I just put this on the AML FB page. I dont have all of the judges citations, so either I or Glenn Gordon will finish the list ASAP. AWARD WINNERS 2013: The Association for Mormon Letters presents an award In creative non-fiction to Melissa Dalton-Bradford For her memoir Global Mom: Eight Countries, Sixteen Addresses, Five Languages, One Family Melissa Dalton-Bradford takes her reader on journeys to humor and heartbreak, across borders of multiple countries, beyond unthinkable edges of grief, and into several languages. The reader is rewarded by a new sense of the world and of humanity, as well as by Dalton-Bradford’s poetic word crafting. Her book is a gift to all who read it. The Association for Mormon Letters presents an award in film to Garrett Batty For his film The Saratov Approach Batty’s film, which he wrote and directed, will be remembered as an important mark in LDS cinema as it moved beyond the Mormon corridor to critical praise in New York and California. The Saratov Approach will be remembered in Mormon history as a film about two young men—kidnapping victims--who happen to be Mormon, but whose story is compelling for any audience member. The characters are well-developed, and the dramatic arc beautifully fulfilled in this fine work. Though we recognize that all films are collaborative, we honor Garrett Batty for his vision and passion which made his script come to life on many screens. Special Award to Scott Hales For Garden of Enid The Association for Mormon Letters presents An award in the novel to Sarah Eden for Longing for Home When I was asked to help judge the AML Award for novels I was immediately excited to read the literary fiction, speculative fiction, and fantasy books. Very much less so the womens fiction/romance category. Being a male, in my head I had a preconceived notion of romance novels and they were not anything that appealed to me. But to be a judge one must be unbiased and give all entrants a fair chance. So I picked up Sarah M. Edens Longing for Home first simply because it was the longest. I intended to read it, be done quickly, and move on to more interesting things without a second thought. So imagine my surprise when I found myself grinning at Katies decisive and cold rejection of pretty-boy Tavish in the opening pages. A few more pages and I was expertly drawn into Katies tapestry of problems. These characters had breadth, depth, and human complications and I cared about what happened to them. Every conception in my mind of what a romance novel entails was turned on its head by this book. I wont give away details because you should read it for yourself, woman or man, but I will say that I laughed, I smiled, and yes, I cried. Sarah M. Eden has done a masterful job spinning a tale of drama, intrigue, and even some mystery; all while crafting human, believable, appropriately flawed characters. These elements are all sewn together into a haunting and memorable love story. Suffice it to say that this book is truly deserving of AMLs 2013 Literary Award for Novel. And I will be reading the sequel! The Association for Mormon Letters Presents the Smith-Petit Award For service to Mormon Letters to Charlotte Hawkins England From the time Charlotte and Gene England married and then served as missionary companions in Samoa, they were united on religious and artistic fronts—Charlotte as an artist and Eugene as an essayist and connoisseur of stained glass, Mormon literature, and Charlotte’s inimitable ice cream. Together, they showed the pattern of true companionship, the epitome of what Gene envisioned in his essay “Sweet are the Uses of Fidelity.” In 1976, Gene co-founded The Association for Mormon Letters, and Charlotte offered their home for post-AML conference readings. Charlotte was more than a faithful companion to her husband, but an inspiration, sometimes a set of brakes, and always a radiant example of beauty and creativity. She and Gene hosted not only AML award winners, but BYU students, poets (including Leslie Norris), church leaders, and provocative lecturers. Though they were accustomed to cabin living, they chose to build a roomy and well-appointed home so that they could host such events. It is fitting that the Association for Mormon Letters Conference will now be moved to BYU-Hawaii, where many Samoan students (as well as other islanders) might help it blossom. The Association for Mormon Letters honors Charlotte Hawkins England for the support and service rendered to innumerable students, writers, dreamers, and lovers of all good things.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:19:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015