Tuesday, January 15, 2008

I Made it!!!!!!!!!

Typically, using several exclamation points such as I did in the title of this blog is frowned upon and is a sign of ignorance. I'm never one to defend my ignorance, but I do know that rules are made to be broken and hence this announcement is worthy of such grammatical impudence. Talk about starting the day off with a BANG--today, at 7:00 a.m. the finalists for the first annual Whitney Awards were posted at www.whitneyawards.com and I made the top five in the mystery/suspense category!

Whoo-freaking-hoo!!!

Big HUGE sloppy thanks to all of those readers that nominated Sheep's Clothing, there is no doubt I'd have never made it without readers that liked the book enough to take the time to vote, so thank you, thank you, thank you! It is a huge validation to have my cover among so many great writers. In my category are some absolutely amazing authors that I greatly admire and I'm on cloud nine to be in a group with them even though I've little doubt they will kick my butt into next Tuesday--still, I'm in their club for the moment.

Now, ballots will be sent to the academy, which includes LDS fiction industry professionals such as publishers, bookstore owners, reviewers, and the members of LDStorymakers which is a writer's guild made up of LDS published authors. They will vote for one title among the five finalists and the winners will be announced at The Whitney Award Gala on March 22nd, following the LDStorymakers writers conference (which, BTW, is half full, so if you were planning to register but haven't gotten around to it yet, understand that there is a cap on this years attendance and we're filling up a lot faster than we had planned on. You can register online through www.ldstorymakers.com)

As for the other finalists, here is a list:

Best Novel of the Year

Dragon Slippers
by Jessica Day George

Out of Jerusalem, Vol. 4: Land of Inheritance
by Heather Moore

On the Road to Heaven
by Coke Newell

The Operative
by Willard Boyd Gardner

Upon the Mountains
by Gale Sears

Best Novel by New Author

Dragon Slippers
by Jessica Day George

Wet Desert
by Gary Hansen

Counting Stars
by Michele Holmes

Beyond the Horizon
by Judy C. Olsen

On the Road to Heaven
by Coke Newell

Romance/women’s fiction

Counting Stars
by Michele Holmes

Desire of Our Hearts
by Sariah Wilson

Eclipse
by Stephenie Meyer

The Independence Club
by Rachel Ann Nunes

Loyalty's Web
by Joyce DiPastena


Mystery/Suspense

The Deep End
by Traci Hunter Abramson

Grave Secrets
by Marlene Austen

Hazardous Duty
by Betsy Brannon Green

The Operative
by Willard Boyd Gardner

Sheep's Clothing
by Josi Kilpack

Young Adult/Children's

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians
by Brandon Sanderson

Bullies in the Headlights
by Matthew Buckley

First Day
by Allyson B. Condie

How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend
by Janette Rallison

Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven, Book II)
by Brandon Mull

Speculative Fiction

Book of a Thousand Days
by Shannon Hale

Dragon Slippers
by Jessica Day George

Hunting Gideon
by Jessica Draper

The Lights of Mahonri Moriancumer
by Phyllis Gunderson

The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, Book II)
by Brandon Sanderson

Historical

Beyond the Horizon
by Judy C. Olsen

Out of Jerusalem, Vol. 4: Land of Inheritance
by Heather Moore

On the Road to Heaven
by Coke Newell

Spires of Stone
by Annette Lyon

Upon the Mountains
by Gale Sears

*I'm ashamed to admit I haven't read several of these, but I'm putting them on my list, my goal is to read all of these books by the time of the Gala. Knowing that these were the best of each category gives me confidence that the time won't be wasted.

22 comments:

Don said...

Hooray, Josi! This is awesome. Congratulations!

And we'll forgive your exclamation point mania - you've certainly earned the right.

Stephanie Humphreys said...

Way to go! That is so exciting. Good luck.

Annette Lyon said...

Yay, Josi! Well deserved.

Autumn Ables said...

Oh, my! What an honor and congratulatins to YOU, Josi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be at the Conference/Gala myself and the goal of reading these novels by then is perfect. :) I think I'm with ya on this...I will share your adventure and read these as well! :) Can't wait to meet you in person...

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS Josi! Exclamation point away!!!! You deserve it.

Anonymous said...

Way to go!!!!!!!!!! and to quote an award nominated author Whoo freakin ooo or something like that. You are amazing

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Yay! So, so well deserved! So happy for you!

Karlene said...

That is such great news! I'm glad you made the finalists.

Unknown said...

Sheep's Clothing is such an excellent book. Way to go, Josi! Can't wait to hear final results.

Marsha Ward said...

Way to go, Josi! Amen to what's been said.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Congratulations! Definitely well-deserved.

Jenna said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! There, I broke the rule too. You deserve it!

Janette Rallison said...

Congrats! Wahoo! We're cool!

Rebecca Talley said...

You rock!

Luisa Perkins said...

Congratulations! I'm so excited for you!

Momo Fali said...

Congratulations!!!! Yay you!!! That's so great!

Tamra Norton said...

I'm so freakin' happy for you, Josi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Unknown said...

hey girl,
way to go! doing the snoopy happy dance for you, kathleen :) xoxo

Crystal said...

CONGRATS! That's awesome.

Anonymous said...

Josi, I just finished "Sheep's Clothing" and I am amazed at your talent! You've certainly got my vote! By the way, posted a review if you want to come take a look.

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

I must be ignorant, because I think your blog title is cute.

An Ordinary Mom said...

I am using my birthday gift card to purchase your book :) !!