Yes, the ceremony has been over for a couple of hours and I'm back at home now, my hands still numb from typing so fast, but the evening was so incredible, I couldn't go to sleep without reliving it once again by means of this blog. I realized we failed to make a clarification. We had thought Stephanie Meyer was to be in attendance, but she had to be in Chicago. Hence all the "waiting for Stephenie" which was not then rewarded with appearance of same.
Welcome to the Live Blogging of the 2007 Whitney Awards!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Final thoughts
The 2007 Whitney Awards is officially over. And now for some final thoughts.
Dinner was great. The atmosphere was great. The awards were great. The introductions were... sorta great. Just kidding. Just the corny jokes, but since many of us are going on minimal sleep, they were very funny.
Seriously, though. It's been great being part of this. It's only going to get better and better from here on out. And being part of it at the very beginning is an honor.
Oh, man! I better go stalk... I mean, meet... the authors before they leave. I'm not a groupie. I'm not a groupie.
Final Thoughts
This has been so much fun. I have loved being part of this whole experience - sharing my thoughts with all of you. Remember to nominate books, and be sure to get your tickets early next year!
Congratulations to everybody!
Thats it for me, thanks for joining us on the Whitney blog. Congratulations once again to the winners!
Best novel
Coke Newel gets the award! And he gets a hug from Shannon Hale. He says it's for his daughter.
Coke drove home from Sacramento this morning (13 hours. YIKES!) He says he was an 18 year old hippie convert, whose story is pretty much in the book On the Road to Heaven. Coke admits he doesn't think much like his peers, because he has come from a different place. He is honored for the award.
And nary a corny joke.
Best Novel
Nominees
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Out of Jerusalem, Vol. 4 Land of Inheritance - Heather Moore
On the Road to Heaven - Coke Newell
The Operative - Willard Boyd Gardner
Upon the Mountains - Gale Sears
And the winner is...
Coke Newell!
Book of the Year
I didn't predict this win either -- still, a very deserving book. Way to go, Coke, on winning this amazing award from the Whitney Academy.
Armies of Helaman -- Rock On!
Dean just announced that he's waiting for a mission call to serve a couple's mission with his wife. How cool!
Dean Hughes awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award
He has written over 100 books, and never missed a deadline. He has been writing for 30 years, but just announced that he and his wife are waiting for their mission call. How fun!
Rob gets a standing ovation
Kerry Blair makes sure that Robison Wells gets his recognition for all the work and the bizillion hours he has put into the Whitney awards. Seriously, Rob. This is awesome. Truly awesome.
Lifetime Achievement -- Dean Hughes
Kerry Blair is presenting the award to Dean Hughes - and took a moment to thank Rob for all he's done. She also took public credit for writing the silly jokes, which, are of course, now charming and funny. Everyone gave Rob a well-deserved standing ovation for his hard work and dedication.
Dean Hughes is a legend in our market, and in the national market, as well. His mother read to him regularly as a child, and he credits a school teacher for helping him get on the path he's on now, living out his life-long dream of being a full-time author. He's been publishing since 1979, and his first book was the first novel ever published by Deseret Book. He started this whole market we know enjoy.
We all know how I feel about Dean Hughes -- it's so great to see a room full of people who feel the same way.
Best Novel by a New Author
Nominees
Counting Stars - Michell Holmes
We Desert - Gary Hansen
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Beyond the Horixon - Judy C. Olsen
On the Road to Heaven - Coke Newell
And the winner is...
Jessica Day George!
Best Novel by New Author
I predicted this award as well -- my faith in myself is returning.
After hearing Jessica's great excerpt a moment ago, this award is even more special. Way to go Jessica, and thanks for the fun acceptance speech.
We're wrapping up here....
Winner Best Novel of the Year!!!! Coke Newell
Winner Best Novel by a New Author
Lifetime Achievement Award ~ Dean Hughes
~~~Thanks everyone for tuning in. This was such an amazing event, and I can't wait for the years to come!! I had so much fun and I hope you did too!!~~~
~Hilary Blair
PS Dont forget to nominate your favorite books for next years Whitneys!!
A Word about our Sponsors
The awards couldn't have come to pass without sponsors. LDSNeighborhood.com has been a truly marvelous support. The Whitney committee, other donors, and even now you can still donate to keep the awards going. This is such a worthwhile cause -- loosen those purse strings!
Okay, I have to share the joke
Shannon Hale made the joke that you know you have the spirit when you are happy for others' success, and she knows that the authors (and friends) at her table are going to hell. I think those of you at home should know, because it has been mentioned quite a few times.
Hmmm --
You know, Jaime's right. Jessica does have a rather dragony look to her, in those lovely green sequins. I wonder if she did that on purpose.
Jessica Day George's Excerpt
Jessica Day George is reading part of her book, "Dragon Slippers." She is a hysterical presenter, and her book also contains her charming personality. The book is a fun fantasy novel about a girl who is given to a dragon by her silly aunt.
Heather's Award
Clapping! Another good book takes home a wonderful award. I couldn't be happier for Heather.
Jessica Day George reads her excerpt
Jessica, looking very dragon-esque in a sequiny green dress, is reading her section from Dragon Slippers.
Interestingly enough, it starts with "Call me Ishmael". Only one person laughed, and Jessica told us all to go read something besides LDS fiction.
Excerpt of "The Operative"
Willard Boyd Gardner was not able to be here, so James read the excerpt for him, with all his James-style panache. The book is a Middle East suspense with great dialogue, again, well deserving of the award.
Best Historical
Nominees
Beyond the Horizon - Judy C. Olsen
Out of Jerusalem, Vol. 4 Land of Inheritance - Heather Moore
On the road to Heaven - Coke Newell
Spires of Stone - Annette Lyon
Upon the Mountains - Gale Sears
And the winner is...
Heather Moore!
Shannon Hale is funny too
Shanon is accepting her award. She is a funny person, too.
She didn't realize she was joining a great team. She thought she was just a little nerd-girl writing books by herself, but now she knows she is part of a fantastic team. She is proud to be a part of our team.
"Go team!"
Best Speculative Fiction
Nominees
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
Hunting Gideon - Jessica Draper
The Lights of Mahonri Moriancumer - Phyllis Gunderson
The Well of Ascension (Mistborn Book II) - Brandon Sanderson
And the winner is...
Shannon Hale!
And the winners are....
Winner Best Historical
Winner Best Speculative
(Shannon Hale winner on the very far left.. sorry!)
Jeff and James, Oh My!
I'm not so sure it's a good idea to put Jeff and James on stage at the same time -- Jeff has launched into a flannel board presentation, a la church talk. The authors are represented in their pre-author life, before they have received their blogs.
James interrupts Jeff before he reads a talk from "Especially from Authors."
By far, the best presentation of the night. Well, so far, that is . . .
(after the announcement . . . )
Well, James tried to steal Shannon's check. So not cool, so not cool . . .
Shannon is amazed to see that she really is getting a check. She thought we were kidding. She expresses how wonderful it is that she's part of a community, rather than just being a solitary writer, alone in her room.
Laughs and jokes abound. Some better than others...
Jeff Savage is also waaaay funnier than the corny jokes. He has a flannel board presentation for the Speculative Fiction award. He is giving a tongue-n-cheek introduction. He just assumed when Brother Wells said he had 2 1/2 minutes, it would be like in church. Oh, no. A knock-knock joke. Corny jokes = 3
The nominees have nicknames:
Shannon "What the" Hale
Jessica "Saturday is a special day it's the day we get ready for sunday" Day George
Jessica "Did you know there is a temple in" Draper
Phyllis "Smoking" Gunderson
Brandon "Ooh look at me I'm writing the 12th book in the Wheel of Time" Sanderson
Coke Newell Reads an Excerpt
Coke Newell's book "On the Road to Heaven" was published by Zarahemla Books, the smallest publisher represented here tonight, but good books come from publishers of all kinds.
His book is written in first person, with a good voice. It's the story of an old copy of the Book of Mormon, signed by the prophet George Albert Smith. A young man is trying to convince his parents that he is truly committed to his girlfriend, and is seeking advice from his mother on how he should approach a right and true relationship with this girl. Every time he reads of Jesus, he finds himself wanting to know more about Him.
A well-written segment, again, a clearly deserving book of the Whitney nomination.
On the Road to Heaven excerpt
Coke Newell is reading his excerpt. He didn't know he was supposed to read so he "borrowed" a copy of his book from the sales table. Well, I guess we can trust him.
Anita Stansfield - Lifetime Achievement Award
Rachel Ann Nunes--dressed in a lovely red dress--introduced Anita Stansfield. Anita believes that her gift for writing can make a difference. She has cleared the way for many authors, and we honor her for all she has done. She deserves the award and standing ovation she received.
Lifetime Achievement Award -- Anita Stansfield
Rachel Ann Nunes is reading a great tribute to Anita Stansfield, a true pioneer in the LDS market. Anita has made such tremendous inroads in women's fiction -- the things we accomplish today are largely thanks to her. She has received numerous awards for her writing, including one from her publisher. She has taken the road less taken, in fact, creating the roads.
Rachel is obviously touched as she presents this award to Anita as the crowd rises to its feet, hands growing sore from all the clapping.
YA winner
Brandon Mull wins for his Fablehaven book!
Brandon is way funnier than the joke. He says that even though he was sitting there all nervous, it all ended for the best. Then he called himself an idiot, and enjoys making a living writing about fairies.
Yep. Leaps and bounds funnier than the joke.
Best Young Adult/Children's Lit
Nominees
Alcatrax Versus the Evil Librarian - Brandon Sanderson
Bullies in the Headlights - Matthew Buckley
First Day - Allyson Condie
How to take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend\
Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven Book II) - Brandon Mull
And the winner is...
Brandon Mull!
Best Children and Young Adults
This is the first win I didn't predict. I've been 100% so far. This isn't to say I don't think the award is deserved -- it truly is. I just didn't predict it, that's all.
The acceptance speech is great -- he's glad people are starting to realize that he's not shaming his father by writing about fairies.
About that Joke
You know, if Kerry wrote the joke, it was cute and charming. If Rob wrote it, it's corny and just . . . sad. Why do we think this is? Is it because Kerry is cute and charming? Not to say that Rob is corny and, well, not to say it . . .
(and I've been so good today ...)
Gale Sears reads an excerpt
With words that evoke the feeling of World War I, Gale Sears reads an excerpt from her book, Upon the Mountains. Gale does a good German accent, too. Much better than I could even attempt. Maybe she could supplement her writing career by doing audio books.
I have tremendous respect for Historical Fiction authors. The amount of research that goes into each book... amazing. And then to have to keep track of all your facts as well as juggle all that goes into writing a successful fiction novel. Hats off to you guys!
Gale Sears Reads an Excerpt
Gale Sears is reading an excerpt from her nominated novel, "Upon the Mountains." Gale is taking LDS historical fiction to a new height, adding elements of literary writing into her work. Her style adds a richness to the genre and I was so excited to see her as a nominee.
Her excerpt is full of suspense and action. You will want to get your hands on this book.
Josi gets misty
Josi Kilpack, the "not an emotional person" is shakily accepting her award. (Her husband laughed when she made that announcement.) Way to go, Josi!
Best Mystery/Suspense
Presented by Jessica Day George and Brandon Sanderson
Nominees
The Deep End - Traci Hunter Abramson
Grave Secrets - Marlene Austin
Hazardous Duty - Betsy Brannon Green
The operative - Willard Boyd Gardner
Sheep's Clothing - Josi Kilpack
And the winner is...
Josi Kilpack!
And the corny joke is...
GROAN!!! I was going to write it, but I don't want to inflict it upon more people.
That was a horrible joke to announce the finalists for the Mystery/Suspense category. Wow.
Another Award to Be Announced . . .
I think I'm nearly as excited to hear the magic name as the nominees themselves. Josi Kilpack has done such an amazing job with her book "Sheep's_Clothing," and she well deserves this award.
She is emotional (who wouldn't be) but that doesn't detract from how lovely she looks tonight.
Closer look at the finalists for Book of the Year
Heather Moore is reading an excerpt of her book. By now, I'm sure Quick-fingers Matthew and Lightning keys Tristi will have put in the title of Heather's book, but since I realized I misspelled Jennie Hansen's name in my last post (I hope she will still smile in the picture I'm going to take with her, since I'm so not-a-groupie), I'm just going to wallow in my sheepishness. At least for 30 seconds or so.
Heather admitted that she is trying to get us all hooked by reading the beginning of her book. Then the sold-out award crowd might go buy her book. Nice excerpt, Heather. Maybe after I'm done not-stalking I will head over to the bookstore...
Now from Heather Moore
We're taking a closer look at the finalists for the Best Novel of the Year. We're going to hear an excert from Land of Inheritance by H. B. Moore (Heather) read by Heather herself. It's easy to see why this book was nominated for the award.
Heather's book is a dramatization of the story of Nephi from the Book of Mormon. She has the ability to bring the book to life for the reader. It makes the ancient people live and breathe, and after reading Heather's series, you won't see the Book of Mormon the same way. You will have vivid mental imagery when you read.
Jenny Hansen - Lifetime Achievement Award
Oops. A tiny computer glitch in the introduction of Jenny Hansen. Quick on the uptake, Robison Wells leaped to the rescue. And not even a stumble. With a quick click, the technical difficulty was solved. Way to go, Rob.
First Lifetime Achievement Award
Michele Ashman Bell, lovely as a brunette, gave a nice tribute to Jennie Hansen, the first recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award. We already knew how amazing Jennie is, but she has been involved in politics, winning awards for her work in media, and the list just goes on and on. She's always been someone I've admired, and I'm just getting more and more evidence of my well-placed admiration.
As an LDS novelist, she's one of the most well-known. She's written in many LDS genres, from westerns to suspense to historicals. She reads nearly every LDS novel published, and reviews her favorites on Meridian. She is read by over one million readers. Her opinion is respected by book readers and buyers the world over.
Everyone is on their feet in respect for this incredible woman.
Jennie Hansen - Lifetime Achievement Award
Jennie Hansen is recieving a lifetime achievement award. Jennie was first published at the age of 7, and has never looked back.
I first met Jennie at a book signing at BYU. It was one of my first book signings and I had about 10 copies of my book in front of me. Jennie sat there with about 15 books in front of her. Her copies were stacked on the table, and I felt a bit overwhelemed. But Jennie is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
Congratulations Jennie!
Michelle Holmes is coming up to the podium. I think she's crying. She is wearing a gorgeous red dress.
Yep. She's definitely misty. She is also surprised, admitting that she didn't write a speech because she wasn't even expecting to win. Michelle is expressing her gratitude for her critique group, her husband, and all the others who have helped her write her book.
Michelle is a soft-spoken, sweet lady that it has been my privilege to meet and get to know her a little better. And she writes a pretty darn good book, too. Congratulations, Michelle!
WAHOOOO! Whistle! Scream! Stomp up and down!
(I didn't really scream and stomp up and down. Although if I could do that cool whistle thing, I just might have done it.)