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:
Hooray, Josi! This is awesome. Congratulations!
And we'll forgive your exclamation point mania - you've certainly earned the right.
Way to go! That is so exciting. Good luck.
Yay, Josi! Well deserved.
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...
CONGRATULATIONS Josi! Exclamation point away!!!! You deserve it.
Way to go!!!!!!!!!! and to quote an award nominated author Whoo freakin ooo or something like that. You are amazing
Yay! So, so well deserved! So happy for you!
That is such great news! I'm glad you made the finalists.
Sheep's Clothing is such an excellent book. Way to go, Josi! Can't wait to hear final results.
Way to go, Josi! Amen to what's been said.
Congratulations! Definitely well-deserved.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! There, I broke the rule too. You deserve it!
Congrats! Wahoo! We're cool!
You rock!
Congratulations! I'm so excited for you!
Congratulations!!!! Yay you!!! That's so great!
I'm so freakin' happy for you, Josi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
hey girl,
way to go! doing the snoopy happy dance for you, kathleen :) xoxo
CONGRATS! That's awesome.
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.
I must be ignorant, because I think your blog title is cute.
I am using my birthday gift card to purchase your book :) !!
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