The Whitney Awards

I want to spread the news about the Whitney Awards.  They are given to books--any books--either locally or nationally or internationally published--written by LDS authors.  This year, I have two books that are eligible:  Freshman for President and Reunion, so that's fun.

To nominate a book for a Whitney Award, go here.  You can nominate as many books as you like!

There are a couple of great blogs with lists of the books that are eligible this year on their sidebars.  Try this one or this one and then scroll down along the side.  You may be surprised to see how many amazing authors are LDS!

Any book that gets 5 nominations then goes before the Whitney judges, who then narrow it down to a list of finalists which are then voted upon.  They have lots of different categories (Best Novel of the Year, Youth Fiction, etc.).  To find out more about the Whitneys, go to their official site here.

Last year, I was lucky enough to be a finalist for First Day in the Youth Fiction category.  It was so much fun to go to the banquet and see so many LDS authors together.  Shannon Hale was there, Jessica Day George was there, Brandon Mull was there, Brandon Sanderson, James Dashner, J. Scott Savage, and the list goes on.  I have honestly never seen such a happy, supportive group of people.  Everyone was rooting for everyone else and having a blast while doing so.  So please support the Whitneys and your favorite authors, and go nominate some of your favorite books!

Radio Interview this Sunday, October 26

Hello again.  I just finished taping my radio interview for KSL Radio's program Everyday Lives, Everyday Values.  Doug Wright is the host of that show, and he is fantastic.  He always asks the best questions and moves the interview along so well.

The interview will air at 9:00 a.m. MST on KSL Radio 1160.  If you don't live in Utah, you can listen at www.ksl.com (click on the ListenLive icon).  I'm not sure if you'll be able to access it after the initial broadcast.

I talk mostly about Reunion, my latest book, but I also make mention of Freshman for President and what I'm working on now.  If you end up listening, thank you in advance, and I hope you enjoy the interview. :)

Listing

I'm having a hard time thinking of what to post about, so I thought that perhaps I would take some of my own advice and come up with a list. (I used to tell students this when they were stuck in their writing.)  Sometimes listing things gets my mind working. So, here's a list composed of things I like about being on television, since who knows when/if that will ever happen again, and another one of things I do not like:

Things I Like About Being on Television

-the chance to wear grown-up clothes for a little while without baby spit-up, peanut butter, and/or boogies on them

-the cookies they have in the waiting room

-talking to television hosts, who are all really, really nice and smiley

-hearing from friends who I haven't seen in a long time who saw me on TV

-talking about my book and feeling like, "This is really happening!  I published a book!"

-hearing my five-year-old telling his friends all about it (I love when my kids are proud of me)

Things I Do Not Like About Being on Television

-having to shop for aforementioned grown-up clothes with three little boys in tow

-really wanting to eat the cookies in the waiting room but knowing that I will get crumbs everywhere and chocolate on my front tooth just in time to go in front of the cameras

-realizing that friends who have not seen me for a long time will see me on TV and think "Good heavens, what happened to Ally?!?"

So, as you can see, many more good things than bad.  I have a radio interview this week, which is always nice.  I'm not sure when that one will broadcast (it's pre-taped), but I will update when I have the chance.  And then I will write about something other than interviews. I'm not sure what, though.  Ideas, anyone?  Anyone?

Voting

When I was doing the program on KSL today, one of the things I mentioned was that taking your kids with you to vote is one of the best things you can do to get them interested in politics and in the voting process.  I read an article about that in Parents magazine--how kids were really impacted by that one simple act. 

Now, obviously this doesn't really apply to kids who are super young.  No way am I dragging my three-year-old to the voting booth.  He would hate it, and I would hate it.  But older kids--now that could work, right?  I remember thinking it was so cool when our school was a polling place and you could see all the adults coming to vote.

I also remember the first time I could vote.  As it happened, the year I turned eighteen was an election year, and I felt so adult and competent as I walked in there and marked my ballot. (Now it's all computerized.  Which makes me hope the computers aren't plotting to take over the world.)  Anyway, I loved it.  I've voted in every presidential election since.  I like the almost festive atmosphere as you wait in line with other civic-minded souls.  It makes me feel like a good citizen.  It makes me feel lucky to live where and when I do.  

I do love voting.  I wonder if my five-year-old is old enough to bring along on November 4th?

(By the way, for those of you who asked, I was told that the clip would be made available at www.studio5.ksl.com in a day or so. ) :)

On Television

Can you believe that the election is less than a month away?  I can't.  It seems like we have been listening to these candidates forever, but on the other hand, it also seems like the day of decision is coming quickly.  I'm definitely going to watch the presidential debate tonight.  It's on at 7:00 p.m., MST.  Don't forget!

Also, I have a television appearance coming up.  It will be on KSL at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14th.  The show is called Studio 5.  I'll be discussing Freshman for President.  It should be fun!