The New Orleans Chapter of Women’s National Book Association established the Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction in 2012 to honor the memory of Diana Pinckley (1952-2012), a longtime crime fiction columnist for The New Orleans Time-Picayune, and her passion for mystery novels by recognizing women writer working in the crime fiction genre. Pinckley (as she was called by friends), was a founding member of the New Orleans Chapter of Women’s National Book Association, as well as a civic activist, who gave her time and energy to local and national causes.

The Women’s National Book Association, founded in 1917, has a distinguished history of promoting women in the literary world. The Prizes continues that legacy by both awarding a cash prize to a debut author and an established author writing in the crime fiction genre and promoting their work. The first Prizes were awarded in 2014.

By 2018, it was determined that the Prizes should function as an independent organization. The Pinckley Prize Memorial Foundation was established that year and has worked as the administrators of the Prizes, since. Now, with more than a decade of diligence and ten years-worth of winners, the Foundation is looking forward to a future of new collaborations and expanded activities to continue the mission of promoting women authors in the crime fiction genre.