Whitney Awards

The Whitney Awards are awards given annually for novels by LDS authors. Established in 2007, they are named after Orson F. Whitney, a prominent early member of the LDS Church. There are several categories for which novels may be nominated. The Whitney Awards are a semi-independent non-profit organization affiliated with the LDStorymakers, a guild for LDS authors.^[1]

Categories

Due to the limited number of titles released by LDS authors, several of the genre awards have been combined (such as romance and women's fiction).^[2]

There are currently eight genre categories:^[3]

Adult Romance Mystery/Suspense Speculative Historical General

Youth Youth General Youth Speculative Middle Grade

There are also two special awards:

• Best Novel by a New Author
• Novel of the Year

While the Whitney Committee has said that they hope to expand the number of genres in the future, they likely won't venture into other areas of LDS art, such as music, poetry, or non-fiction books.

Process

To be eligible, a novel must be written by an LDS author during the award year, and be at least 50,000 words long. Any reader can nominate a book. Once a book has received five or more nominations, it becomes an official nominee. The official nominees are presented to the Whitney Awards Committee which checks for eligibility and acts as a preliminary judging panel, reducing the number of nominees to no more than five per category.

Finally, ballots are sent to the Whitney Awards Academy, an invitation-only group consisting of authors, bookstore owners/managers, distributors, critics, and other industry professionals. By a popular vote, they decide on the winners.^[4] The awards are presented at a dinner held at the conclusion of the annual LDStorymakers conference and writing "boot camp."^[5]

Until the 2010 awards (presented 2011), books were not allowed to win in more than one category.

Name

The awards are named after Orson F. Whitney, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as a poet and writer. In 1888, Elder Whitney delivered a speech entitled "Home Literature" in which he stated:

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 earth.^[6]

The phrase "We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own" has been adopted as the slogan of the Whitney Awards, and is printed on the trophy.

Winners and finalists 2007 - present

2007 (presented March 22, 2008)^[7][8]

Best Novel of the Year	Best Y/A Children's
Winner: On the Road to Heaven, by Coke Newell — Zarahemla Books Other finalists Dragonskin Slippers, by Jessica Day George — Bloomsbury Out of Jerusalem: Land of Inheritance, by H.B. Moore — Covenant Communications The Operative, by Willard Boyd Gardner — Covenant Communications Upon the Mountains, by Gale Sears — Covenant Communications	Winner: Fablehaven 2: Rise of the Evening Star, by Brandon Mull — Shadow Mountain Other finalists Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, by Brandon Sanderson — Scholastic Bullies in the Headlights, by Matthew Buckley (Marion Jensen)— Covenant Communications How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend, by Janette Rallison — Putnam First Day, by Allyson Condie — Deseret Book
Best Novel by a New Author	Best Speculative
Winner: Dragonskin Slippers, by Jessica Day George — Bloomsbury Other finalists Wet Desert, by Gary Hansen — Holeshot Press Counting Stars, by Michele Paige Holmes — Covenant Communications Beyond the Horizon, by Judy C. Olsen — Covenant Communications On the Road to Heaven, by Coke Newell — Zarahemla Books	Winner: Book of a Thousand Days, by Shannon Hale — Bloomsbury Other finalists Dragon Slippers, by Jessica Day George — Bloomsbury Hunting Gideon, by Jessica Draper — Zarahemla Books The Lights of Mahonri Moriancumer, by Phyllis Gunderson — Cedar Fort, Inc. The Well of Ascension, by Brandon Sanderson — Tor
Best Romance/Women's Fiction	Best Historical
Winner: Counting Stars, by Michele Paige Holmes — Covenant Communications Other finalists Desire of our Hearts, by Sariah S. Wilson — Covenant Communications Eclipse, by Stephenie Meyer — Little, Brown The Independence Club, by Rachel Ann Nunes — Deseret Book Loyalty's Web, by Joyce DiPastena — iUniverse	Winner: Out of Jerusalem: Land of Inheritance, by H.B. Moore — Covenant Communications Other finalists Beyond the Horizon, by Judy C. Olsen — Covenant Communications On the Road to Heaven, by Coke Newell — Zarahemla Books Spires of Stone, by Annette Lyon — Covenant Communications Upon the Mountains, by Gale Sears — Covenant Communications
Best Mystery/Suspense	Lifetime Achievement
Winner: Sheep's Clothing, by Josi S. Kilpack — Deseret Book Other finalists The Deep End, by Traci Hunter Abramson — Covenant Communications Grave Secrets, by Marlene Austin — Covenant Communications The Operative, by Willard Boyd Gardner — Covenant Communications Hazardous Duty, by Betsy Brannon Green — Covenant Communications	Jennie Hansen Dean Hughes Anita Stansfield

2008 (presented April, 2009)^{[9][10][11][12]}

Best Novel of the Year	Best Youth Fiction
Winner: Traitor, by Sandra Grey Other finalists Bound on Earth, by Angela Hallstrom Fool Me Twice, by Stephanie Black The Hero of Ages, by Brandon Sanderson Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, by Jessica Day George	Winner: The 13th Reality, by James Dashner Other finalists Alcatraz vs. The Scrivner's Bones, by Brandon Sanderson Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague, by Brandon Mull Farworld: Water Keep, by Jeffrey Scott Savage Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, by Jessica Day George
Best Novel by a New Author	Best Speculative Fiction
Winner: Bound on Earth, by Angela Hallstrom Other finalists The Reckoning, by Tanya Parker Mills Spare Change, by Aubrey Mace Traitor, by Sandra Grey Waiting For the Light to Change, by Annette Hawes	Winner: The Hero of Ages, by Brandon Sanderson Other finalists Ender in Exile, by Orson Scott Card The Great and Terrible: From the End of Heaven, by Chris Stewart The Host, by Stephenie Meyer The Wyrmling Horde: The Seventh Book of the Runelords, by David Farland
Best Romance	Best Historical
Winner: Spare Change, by Aubrey Mace Other finalists Seeking Persephone, by Sarah Eden Servant to a King, by Sariah Wilson The Sound of Rain, by Anita Stansfield Taking Chances, by Shannon Guymon	Winner: Abinadi, by H. B. Moore Other finalists Isabelle Webb, Legend of the Jewel, by N. C. Allen Master, by Toni Sorenson The Ruby, by Jennie Hansen Traitor, by Sandra Grey
Best Mystery/Suspense	Best General Fiction
Winner: Fool Me Twice, by Stephanie Black Other finalists Above and Beyond, by Betsy Brannon Green Do No Harm, by Gregg Luke Freefall, by Traci Hunter Abramson Royal Target, by Traci Hunter Abramson	Winner: Waiting For the Light to Change, by Annette Hawes Other finalists Bound on Earth, by Angela Hallstrom The Reckoning, by Tanya Parker Mills Fields of Home, by Rachel Ann Nunes Keeping Keller, by Tracy Winegar
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Kerry Blair Orson Scott Card

2009 (presented April, 2010)^[13][14]

Best Novel of the Year	Best Youth Fiction
In the Company of Angels, by David Farland	Winner: The Chosen One, by Carol Lynch Williams Other finalists Princess of the Midnight Ball, by Jessica Day George Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary, by Brandon Mull My Fair Godmother, by Janette Rallison Bright Blue Miracle, by Becca Wilhite
Best Novel by a New Author (tie)	Best Speculative Fiction
Gravity vs. The Girl, by Riley Noehren I Am Not a Serial Killer, by Dan Wells	Winner: Servant of a Dark God, by John Brown Other finalists The Maze Runner, by James Dashner Wings, by Aprilynne Pike Warbreaker, by Brandon Sanderson I Am Not a Serial Killer, by Dan Wells
Best Romance	Best Historical
Winner: Counting the Cost, by Liz Adair Other finalists Illuminations of the Heart, by Joyce DiPastena All The Stars in Heaven, by Michele Paige Holmes Santa Maybe, by Aubrey Mace Previously Engaged, by Elodia Strain	Winner: The Last Waltz, by G.G. Vandagriff Other finalists Tribunal, by Sandra Grey The Undaunted, by Gerald Lund Alma, by H.B. Moore In the Company of Angels, by David Farland
Best Mystery/Suspense	Best General Fiction
Winner: Methods of Madness, by Stephanie Black Other finalists Lockdown, by Traci Hunter Abramson Murder by the Book, by Betsy Brannon Green Lemon Tart, by Josi S. Kilpack Altered State, by Gregg Luke	Winner: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford Other finalists No Going Back, by Jonathan Langford Gravity vs. The Girl, by Riley Noehren The Route, by Gale Sears Eyes Like Mine, by Julie Wright
Lifetime Achievement Award	Outstanding Achievement Award
Gerald Lund	Dave Wolverton

2010 (presented May 7, 2011)^[15][16][17]

Best Novel of the Year (tie)	Best Youth Fiction – General
The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson Mr. Monster, by Dan Wells	Winner: The Healing Spell, by Kimberley Griffiths Little Other finalists Glimpse, by Carol Lynch Williams Missing In Action, by Dean Hughes My Double Life, by Janette Rallison Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me, by Kristen Chandler
Best Novel by a New Author	Best Youth Fiction – Speculative
Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White	Winner: Matched, by Ally Condie Other finalists Fablehaven 5, by Brandon Mull Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White The Forbidden Sea, by Sheila Nielson The Fourth Nephite, by Jeffrey Scott Savage
Best Romance	Best Speculative Fiction
Winner: Cross My Heart, by Julie Wright Other finalists Courting Miss Lancaster, by Sarah M. Eden The Legend of Shannonderry, by Carol Warburton Luck of the Draw, by Rachael Renee Anderson Meg's Melody, by Kaylee Baldwin	Winner: The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson Other finalists Imprints, by Rachel Ann Nunes Mr. Monster, by Dan Wells Pathfinder, by Orson Scott Card The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner
Best Mystery/Suspense	Best Historical
Winner: Cold As Ice, by Stephanie Black Other finalists Crossfire, by Traci Hunter Abramson Murder by Design, by Betsy Brannon Green A Time to Die, by Jeffrey Scott Savage Wrong Number, by Rachelle J. Christensen	Winner: Trespass, by Sandra Grey Other finalists Alma The Younger, by H.B. Moore Oh Say Can You See?, by L.C. Lewis The Sheen on the Silk, by Anne Perry The Silence of God, by Gale Sears
Best General Fiction
Winner: Band of Sisters, by Annette Lyon Other finalists Blink of an Eye, by Gregg Luke The Cross Gardener, by Jason F. Wright Finding Mercie, by Blaine Yorgason Lucky Change, by Susan Law Corpany

2011 (presented May 5, 2012)^[18][19][20]

Best Novel of the Year	Best Novel by a New Author
I Don't Want to Kill You, by Dan Wells	With a Name Like Love, by Tess Hilmo
Outstanding Achievement Award	Lifetime Achievement Award
Jack Weyland	Doug Thayer
Best Romance	Best Speculative Fiction
Winner: Borrowed Light, by Carla Kelly Other finalists Count Down to Love, by Julie N. Ford Captive Heart, by Michele Paige Holmes The List, by Melanie Jacobson Not My Type, by Melanie Jacobson	Winner: The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel, by Brandon Sanderson Other finalists The Lost Gate, by Orson Scott Card No Angel, by Theresa Sneed I Don't Want to Kill You, by Dan Wells A Night of Blacker Darkness, by Dan Wells
Best Mystery/Suspense	Best Historical
Winner: Rearview Mirror, by Stephanie Black Other finalists Smokescreen, by Traci Hunter Abramson If I Should Die, by Jennie Hansen Bloodborne, by Gregg Luke Acceptable Loss, by Anne Perry**	Winner: Letters in the Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears Other finalists Daughter of Helaman, by Misty Moncur Fires of Jerusalem, by Marilyn Brown Isabelle Webb: The Pharaoh's Daughter, by N.C. Allen Miss Delacourt Has Her Day, by Heidi Ashworth
Best Youth Fiction – General	Best General Fiction
Winner: With a Name like Love, by Tess Hilmo Other finalists Girls Don't Fly, by Kristen Chandler Pride & Popularity, by Jenni James Sean Griswold's Head, by Lindsey Leavitt Miles from Ordinary, by Carol Lynch Williams	Winner: Before I Say Goodbye, by Rachel Ann Nunes Other finalists The Walk: Miles to Go, by Richard Paul Evans Evolution of Thomas Hall, by Kieth Merrill Gifted, by Karey White The Wedding Letters, by Jason F. Wright
Best Youth Fiction – Speculative
Winner: Variant, by Robison Wells Other finalists Tuesdays at the Castle, by Jessica Day George Slayers, by C.J. Hill My Unfair Godmother, by Janette Rallison Shifting, by Bethany Wiggins

2012 (presented May 11, 2013)^[21][22][23]

General	Young Adult – Speculative
Winner:The Rent Collector by Camron Wright Other finalists Dancing on Broken Glass by Ka Hancock Ka Hancock by Annette Lyon The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F. Wright A Night on Moon Hill by Tanya Parker Mills	Winner: Everneath by Brodi Ashton Other finalists Destined by Aprilynne Pike Demons by Heather Frost Endlessly by Kiersten White Feedback by Robison Wells
Historical	Young Adult – General
Winner: My Loving Vigil Keeping by Carla Kelly Other finalists Espionage by A. L. Sowards Within the Dark Hills by Sian Ann Bessey Spinster’s Folly by Marsha Ward The Five Books of Jesus by James Goldberg	Winner: After Hello by Lisa Mangum Other finalists Finding June by Shannen Crane Camp The Space Between Us by Jessica Martinez The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson V is for Virgin by Kelly Oram
Romance	Middle Grade
Winner: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson Other finalists Lady Outlaw by Stacy Henrie Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen Smart Move by Melanie Jacobson Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson	Winner: The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen Other finalists Case File 13: Zombie Kid by Jeffrey Scott Savage Epic Tales of a Misfit Hero by Matt Peterson Freakling by Lana Krumwiede Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale
Best Mystery/Suspense	Best Novel by New Author
Winner: Code Word by Traci Hunter Abramson Other finalists Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack Deadly Undertakings by Gregg Luke Line of Fire by Rachel Ann Nunes Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack	Winner: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson Other finalists Dancing on Broken Glass by Ka Hancock The Five Books of Jesus by James Goldberg Lady Outlaw by Stacy Henrie Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson Everneath by Brodi Ashton Espionage by A.L. Sowards Freakling by Lana Krumwiede The Epic Tales of a Misfit Hero by Matt Peterson Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen
Speculative	Best Novel of the Year
Winner: The Hollow City by Dan Wells Other finalists City of the Saints by D. J. Butler Flight From Blithmore by Jacob Gowans Earthbound by Theresa Sneed The Penitent by C. David Belt	The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
Best Novel in Youth Fiction
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

2013

General	Young Adult – General
Winner: Mile 21 by Sarah Dunster Other finalists Love Letters of the Angels of Death by Jennifer Quist Road to Bountiful by Donald Smurthwaite Ruby’s Secret by Heather B. Moore The House at Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor	Winner: All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry Other finalists Chasing June by Shannen Crane Camp Dead Girls Don’t Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
Historical	Middle Grade
Winner: Esther the Queen by Heather B. Moore Other finalists Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears Safe Passage by Carla Kelly The Mounds Anomaly by Phyllis Gunderson Where the River Once Flowed by Jennie Hansen	Winner: The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen Other finalists Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor’s Secret by Chad Morris RUMP: The True Story of Rumplestilskin by Liesel Shurtliff Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George
Romance	Best Novel by New Author
Winner: Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson Other finalists Hearth Fires by Dorothy Keddington Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden Second Chances by Melanie Jacobson The Orchard by Krista Lynne Jensen	Winner: Pivot Point by Kasie West Other finalists The House at Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor I, Spy by Jordan McCollum Insomnia by J. R. Johansson Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor’s Secret by Chad Morris RUMP: The True Story of Rumplestilskin by Liesel Shurtliff Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman
Mystery/Suspense	Best Novel of the Year
Winner: Deep Cover by Traci Hunter Abramson Other finalists Rocky Road by Josi S. Kilpack I, Spy by Jordan McCollum Finding Sheba by Heather B. Moore Spy for a Spy by Jordan McCollum	Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
Speculative	Best Novel in Youth Fiction
Winner: Dark Memories by Jeffrey Scott Savage Other finalists Echo in Time by C. J. Hill Heart of the Ocean by Heather B. Moore The Witnesses by Stephanie Black Winter Queen by Amber Argyle	Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Young Adult – Speculative	Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson Other finalists Friends and Traitors: Slayers 2 by C. J. Hill Insomnia by J. R. Johansson Pivot Point by Kasie West Blackout by Robison Wells	Rachel Ann Nunes
Lifetime Achievement
Blaine Yorgason

2014

General	Young Adult – General
Winner: The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon Other finalists A Plentiful Rain by Elizabeth Petty Bentley My Name is Bryan by Stacy Lynn Carrol Still Time by Maria Hoagland Walking on Water by Richard Paul Evans	Winner: Death Coming up the Hill by Christopher E. Crowe Other finalists Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little Kiss Kill Vanish by Jessica Martinez Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan On the Fence by Kasie West
Historical	Middle Grade
Winner: Softly Falling by Carla Kelly Other finalists An Ocean atween Us by Angela Morrison Deadly Alliance by A.L. Sowards Eve: In the Beginning by H. B. Moore Gone for a Soldier by Marsha Ward	Winner: Almost Super by Marion Jensen Other finalists Sky Jumpers: The Forbidden Flats by Peggy Eddleman The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen The Time of the Fireflies by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Romance	Best Novel by New Author
Winner: Longing for Home: Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden Other finalists Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore Lady Emma’s Campaign by Jennifer Moore Painting Kisses by Melanie Jacobson Spy by Night by Jordan McCollum	Winner: Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore Other finalists Nameless: The Darkness Comes by Mercedes M. Yardley Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan Remake by Ilima Todd The Accidental Apprentice by Anika Arrington
Mystery/Suspense	Best Novel of the Year
Winner: Wedding Cake by Josi S. Kilpack Other finalists Blood on the Water by Anne Perry Death on Blackheath by Anne Perry Drop Zone by Traci Hunter Abramson Tomorrow We Spy by Jordan McCollum	Longing for Home: Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden
Speculative	Best Novel in Youth Fiction
Winner: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson Other finalists Nameless: The Darkness Comes by Mercedes M. Yardley Pretty Little Dead Girls by Mercedes M. Yardley The Accidental Apprentice by Anika Arrington This Darkness Light by Michaelbrent Collings	The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry
Young Adult – Speculative	Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White Other finalists Cured by Bethany Wiggins Dangerous by Shannon Hale Remake by Ilima Todd The Glass Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg	Andrew Hall
Lifetime Achievement
Margaret Blair Young

2015^[24]

General	Historical
Winner: The Other Side of Quiet by Tara C. Allred Other finalists The McCarran Collection by Liz Adair Wreckage by Emily Bleeker The Healer by Gregg Luke Shattered Hearts by Stacy Lynn Carroll	Winner: The Rules in Rome by A.L. Sowards Other Finalists Light of the Candle by Carol Pratt Bradley A Hope Remembered by Stacy Henrie Doing No Harm by Carla Kelly The Moses Chronicles: Bondage by H.B. Moore
Mystery/Suspense	Romance
Winner: Failsafe by Traci Hunter Abramson Other Finalists Played for a Fool by Stephanie Black Lie Catchers by Paul Bishop Lost King by H.B. Moore The Angel Court Affair by Anne Perry	Winner: Lord Fenton’s Folly by Josi S. Kilpack Other Finalists Always Will by Melanie Jacobson Eleanor and the Iron King by Julie Daines Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore Kisses in the Rain by Krista Lynne Jensen
Speculative	Middle Grade
Winner: The Devil’s Only Friend by Dan Wells Other Finalists Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson Summer Queen by Amber Argyle Caretaker by Josi Russell Truth of Embers by Caitlyn McFarland	Winner: A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen Other Finalists Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen Far World: Fire Keep by J. Scott Savage Mothman’s Curse by Christine Hayes
General Young Adult Fiction	Speculative Young Adult Fiction
Winner: Calvin by Martine Leavitt Other Finalists Never Said by Carol Lynch Williams The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West Has to Be Love by Jolene Perry Ink and Ashes by Valynne E. Maetani	Winner: Firefight by Brandon Sanderson Other Finalists Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee Airships of Camelot by Robison Wells A Thousand Faces by Janci Patterson
Best Novel by a New Author
Winner: Ink and Ashes by Valynne E. Maetani Finalists Light of the Candle by Carol Pratt Bradley This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee Wreckage by Emily Bleeker Caretaker by Josi Russell Mothman’s Curse by Christine Hayes
Outstanding Achievement Award	Lifetime Achievement Award
Tracy HIckman and Laura Hickman	Marsha Ward

Committee

The Whitney Awards Committee acts as both the organizers and the preliminary judges of the Whitney Awards. Rules stipulate that the committee be made up of at least four members of LDStorymakers. Their positions are temporary, by invitation of the Whitney Awards Committee president (who is appointed by the LDStorymakers executive committee).

The 2011 committee included:

• Josi S. Kilpack (President)
• Annette Lyon
• Heather Moore
• Jana Parkin
• Sarah M. Eden
• Luisa Perkins

The 2009 committee included:^[1]

• Robison Wells, President
• Julie Coulter Bellon
• Danyelle Ferguson
• John Ferguson
• Crystal Leichty
• Sheila Staley
• Jaime Theler

The 2015 committee were:

• Jaime Theler, President
• Kaylee Baldwin
• Marion Jensen
• Nancy Campbell Allen
• Heather Justesen
• Deborah Talmadge-Bickmore
• Kimberly Vanderhorst

Although Kerry Blair had been a member of the Whitney Awards Committee for two years, the other members of the committee "went behind her back" to name her the winner of a Lifetime Achievement Award for 2008.^[12]

Criticism

One Mormon literature critic initially raised concerns with the heavy involvement of authors published by Covenant Communications in the awards process.^[25] However, when the finalists for 2007 were announced, this same commenter noted both that there was a wide spectrum of publishers represented, and that "Covenant publishes the lion’s share of Mormon market fiction."^[8] This same critic later described the awards as "at best a reductive form of validation and criticism. Although let’s be honest: The Whitneys have way more credibility than the Grammys."^[26]

After the 2011 nominations, criticism of the nomination process was common, though appreciation of the Whitney Awards themselves was also common.^{[27][28][29][30]}

See also

• AML Awards
• LDS fiction

Notes

1. "About the Whitney Awards". whitneyawards.com. Whitney Awards. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
2. Robison Wells (19 June 2007). "Whitney Awards Q&A". Six LDS Writers and A Frog. Blogspot. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
3. http://whitneyawards.com/program-overview/
4. "Official Rules". whitneyawards.com. Whitney Awards. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
5. De Groote, Michael (25 April 2009). "LDS writers attend a novel boot camp". MormonTimes.com. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
6. Whitney, Orson F. (July 1888). "Home Literature". The Contributor (Transcription). Retrieved 2014-09-18 – via Mormon Literature, Association for Mormon Letters.
7. "Whitney Awards honor LDS fiction writers". MormonTimes.com. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
8. William Morris (19 January 2008). "The Whitney Awards — publishers tally". A Motley Vision. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
9. Card, Orson Scott (27 April 2009). "Orson Scott Card's Whitney Award speech". MormonTimes.com. Retrieved 30 July 2009. I feel deeply the honor of being given an award named for Orson F. Whitney ... I have long and proudly borne Elder Whitney's first name; now you have given me an award that bears his last name, too.
10. De Groote, Michael (23 April 2009). "Best LDS novel of '08? Whitney Awards to weigh in". MormonTimes.com. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
11. De Groote, Michael (26 April 2009). "Best LDS fiction named at Whitney Awards". MormonTimes.com. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
12. De Groote, Michael (30 April 2009). "'08 Whitney Awards honor best LDS fiction". Deseret News. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
13. "Whitney Award finalists announced". MormonTimes. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
14. "Whitney Awards Honor Wolverton, Lund". MormonTimes. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
15. "Finalists Have Been Announced!". whitneyawards.com. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
16. "2010 Winners". whitneyawards.com. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
17. "Whitney Awards honor best in Mormon fiction". MormonTimes. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
18. Finalists announcement on Whitney Awards website, accessed March 29, 2012
19. Announcement of winners on Whitney Awards website, accessed May 6, 2012
20. "Achievement Award Winners on Whitney Awards website, accessed May 9, 2012
21. 2012 Finalists announcement on Whitney Awards website, accessed January 14, 2013
22. Announcement of 2012 winners on Whitney Awards website, accessed January 14, 2013
23. "Achievement Award Winners on Whitney Awards website, accessed January 14, 2013
24. http://whitneyawards.com/2015-finalists/
25. William Morris (8 August 2007). "Diversity or dilution? The Whitneys and BYU Studies Review". A Motley Vision. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
26. William Morris (9 February 2009). "Whitney Awards 2008 Finalists announced (yep, that's what I thought)". A Motley Vision. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
27. Jessie Christensen (2 May 2012). "Mormon Authors writing Non-Mormon Inspirational Fiction (and accompanying comments)". Dawning of a Brighter Day, the Association for Mormon Letters blog. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
28. Jonathan Langford (16 April 2012). "Whitney Youth Speculative Fiction Finalists 2011 (and accompanying comments)". A Motley Vision. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
29. Jonathan Langford (8 March 2012). "Whitney General Fiction Finalists 2011". A Motley Vision. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
30. Jonathan Langford (30 March 2012). "Whitney Youth Fiction General Finalists 2011". A Motley Vision. Retrieved 6 May 2012.

References

• Bigelow, Christopher (28 March 2008). "News from the Mormon Literary World". Mormon Matters. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
• Hansen, Jennie (28 March 2008). "First Annual Whitney Awards Highlights Books, Authors". Meridian Magazine. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
• "Whitney Awards Honor Authors with Various Backgrounds, Styles". Meridian Magazine. 13 April 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
• "Whitney Awards Committee Announces Awards for Authors". Meridian Magazine. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2009.

External links

• Official website of the Whitney Awards
• LDStorymakers.com, organizing body for the Whitney Awards
• "Book awards: Whitney Award Nominee". LibraryThing. Retrieved 30 July 2009.