"What Do You Think About...Wednesday" with Josi Kilpack

My guest today for "What Do You Think About...Wednesday" is award winning author Josi Kilpack. Josi is the author of thirteen books. This year she has been serving as the President of the Whitney Academy which sponsors and conducts the Whitney Awards. The Whitney Awards are given yearly to outstanding LDS authors. I wanted to ask Josi some questions having to do with the Whitney Awards.


What do you think about the positive impact of the Whitney awards on LDS writers? Have the Whitneys changed the books being written by LDS authors?


I think the positive impact of the Whitney awards on LDS writers is huge. Anything worth doing is worth doing well, and having goals as a writer makes all the difference. There are certainly personal goals that have to do with learning your craft, getting published, and procuring good reviews, but the Whitney Awards offers another arena in which to shoot for--that of public recognition. I'm thrilled that the Whitney Awards seem to have reached the point where becoming a finalist is, in and of itself, an accomplishment in it's own right. I'm equally thrilled that more and more writers and readers are becoming aware of the program and therefore spreading the word. I have seen very positive changes in overall quality of writing which is the mission of the Whitney Awards would accomplish. I have been involved in one way or another with the Whitney Awards since the start and it's been an exciting process to watch unfold. Hats off to all the writers who are working hard to write their best work. Hats off to the readers who are recognizing great fiction and taking the time to nominate their books. Hats off to the judges and committee members that do all the behind the scenes work to make the award program happen. I could not be happier with the way The Whitey Awards have grown and developed and I look forward to many more years of growth and awareness that will continue to bless the market, the readers, and the writers who make it possible.


The Finalists for the Whitney awards are posted on the Whitney Awards website. Please go there and see if some of your favorite books from 2010 are finalists. Thank you Josi for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be my guest today.