he “Bookies” are here!

Relax, no one is coming to break your legs because the Jazz didn’t cover the spread. It’s not that kind of bookie. No, these “bookies” are the Utah Book Awards, a showcase of local professional writing talent. Although they are not officially called the “bookies” yet—and as far as I know I am the only one to call them that thus far—I think that is a nice catchphrase for the award that the Utah Center for the Book puts out every year to honor local authors.

The Utah Book Awards recognize the works of Utah authors in five different categories: fiction, non fiction, poetry, youth and speculative fiction.

Judith Freeman’s Red Water, a novel about the Mountain Meadows Massacre, beat out fellow nominees David Kranes (The National Tree) and Michael Gills (Why I Lie) for the best fiction category.

Ellen Meloy took home the prize for best non-fiction with her book The Anthropology of Turquoise, edging out Will Bagley‚s controversial Blood of the Prophets, also about the Mountain Meadows Massacre (a popular subject this year). Editor John Sillito and Susan Staker were also honored as finalists in the non fiction category with Signature Books’ Mormon Mavericks: Essays on Dissenters.

In the poetry category, the center singled out Arcady by Donald Revell for recognition over fellow finalists Jan C. Minich (The Letters of Silver Dollar) and Nancy Takacs (Pale Blue Wings).

The youth category winner was A.E. Cannon’s “Charlotte’s Rose,” a story about a pioneer girl’s trek westward that is inclusive in reaching out to all readers regardless of religious belief. Michael Nordenstrom (“Pele and the Rivers of Fire”) and Caralyn and Mark Buehner (“Snowmen at Night”) were also finalists.

Finally, L.E. Modesitt Jr. won the speculative fiction category with his science-fiction novel Archform: Beauty. Also nominated in that category were Ken Rand (Tales of the Lucky Nickel Saloon, Second Ave., Laramie, Wyoming), K.L. Morgan (In Search of Dragons) and Orson Scott Card (First Meetings: Three Stories from the Enderverse).

All authors deserve recognition for their hard work and determination. Most writers struggle a long time to see their work come to fruition, and not always with financial success. These authors are rightly recognized for their efforts and the Utah Center for the Book should be commended for the sponsorship of the Utah Book Awards, and also for the oddly cool-sounding name Utah Center for the Book. Also, Utah Center for the Book, you have my permission, if you so choose, to now formally call the Utah Books Awards “the bookies.”

So remember Utah, we aren’t just the home of the Osmonds or “Touched By an Angel,” or celebrity singer/songwriter/senator Orrin Hatch. We also have some people who write some pretty damn good books. Also remember that gambling on sports is illegal in the state of Utah and that real bookies don’t break your legs. Nowadays they usually just beat you until your teeth fall out. Happy reading!
bart@red-mag.com