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Whitney Awards - Here is an excerpt from the original press release about this new awards program: PROVO, UT—JUNE 18, 2007
WRITING GROUP ANNOUNCES PRESTIGIOUS NEW LDS FICTION AWARD
“We shall yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own. . . . In God’s name and by His help we will build up a literature whose tops will touch the heaven, though its foundation may now be low on the earth.”
When Latter-day Saint Apostle Orson F. Whitney first spoke these words, the literary canon of his people didn’t contain many works. Fast forward over a hundred years, and literally thousands of novels have been published.
The quality of fiction has significantly increased in recent times. New writers are finding it harder to break into the industry each year. This is hard for aspiring writers, but great for readers.
While LDStorymakers began several years ago to serve only as a support group and opportunity for networking for LDS writers, it has morphed into a powerful force in the LDS market.
Today the Storymakers unveil their newest project, the brainchild of LDStorymaker and novelist Robison Wells: an annual fiction award named after Orson F. Whitney, honoring his vision of having LDS “Miltons and Shakespeares”.
“The Whitney Award will be given annually in conjunction with the LDStorymaker writing conference each March,” explains Wells, the author of three novels published through Covenant Communications. “This is an exciting time to be part of the LDS fiction industry, and we hope the Whitney will become a prestigious and sought-after award.”
Anyone can nominate a novel published during the previous calendar year in any of six categories, and a final academy of industry professionals will vote on the final ballot.
To see a running list of the books published this year you can go to http://ldsfiction2. blogspot. com/. You can rate the books and see what others have rated them. But remember - this does not nominate them for the Whitney Awards. To do that you'll have to go to the Whitney Awards website.
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Lifetime Acheivement Winners - Jennie Hansen, Dean Hughes and Anita Stansfield The 1st Annual Whitney Awards Banquet was held on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at the Cottontree Inn in Sandy, Utah. The Whitney Awards are named after early Mormon apostle, Orson F. Whitney. In 1888 he said: "We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own. God's ammunition is not exhausted. His brightest spirits are held in reserve for the latter times. In God's name and by His help we will build up a literature whose top shall touch heaven, though its foundations may now be low in the earth. Small things are the seeds of great things, and, like the acorn that brings forth the oak, or the snowflake that forms the avalanche, God's kingdom will grown, and on the wings of light and power soar to the summit of its destiny." The winners are as follows: Best Romance/Women's Fiction: Michele Paige Holmes ~ Counting Stars
Best Mystery/Suspense: Josi Kilpack ~ Sheep's Clothing
Best Young Adult/Children's Fiction: Brandon Mull ~ Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
Best Speculative Fiction: Shannon Hale ~ Book of a Thousand Days
Best Historical: H.B. Moore ~ Out of Jerusalem: Land of Inheritance
Best Novel By a New Author: Jessica Day George ~ Dragonslippers
Best Novel of the Year: Coke Newell~ On the Road to Heaven
There were Lifetime Achievement Awards given to: Jennie Hansen, Anita Stansfield and Dean Hughes. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all those who invested so much time in planning and presenting the awards. You can now begin nominating winners for next year by going to the Whitney Awards website.
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