The Private Eye Writers of America

The Private Eye Writers of America was founded in 1981 by Robert J. Randisi, who also created the Shamus Awards.

Bill Pronzini served as the organization’s first president, with Robert as its first Vice-President. 


The aim of the organization is to support and further the private eye genre. One of our original goals was to elevate the P.I. story from a sub-genre of the mystery to a genre of its own, and we feel we have been successful in that.


A Private Eye is defined as “a private citizen (not a member of the military, federal agency, or civic or state police force) who is paid to investigate crimes. A Private Investigator can be a traditional private eye, a TV or newspaper reporter, an insurance investigator, an employee of an investigative service or agency (think Pinkertons), or similar character.”


Our continued goal is to make sure the genre continues to prosper and grow.