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A comic saga of a creative writing professor and his letters of recommendation has won the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

Schumacher talks about her book, humor, recommendations and writing

Author Julie Schumacher, a professor at the University of Minnesota, received $5,000 and a crystal plaque for winning with "Dear Committee Members." She was honored Monday at the New York comedy club Carolines on Broadway.

The two runners-up were Roz Chast for her memoir "Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?" and Annabelle Gurwitch for "I See You Made an Effort: Compliments, Indignities, and Survival Stories from the Edge."

Julie Schumacher and the unsinkable power of words

No woman had won the Thurber award until this year. The award was established in 1996 and is named for the late humorist and cartoonist James Thurber.

Previous winners include Jon Stewart, David Sedaris and Calvin Trillin.

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"Dear Committee Members" is a comic saga of a creative writing professor and his letters of recommendation. It is the first time a woman has won the prize. Schumacher is a professor at the University of Minnesota.

Thurber Prize winner Julie Schumacher talks with MPR News host Tom Crann about the award

'Dear Committee Members' by Julie Schumacher

Julie Schumacher wins Thurber Prize for American Humor

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