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.
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).
, there are eight genre categories:
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
The Whitney Committee states that it is unlikely that other areas of LDS art—such as music, poetry, or non-fiction books—will be added to the categories.
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. The awards are presented at a dinner held at the conclusion of the annual LDStorymakers conference and writing "boot camp."
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.
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) Best Novel of the Year Best Y/A Children'sWinner: On the Road to Heaven, by Coke Newell — Zarahemla Books Other finalists Dragon 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 CommunicationsWinner: 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 Ally Condie — Deseret Book Best Novel by a New Author Best SpeculativeWinner: Dragon 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 BooksWinner: 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 HistoricalWinner: 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 — iUniverseWinner: 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 AchievementWinner: 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) Best Novel of the Year Best Youth FictionWinner: 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 GeorgeWinner: 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 FictionWinner: 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 HawesWinner: 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 HistoricalWinner: 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 GuymonWinner: 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 FictionWinner: 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 AbramsonWinner: Waiting For the Light to Change, by Annette Haws 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) Best Novel of the Year Best Youth FictionIn the Company of Angels, by David FarlandWinner: 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 FictionGravity vs. The Girl, by Riley Noehren I Am Not a Serial Killer, by Dan WellsWinner: 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 HistoricalWinner: 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 StrainWinner: 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 FictionWinner: 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 LukeWinner: 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) Best Novel of the Year (tie) Best Youth Fiction – GeneralThe Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson Mr. Monster, by Dan WellsWinner: 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 – SpeculativeParanormalcy, by Kiersten WhiteWinner: 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 FictionWinner: 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 BaldwinWinner: 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 HistoricalWinner: 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. ChristensenWinner: 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 FictionWinner: 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)Finalists announcement on Whitney Awards website, accessed March 29, 2012Announcement of winners on Whitney Awards website, accessed May 6, 2012"Achievement Award Winners on Whitney Awards website, accessed May 9, 2012 Best Novel of the Year Best Novel by a New AuthorI Don't Want to Kill You, by Dan WellsWith a Name Like Love, by Tess Hilmo Outstanding Achievement Award Lifetime Achievement AwardJack WeylandDoug Thayer Best Romance Best Speculative FictionWinner: 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 JacobsonWinner: 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 HistoricalWinner: 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 SearsOther 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 |- ! style="background:#EEDD82; width:50%" | Best Youth Fiction – General