The Nominations Are Open

The Nominations for the Whitney awards are now open.

The Whitney awards were created to recognize quality work and to help readers become more aware of the fine literature being published by LDS authors. They were named after Orson Whitney.

There are seven different categories: general fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, speculative (sci-fi/fantasy), young adult general and young adult speculative fiction. A book must get five nominations to be considered.

Last year, was my first introduction to the Whitneys. I read all five nominees in two different categories. It was delightful. I enjoyed branching out to new authors and new genres. This year, I hope to start earlier and read more categories.

If you’re looking for something to read that is clean and well-written, take a look at some of last year’s finalists, or previous years. I’ll bet you’ll like them. Last year's winners are listed here.

Anyone can nominate a book for the Whitneys. All books nominated go through a complex screening process to select the five finalists in each category. Members of LDS storymakers are eligible to vote along with a panel of experts who are invited to participate. We can only vote in categories where we have read all five finalists.

If you have read a book you’d like to nominate, it must have been published in 2011 and must have been written by an LDS author. Only full length fiction is eligible. To find out more click here. To nominate a book, click here.

Happy reading!

Linda Garner

Tristi Pinkston, Where Have You Been Hiding?

I have been mostly dead for more than 5 days. Yuck! Yesterday (day six) a kindly doctor told me it was nothing but a nasty virus and that I would probably pull through. (probably?) There are only two good things about being mostly dead. 1. Lots of sleep. 2. I get to READ.

On day two of being mostly dead, I woke from my around the clock slumber and decided that a good book was just what I needed. I grabbed a couple of books, a pile of pillows, a whole lot of vitamin C and a year’s supply of tissues. I dove headfirst into Tristi Pinkston’s historical novel, Nothing to Regret.

Before LDS Storymakers Convention, I had never hear of Tristi Pinkston, Granite Publishing, or any of her titles. I didn’t know what to expect. I had been watching Tristi, though, and she was so delightful that I wanted to get to know her better. What better way than reading one of her books. I selected one, bought it and asked her to sign it for me. I was on my way.

When I cornered Tristi, she was on her way to dress for the Whitney Awards, so there wasn’t much chit chat. Still she was warm and friendly and the note above her signature was intriguing. "The Power of the atonement is real," she wrote. That gave me something to think about.

Reading Nothing to Regret was a rare treat. Tristi spins an amazing tale that reads like truth. Her characters were real and her story was compelling. Nothing to Regret is a story that begins with the Japanese interment in the U.S. following the bombing of Pearl Harbor and ends with the healing of a family, the healing of lives and hearts. It is a story of war, of prejudice, of pain, heartbreak, and growth. It is a story of change, of forgiveness, of love. It is indeed a powerful story about the love and healing available through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Tristi, may I add my witness to yours? The power of the atonement is indeed real.

I have just two questions for Tristi. 1. Are your other books this good? (Very unfair question.) 2. Where have you been hiding?

Linda Garner

P.S.
Some Secrets Hurt goes to press today! Share my joy!

Did I survive Storymakers? I Sure Did.

Last Friday & Saturday, Linda, L.T. and I spent two informative packed days in Provo, Utah attending LDStorymakers. What an experience! They had great authors, fantastic panels, and lots of water. There was a long line in the women’s bathroom.

First I want to give my thanks for everyone who made this event such a great success, the authors, the organizers, everyone. What a great conference!

For those of you who did not attend or who have never attended before, let me give you a run down of what we did.

Friday at 7:30 the three of us got to the conference and picked our tables for bootcamp. Bootcamp is where you meet with a small group of writers and a published author to critique each writers’ work. I went to the teen chic lit/ YA table with Crystal Liechty. She is so awesome! And cute. I was at the table with Cindy, Charlene, Maury, and Emily. Everyone at our table was excellent and I enjoyed everything I read. Good job guys!

After bootcamp we had breakout sessions. Everything from Annette Lyon’s Grammar and Usage to Jeff Savage’s Creating and Maintaining a Character Bible (which I am totally starting! I hate all those crazy loose ends). So many more I wish I could list.

There were panels to choose from (agent/editor panels, mystery panels, to romance panels), book signings, and even a keynote speaker, Dean Lorey, who was an extremely nice guy.

I had a pitch session with Lisa Mangum, who is not scary at all (all those weeks of preparing to meet with a fear-provoking editor, all in vain * I shake my fist and sigh with relief *). She even has her own book coming out this month. I’ve heard buzz about this book! It sounds fabulous (check out Tristi Pinkston's review). I will tell you one thing, I’m totally going to her book signing.

I meet so many incredible writers and authors, plus bloggers. It was just amazing. Josi Kilpack, James Dashner, Stephanie Black. You guys rock! Ashley, Melanie J., Nicole Giles, Kim, Weston Elliot. If I left you out, I'm so, so sorry, but I still love ya! There were just so many excellent writers and authors. It was wonderful!

I also have to give a shout out to Heidi Ashworth, the author of Miss Delacourt Speaks her Mind. She took time out of her busy get-away to meet with some of us. I have been very impressed with how kind she is on her blog (and funny), but after meeting her in person, I like her even more.

Well, there you have it. A superb weekend, a superb group, and superb gelato. What more can a girl ask for? Maybe a tube of fudge. I’m so there.

Gotta Write!

Last Friday I entered a delightful world. It was a world of authors and editors and lovers of books. It was a world of fantasy, magic, and wonder, as well as a world of reality, substance, and authenticity. It was a timeless world, where word is king, and imagination can take you anywhere. United by our love of storytelling we gathered from everywhere to a special place of sharing.

This was my first adventure into the magical land called LDS Storymakers Convention. I found this place warm and delightful. I met supportive friendly people with stunning ideas and amazing talent. I attended fascinating presentations taught by people who were brilliant and interesting.

I brought home a brand new bag of tools, which is bulging with new things; new ideas, new knowledge, new skills, and new friends. If you were a presenter, I thank you for sharing your time and talents. If you were an organizer, I thank you for the hours of preparation, for the attention to detail, and for that special touch of fun which was liberally sprinkled throughout the conference. If you were a participant, thank you for bringing your unique contribution and creating an unforgettable experience for me.

Writers are an interesting bunch. We are diverse on many levels, yet we have much in common. We have something to say and we need to say it. We gotta write. We don’t just love to write; we gotta write. Deep inside we have a craving that is only satisfied when we write. For me it not really about money, or even about being published. It is about having a voice. It is about making a difference. Sometimes I wonder if I chose writing, or if it chose me.

Thanks to my incredible critique group who are always there for me. I adore them and I appreciate their love and support, and their valuable advice. It was great fun to share the Storymakers experience with them.

Gotta go! Gotta write.

Linda Garner