Since 1946, the annual presentation of the Edgar Allan Poe Awards® has been one of the most important and certainly the most publicly visible task undertaken by the Mystery Writers of America. The number of awards given out has grown from one (the very first award, given to Watchful at Night by Julius Fast, was for Best First Novel by an American Author) to twelve, with other awards given out on the same night. Of course, the actual presentation of these awards is the last step in a year-long process, with 68 judges considering over 1,000 books, 500 short stories, many television programs, several movies, and a few plays. It's an incredible amount of work, year in and year out, but without it the Edgar®, the most prestigious award in the mystery business, would be "nevermore."