From Mormon Times, Deseret News: "The winners of the first-ever Whitney Awards for LDS fiction were announced last weekend at the conclusion of the LDStorymakers conference in Sandy, Utah.

"Named for Orson F. Whitney, a writer and apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the turn of the century, the awards were created to honor outstanding novels by LDS authors by providing them recognition and cash prizes, according to a news release from the organization."

From Meridian Magazine: "Lifetime Achievement Awards were awarded to Jennie Hansen, Dean Hughes, and Anita Stansfield for their bodies of work and their contributions to bettering LDS fiction. In addition to the long lists of books each has authored, they have all three been pioneers in the industry and have worked toward establishing high standards for LDS fiction, being first in creating trends, critiquing, proving the marketability of LDS fiction, and in encouraging new writers."

From LDS Women's Book Review: "We had a great time at the Whitney Awards Gala on Saturday night! The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as everyone waited to enter the room where the ceremony would take place. We took advantage of the waiting and started our interviews. It was so much fun talking to the authors (and future authors) who were in attendance. Everyone agreed that the Whitney Awards were a wonderful idea and we couldn't wait for the evening to start.

"We spoke to even more authors after the awards ceremony. Everyone was so gracious, not to mention gorgeous. This is an event that will no doubt grow into something wonderful. In fact, I mention how wonderful everything is many, many times in the podcast. Next year, I hope to have added many more adjectives to my vocabulary." Listen to their podcast here.

From Segullah, Angela Hallstrom: "And I’ve got to admit how wonderful it was to hear Coke Newell’s name read for novel of the year. Not only did it make absolutely clear that the Whitney process rewards all sorts of authors (we had winners who write for the national market, winners who write very faithful Deseret Book offerings, and winners like Coke who write earthier fare), but it gave me hope that books from Zarahemla and Parables and other smaller publishers might someday get shelf space in Deseret Book and Seagull stores. For a very interesting discussion on what Coke Newell’s win means for LDS lit, see A Motley Vision’s take on the evening.

"So I could say more, but I’ll end with this. There are lots of talented, passionate, interesting Mormon writers out there, writing both within the LDS market and outside it. And I’m so grateful that a handful of hardworking people decided to dedicate probably thousands of hours–and lots of their own dollars, I’d wager–to provide this forum to celebrate these writers, as well as to introduce them to the rest of us. I know that many readers here at Segullah say they don’t read literature written by Mormon authors. One of the reasons they don’t is because they don’t trust it and they don’t know where to begin. Our book buying dollars are precious, and we don’t want to spend them on just anything, especially if we’re afraid that “anything” might leave us disappointed. But, hopefully, the Whitneys will allow some of us a starting place to find the best of the best that our culture has to offer."

From LDS Writers Blogck, Nichole Giles: "Think about it. This is only the beginning. Whitney awards will likely be given out every year from now until the end of forever. And to me—besides recognition for all the best works of literature by LDS authors—that becomes an opportunity. It is one more goal toward which I can aim. It means a chance to be more than just an author—but an award-winning author known for clean content and excellent descriptive skills. A Milton or Shakespeare of the twenty-first century.

"So thank you, Whitney committee, for all your efforts and inspiration. You’ve reminded us that someday we will all have the chance to be winners, even if we never receive a trophy."

From Michele Paige Holmes: "It was time for the winner to be announced in the romance category. I sighed to myself, feeling a little bummed that Stephanie Meyers wasn't in attendance. I wondered who would be accepting the award for her.

"And then Annette called my name.

"My husband smiled this awesome smile at me, and I realized I had to go up there and say something, and I didn't even know where my shoes were. Somehow I managed to find them under the table and get up to the podium."

From Annette Lyon: "Tears continued to be a large part of the night for me. Josi’s winning speech got me all choked up too, as did several others. While I’m sure part of my weepiness stemmed from a serious lack of sleep for three days, each and every tear that night was a happy one. Some people came up to me concerned that I was sad over not winning a Whitney myself. Truly, I didn’t expect to win, so I wasn’t disappointed when I didn’t. (I just hoped I’d lose to my other good friend, Heather Moore. And I did!)

"But the tears were more than just happiness for good friends. Our table was dead center at the back of the room. As a result, I had a great view of the large crowd that had gathered for the awards. A lot of amazing people were inside those four walls. Some I’d go so far as to call legends.

As the evening wore on, I felt a surging sense of awe and privilege. That night represented the beginning of something very big. And I got to be a small part of it. I even got to be involved a tiny bit in its creation. I was sitting in the middle of a piece of history. The thought was overwhelming. I felt so honored to be in the company of those around me, to bear witness to the birth of something so much bigger than myself, something meaningful, something that I believe Orson F. Whitney himself smiled down upon."

From Julie Wright: "And the Whitneys . . . oh they rocked . . . yes they did, in spite of the fact that Rob wouldn’t let me do anything even though I had a wicked awesome dress."

From Josi Kilpack: "Wow, what an amazing night, even the chicken was good (and I don’t like chicken). It absolutely blew my mind when I actually won the Whitney Award for mystery suspense. I honestly truly did not think I would win against such amazing books—I’ve read them and they are awesome—plus my very best friend Julie Wright was one of two people in the whole world that knew who had won before tonight and she deserves a freaking Oscar for not even hinting it to me (and I did try) she’s told me she was once an actress, apparently that is absolutely true.

"I was a total mess up there so be ready to see my ugly cry pictures circulating around sometime—everyone else was composed and funny, I was the ugly crier and I don’t even care—the moment was that good! I’ll blog more about it next week, after I’ve enjoyed Easter and gotten my brain put back together (it blew up, remember) But I had make sure I thanked all of you that nominated and supported me to this end, as well as the amazing Whitney committee that put so much into this. It really is . . . just incredible (yes, I’m crying again, no pictures please). There were a lot of people I wanted to hug and thank personally after the dinner but I had kids waiting and a hubby that wasn’t feeling good (after three days with the kids who can blame him?)"

From Jeff Savage: "What can I say? How often to you get to do a flannel board presentation to Dean Hughes, Anita Stansfield, Jennie Hansen, Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull, Shannon Hale, Jessica Day George, Rachel Nunes and many, many others?"

From Stephanie Black: "A huge congratulations to all the Whitney winners! And while we’re at it, a huge congratulations to all the Whitney finalists (go, Sariah!). I feel honored to have been part of the first Whitney Committee, led by the fearless and frighteningly brilliant Robison Wells. The committee was filled with super-talented and super-knowledgeable people and frankly, I wasn’t quite worthy of them. They accomplished wonders while I mainly looked dazed and read a bunch of books.

"This year is going to be a big switch for me. Instead of being behind-the-scenes on the committee, I’m going to be chewing my fingernails and wondering if my new book will get anywhere near the Whitney ballot. The competition in suspense fiction is going to be fierce this year. But even if the only person who ever nominates my book is my sister, I’m planning to attend the LDStorymakers’ Conference and Whitney gala next year. Looking at the pictures and hearing the reports from this year’s events makes me want to BE there! So if you’re planning to attend next year, I can’t wait to meet you!"

From A Motley Vision: "And in spite of my initial misgivings (I thought the Whitneys and the AML should consolidate rather than compete), I do think having both award systems is a good thing. I especially like that the Whitneys finalists give a good snapshot of the market for the year. For example, the number of nationally-published books in any given category might be indicative of how strong a year the Mormon market has had in that genre as well as how well Mormon authors are doing on the national scene."

From Chris Bigelow: "Here's more info about the Whitney Awards, which promise to become the premiere award for Mormon writing--giving the grand prize to a small press's offbeat, earthy publication is an intriguing way to start for them, I reckon."

From LDS Publisher: "I was pleased with the outcome of the voting, although I voted differently on a couple of them. However, I do think that the winning books are representative of the best of LDS fiction. Congratulations to all the winners!

"If you haven't already read these winning books, I suggest you do. They're great. In fact, almost all of the finalist books are very well done. I encourage you to try them."

From Kerry Blair: "The best part of the night for me was star-gazing at some of my favorite authors on the planet and reuniting with some of my best friends in the universe! In many cases, these are the same people. (How lucky am I?)"

"What else is there to say? Cinderella didn't have as much fun -- or get as much out of her ball -- as I did the Whitney Gala!"