Iconic, prolific, beloved: praise consistently used to describe Walter Mosley, award-winning author, film and television writer, and contemporary social commentator, lauded for his work across the arts. With more than 60 books to his credit, Walter defies classification through contributions to mystery, crime, science fiction, young adult, nonfiction, graphic novels, and even erotica. Best known for his engaging detective novels, he has earned every mystery writer award possible.

Walter's acclaim took off with his now classic thriller Devil in a Blue Dress with Easy Rawlins as the lead, first as a best-selling novel and later as the movie starring Denzel Washington. Along with mystery series protagonists Joe King Oliver, a New York City cop turned private investigator, and Leonid McGill, a 1990s New York private detective, Walter's characters are filled with both virtues and flaws, doing more throughout their stories than just solving mysteries

As important as his written work, Walter enjoys live appearances, reaching out to audiences offering sharp observations and profound understanding related to race and social justice. Growing up in Los Angeles with Black and Jewish roots, his authenticity speaking on the current state of America with singular insight set him apart from his contemporaries.

Walter's work can be found on bookshelves and in magazines and newspapers, as well as on TV, stage, film, and recordings. With executive producer and writer credits on the series “Snowfall,” “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey,” “Justified: City Primeval” and “Lowdown,” his fandom extends across race and generation. His short stories and op-ed essays have appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the New Yorker. Versatile in every way, Walter achieved Grammy winner status for his album notes penned for the Richard Pryor compilation box set in 2001.

Walter's honors include the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Edgar Award, the Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger, the New York State Writers Hall of Fame, and lifetime achievement awards from both PEN America and the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. The NAACP has honored Walter a record three times with the Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Fiction.

Walter connects with groups through his passion across a broad array of topics in current events, as well as storytelling and instructive writing. Forthright about race, diversity, and equality, he established The Publishing Certificate Program at City University of New York to expand writing courses, internships, and job opportunities for all communities.