In 2011, Fall for the Book will award the first annual Mary Roberts Rinehart Award to a woman writer of major nonfiction.
The award commemorates the life and work of Mary Roberts Rinehart, who for 45 years prior to her death in 1958 was one of America’s most popular writers. In addition to her writing, Rinehart also was a war correspondent (World War I); a trained nurse; a wife and mother who helped her physician husband manage his practice; and a businesswoman who helped her sons found and operate a national publishing house, Farrar and Rinehart.
The award will be presented annually to a woman writer of nonfiction whose work demonstrates the independent-minded, intellectually advanced, important life and work of Rinehart herself. The award may be given for a single work or lifetime achievement. A foundation established by the Rinehart family will sustain the award each year.
Mary Karr will accept the inaugural Mary Roberts Rinehart Award on Sunday, September 18, at 7:30 p.m., in Harris Theater on George Mason University’s Fairfax, VA campus.
Karr is the author of three memoirs, including The Liars’ Club (1995), the critically acclaimed book about her troubled childhood growing up in the small and gritty industrial town of Groves, Texas. Two other memoirs followed: Cherry (2000) and Lit (2009). She has also written four collections of poetry, including Abacus, The Devil’s Tour, Viper Rum, and Sinners Welcome.