how it began…
named after Orson F. Whitney
In 2007, Robison Wells set out to showcase the best of Latter-day Saint fiction—at first, fiction specifically for the Latter-day Saint market and later, fiction written by anyone who identified as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Whitney Awards are named for Orson F. Whitney, who
said:
“We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own. ”
Orson F. Whitney
Of Latter-day Saint literature he said, “Above all things, we must be
original{…}. Our mission is diverse from all other; our literature must
also be.” These awards are intended to honor novelists within the
Latter-day Saint faith, to showcase their talents and their unique contributions to literature.
“Since then things have blossomed into a magnificent program that
honors the best of the best, national, indie-pubbed, LDS-pubbed, and everything in between. And I couldn’t be prouder.”
— Robison Wells, founder
It is our hope to be a part of that journey toward excellence by honoring writers who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
