associations who typically work "behind the scenes" to be recognized for their achievements. Previous recipients of this award have included bookstores, editors, and librarians, as well as two United States Presidents -- Bill Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Edgar(R) Awards, or "Edgars," as they are more popularly known, are named after Mystery Writers of America's patron saint Edgar Allan Poe and are awarded to authors of distinguished work in various categories. The Edgar(R) Awards Banquet will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, NYC, on Thursday May 1, 2008.

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) 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. MWA is dedicated to promoting a higher regard for crime writing and recognition and respect for those who write within the genre. MWA provides scholarships for writers, sponsors MWA:Reads (its youth literacy program), sponsors symposia and conferences, presents the Edgar Awards, and conducts other activities to further a better appreciation and higher regard for crime writing. With 11 chapters covering the 50 states, membership is open to the public, and you need not reside in the U.S. to join. MWA is a non-profit organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. www.mysterywriters.org

The EDGAR (and logo) are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by the Mystery Writers of America, Inc.