I had a unique opportunity this last Saturday night. As I’ve examined book awards over the last few months, I blogged about a new award being offered for LDS fiction, called “The Whitney.” Saturday was the first ever Whitney award dinner, where the winners of the 2007 Whitneys were announced. I’ve never been to a book award celebration before, and it was something else – almost like having a live seat at the Oscars or Emmys, only on a smaller scale, and for books.
There were prizes offered for the following genres, and I also list the winners here:
Best Novel of the Year: Coke Newell for “On the Road to Heaven”
Best Novel by a New Author: Jessica Day George for “Dragon Slippers”
Best Romance/Women’s Fiction: Michele Paige Holmes for “Counting Stars”
Best Mystery/Suspense: Josi Kilpack for “Sheep’s_Clothing”
Best Young Adult/Children’s: Brandon Mull for “Rise of the Evening Star”
Best Speculative: Shannon Hale for “Book of a Thousand Days”
Best Historical: H. B. Moore for “Land of Inheritance”
It was so cool to sit in the audience and wait for the winners to be announced. The feeling of anticipation in the air was palpable, and I enjoyed hearing the acceptance speeches. Everyone was so visibly touched by their wins.
A book award does a lot for an author’s career. Everyone knows they are an award-winning author, and book sales increase dramatically. Future and past books are also purchased more. Editors and publishers are more interested in that author. It’s validation of all the hard work that goes into the craft. Besides, they have a pretty trophy to place on their mantle (always a cool thing.)
I may never get to go to the awards dinner for the Edgar or the Pulitzer (read that: never) but attending the Whitneys was definitely the next best thing. I look forward to next year and anticipate great things from the LDS market as the authors all strive to win this award. I know I certainly wouldn’t mind having one . . .