2011 Clifton Fadiman Medal: Daniel Woodrell

The Death of Sweet Mister and its author, Daniel Woodrell, have won the 2011 Clifton Fadiman Medal, which is sponsored by Reba and Dave Williams and the Center for Fiction and goes to "a living American author in recognition of a work of fiction published more than ten years ago that deserves renewed notice and introduction to a new generation of readers."

Each year the Center for Fiction asks a distinguished writer to select the Fadiman award winner. This year's selector was Dennis Lehane, the first mystery writer to serve in this capacity. On May 1, Busted Flush Press is bringing out a new edition of The Death of Sweet Mister with a foreword by Dennis Lehane.

The Center called Woodrell "a master of country noir" and "one of the best-kept secrets in American literature, though he has a large following in Great Britain and Ireland and was long-listed for the Dublin IMPAC Award in 2000 and 2003." He is the author of eight books, including Tomato Red, which won the 1999 PEN Center USA Award for fiction, and Woe to Live On, which was adapted into a movie by Ang Lee.

The award ceremony will take place at the Center for Fiction, 17 E. 47th St. in New York City, on Wednesday, June 8, at 6:30 pm. At the event, Lehane will talk about Woodrell's work and his reasons for selecting The Death of Sweet Mister. Woodrell will speak as well. He receives a $5,000 prize.