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Current and Past Award Winners

15th Annual Awards

The Orson F. Whitney Outstanding Achievement Award and Lifetime Achievement Award honor exceptional bodies of work and/or contributions to the writing community by authors who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We are thrilled to announce that this year's Achievement Award winners are BRANDON SANDERSON and DARIUS GRAY.

Outstanding Achievement Award:
Brandon Sanderson

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Brandon is the author of epic fantasies such as the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive. He is also the author of young adult novels like the Alcatraz and Reckoners series.

His accomplishments as a writer include the Hugo Award, the David Gemmell Legend Award, regular listings on the New York Times Best-Seller List, and publications in thirty-five languages.

Beyond his achievements, Brandon consistently and generously gives his time and energy to help developing authors as a teacher at BYU, through his YouTube series, at conferences, and as a host on the popular podcast Writing Excuses.

We are elated to recognize his significant achievements and contributions.

Lifetime
Achievement Award:
Darius Gray

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Darius is a speaker, essayist, and former journalist. His work often addresses the intersection of Black experience and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He is the co-author of the Standing on the Promises historical trilogy and co-producer/director of the documentary Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons. He also co-directed the Freedman’s Bank Records project for the Church’s Family History Department and is one of the founding members of the Genesis Group.

His awards include a special citation by the Mormon History Association and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the Utah NAACP.

We are honored to acknowledge his unique and important contributions to the cannon of literature written by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Whitney Award Winners

Adult General / Historical

Elliott, Joani – The Audacity of Sara Grayson

Adult
Speculative

Sanderson, Brandon – Rhythm of War

Mystery and / or Suspense

Peterson, Kathi Oram – Treacherous Legacy

Romance

Jacobson, Melanie – So Not My Thing

Historical Romance

Hatch, Esther – A Proper Scoundrel

YA General

Eves, Rosalyn – Beyond the Mapped Stars

YA Speculative

Camp, Shannen – Entanglement

YA Fantasy

Shields, Breanna – The Splendor

Middle Grade

Rivera, Kaela – Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Novel of the Year - Adult

Sanderson, Brandon – Rhythm of War

Novel of the Year - Youth

Eves, Rosalyn – Beyond the Mapped Stars

Novel of the Year - Debut

Elliott, Joani – The Audacity of Sara Grayson

14th Annual Awards

Achievement Awards Expand

Outstanding Achievement Award Winners:

Ann Cannon

 

Martine Leavitt

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • Of Lands High and Low by Martha Keys
  • Romance
    • Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Jensen
  • Historical Romance
    • Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • A Stranger Watches by Kathi Oram Peterson
  • Speculative Fiction
    • The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
  • Fantasy Young Adult Fiction
    • Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Lifelike by Sheila A. Nelson
  • Middle-Grade Fiction
    • What Stars Are Made Of by Sarah Allen

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg
  • Novel of the Year (Youth)
    • What Stars Are Made Of by Sarah Allen
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • 96 Miles by J.L. Esplin

2019

Achievement Awards Expand

(Postponed until the next award year)

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • Muddy by Dean Hughes
  • Romance
    • Finding Jack by Melanie Jacobson
  • Historical Romance
    • What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Mistaken Reality by Traci Hunter Abramson
  • Speculative Fiction
    • First Girl Child by Amy Harmon

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • Lovely War by Julie Berry
  • Fantasy Young Adult Fiction
    • The Bone Charmer by Breeana Shields
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie
  • Middle-Grade Fiction
    • Master of the Phantom Isle by Brandon Mull

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • Sanctuary by Traci Hunter Abramson
  • Novel of the Year (Youth)
    • Lovely War by Julie Berry
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Scars Like Winger by Erin Stewart

2018

Achievement Awards Expand

Lisa Mangum

Elana Johnson

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction:
    • As Wide as the Sky by Jessica Pack
  • Romance
    • Perfect Set by Melanie Jacobson
  • Historical Romance
    • Seeing Miss Heartstone by Nichole Van
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • A Familiar Fear by Kathi Oram Peterson
  • Speculative Fiction
    • Witchy Winter by D.J. Butler

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • Girl at the Grave by Teri Bailey Black
  • Fantasy Young Adult Fiction
    • The Traitor’s Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • First Kisses Suck by Ali Cross
  • Middle-Grade Fiction
    • Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • As Wide as the Sky by Jessica Pack
  • Novel of the Year (Youth)
    • Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Girl at the Grave by Teri Bailey Black

2017

Achievement Awards Expand

Robison Wells

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General Fiction
    • The Fattest Mormon by Tyson Abaroa
  • Historical Fiction
    • Condemn Me Not by Heather B. Moore
  • Romance
    • Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright
  • Historical Romance
    • Love Remains by Sarah M. Eden
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Safe House by Traci Hunter Abramson
  • Speculative Fiction
    • The Fifth Doll by Charlie N. Holmberg

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • Girl at the Grave by Teri Bailey Black
  • Fantasy Young Adult Fiction
    • Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Ones and Zeroes by Dan Wells
  • Middle-Grade Fiction
    • Paper Chains by Elaine Vickers

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • Safe House by Traci Hunter Abramson
  • Novel of the Year (Youth)
    • The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King

2016

Achievement Awards Expand

Marilyn Brown

Liz Adair

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General
    • The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright
  • Historical Fiction
    • From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
  • Romance
    • Love at First Note by Jenny Proctor
  • Historical Romance
    • My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt
  • Speculative Fiction
    • The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Calamity by Brandon Sanderson
  • Middle-Grade Fiction
    • Summerlost by Ally Condie

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
  • Novel of the Year (Young Adult) -
    • Summerlost by Ally Condie
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

2015

Achievement Awards Expand

Outstanding Achievement Award: Tracy & Laura Hickman

Lifetime Achievement Award: Marsha Ward

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General
    • The Other Side of Quiet by Tara C. Allred
  • Historical Fiction
    • The Rules in Rome by A.L. Sowards
  • Romance
    • Lord Fenton's Folly by Josi S. Kilpack
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Failsafe by Traci Hunter Abramson
  • Speculative Fiction
    • The Devil's Only Friend by Dan Wells

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • Calvin by Martine Leavitt
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Firefight by Brandon Sanderson
  • Middle-Grade Fiction
    • A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • Lord Fenton's Folly by Josi S. Kilpack
  • Novel of the Year (Young Adult)
    • A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Ink and Ashes by Valynne E. Maetani

2014

Achievement Awards Expand

Outstanding Achievement Award: Andrew Hall

Lifetime Achievement Award: Margaret Blair Young

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General
    • The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon
  • Historical Fiction
    • Softly Falling by Carla Kelly
  • Romance
    • Longing for Home: Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Wedding Cake by Josi S. Kilpack
  • Speculative Fiction
    • Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • Death Coming up the Hill by Christopher E. Crowe
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
  • Middle-Grade Fiction
    • Almost Super by Marion Jensen

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • Longing for Home: Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden
  • Novel of the Year (Young Adult)
    • The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry 
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore

2013

Achievement Awards Expand
Outstanding Achievement Award: Rachel Ann Nunez
Lifetime Achievement Award: Blaine M. Yorgason
Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • Mile 21 by Sarah Dunster
  • Romance
    • Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
  • Hisorical Romance
    • Esther the Queen by Heather B. Moore
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Deep Cover by Traci Hunter Abramson
  • Speculative Fiction
    • Dark Memories by Jeffrey Scott Savage

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
  • Middle Grade Fiction
    • The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
  • Novel of the Year (Young Adult)
    • Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Pivot Point by Kasie West

2012

Achievement Awards Expand
Outstanding Achievement Award: Carol Lynch Williams
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lael Littke
Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
  • Romance
    • Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
  • Historical Romance
    • My Loving Vigil Keeping by Carla Kelly
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Code Word by Traci Hunter Abramson
  • Speculative Fiction
    • The Hollow City by Dan Wells

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • After Hello by Lisa Mangum
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Everneath by Brodi Ashton
  • Middle Grade Fiction
    • The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
  • Novel of the Year (Young Adult)
    • The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

2011

Achievement Awards Expand
Outstanding Achievement Award: Jack Weyland
Lifetime Achievement Award: Douglas Thayer
Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • Before I Say Goodbye, by Rachel Ann Nunes
  • Romance
    • Borrowed Light, by Carla Kelly
  • Historical Romance
    • Letters in the Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Rearview Mirror, by Stephanie Black
  • Speculative Fiction
    • The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel, by Brandon Sanderson

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • With a Name like Love, by Tess Hilmo
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Variant, by Robison Wells

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year
    • I Don't Want to Kill You, by Dan Wells
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • With a Name Like Love, by Tess Hilmo

2010

Achievement Awards Expand

Outstanding Achievement Award: Rick Walton

Lifetime Achievement Award: Susan Evans McCloud

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • Band of Sisters, by Annette Lyon
  • Romance
    • Cross My Heart, by Julie Wright
  • Historical Romance
    • Trespass, by Sandra Grey
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Cold As Ice, by Stephanie Black
  • Speculative Fiction
    • The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • The Healing Spell, by Kimberley Griffiths Little
  • Speculative Young Adult Fiction
    • Matched, by Ally Condie

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson (tie)
    • Mr. Monster, by Dan Wells (tie)
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White

2009

Achievement Awards Expand

Outstanding Achievement Award: David Wolverton

Lifetime Achievement Award: Gerald Lund

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford
  • Romance
    • Counting the Cost, by Liz Adair
  • Hisorical Romance
    • The Last Waltz, by G.G. Vandagriff
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Methods of Madness, by Stephanie Black
  • Speculative Fiction
    • Servant of a Dark God, by John Brown

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • The Chosen One, by Carol Lynch Williams

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • In the Company of Angels, by David Farland
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Gravity vs. The Girl, by Riley Noehren (tie)
    • I Am Not a Serial Killer, by Dan Wells (tie)

2008

Achievement Awards Expand

Outstanding Achievement Award: Kerry Blair

Lifetime Achievement Award: Orson Scott Card

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • Waiting For the Light to Change, by Annette Hawes
  • Romance
    • Spare Change, by Aubrey Mace
  • Hisorical Romance
    • Abinadi, by H. B. Moore
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Fool Me Twice, by Stephanie Black
  • Speculative Fiction
    • The Hero of Ages, by Brandon Sanderson

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • The 13th Reality, by James Dashner

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year
    • Traitor, by Sandra Grey
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Bound on Earth, by Angela Hallstrom

2007

Achievement Awards Expand

Outstanding Achievement Award: Anita Stansfield

Outstanding Achievement Award: Jennie Hansen

Lifetime Achievement Award: Dean Hughes

Whitney Awards Expand

Adult Categories:

  • General/Historical Fiction
    • Out of Jerusalem: Land of Inheritance, by H.B. Moore
  • Romance
    • Counting Stars, by Michele Paige Holmes
  • Mystery/Suspense
    • Sheep's Clothing, by Josi S. Kilpack
  • Speculative Fiction
    • Book of a Thousand Days, by Shannon Hale

Youth Categories:

  • General Young Adult Fiction
    • Fablehaven 2: Rise of the Evening Star, by Brandon Mull

Overall Categories:

  • Novel of the Year (Adult)
    • On the Road to Heaven, by Coke Newell
  • Best Novel by a Debut Author
    • Dragon Slippers, by Jessica Day George

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