Awards Announced at 85th Conference - Quills 2020

LEAGUE OF UTAH WRITERS APPOINT NEW PRESIDENT AND NAME WRITER OF THE YEAR AMONG OTHER AWARDS AT THEIR 85th ANNUAL WRITING CONFERENCE

Salt Lake City, UT -- The League of Utah Writers held their annual awards ceremony for the 85th time last night, appointing a new President of the organization, announcing their Writer of the Year award, and giving away almost $3,000 in cash prizes for their annual writing contest.

Johnny Worthen of the Infinite Monkeys chapter ended his two-year tenure as president of the League of Utah Writers and passed the gavel to John M. Olsen of the Herriman chapter. “It’s been an absolute privilege to serve in this organization,” Worthen said of his time. “We are stronger than we’ve ever been, and we’ve been going for a while. I’m confident the League will continue its tradition of offering community, opportunity, and excellence to its members.”

“The League is a great resource for local writers through our conferences and other events which are mostly online at the moment,” Olsen said. Looking to the future, he continued, “We have a wonderful, vibrant writing community in Utah. Moving forward, we will concentrate on fresh ways to teach, to network, and to help one another learn and grow and achieve our goals as writers. Each generation of writers learns from the one before, and then becomes the mentors of those who follow them, and I love being a part of that.”

Also named was the new President-Elect of the League, Bryan Young, who will succeed Olsen at the end of his term which could last one or two years. Young previously served as the Historian of the League and is the president of the Salt City Genre Writers chapter. “I’m deeply honored that I’ve been chosen to help continue the legacy of this august organization,” Young said. “For 85 years it’s provided mentorship and learning opportunities for writers of all skill levels and I can’t wait to take a turn advancing it toward the end of its first century as we seek to create a safe, diverse, and inclusive place for writers.”

Every year, the League chooses one writer among its ranks to honor as the Writer of the Year. After open nominations and a tough spate of judging, Charlie N. Holmberg came out with the top honors. The award is designed to shine a light on the most impressive writer in Utah, one who has accomplished something with their publishing, and offered mentorship to their fellows. Holmberg exemplifies this through the work she’s done with the League of Utah Writers as well as her publishing credits. She is the award-winning author of the Numina series, The Fifth Doll, and many others. Her Wall Street Journal bestselling Paper Magician series was optioned by the Walt Disney Company. Charlie’s stand-alone novel, Followed by Frost, was nominated for a 2016 RITA Award for Best Young Adult Romance. 2020 saw the release of her latest, The Will and the Wilds.

The Diamond Quill award, the League’s highest honor, was bestowed on the novel #Lured by Jo Schneider.

Other Quill Award and contest winners are listed below the press release in their entirety.

The League of Utah Writers is a nonprofit organization supporting aspiring and established writers with outreach, education, and publishing opportunities. With more than two dozen chapters throughout Utah, from Logan to St. George, it is the state’s oldest and largest writing community. Established in 1935, the League of Utah Writers sponsors contests, conferences, classes, and other events throughout the year. Aspiring Utah writers of all ages, styles, and experience levels are invited to join the league and take the next step in their writing career.

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QUILL AWARD WINNERS

DIAMOND QULL:

#Lured by Jo Schneider

NOVEL

Gold Quill: Founding Sheriff by Edward Massey

Silver Quill: Retaliation by Haley Cavanagh

Recommended Read: Siege & Sacrifice by Charlie Holmberg

Recommended Read: Thicker Than Water by Johnny Worthen

Recommended Read: Not the Bodyguard's Baby by Lorin Grace

YOUTH

Gold Quill: Elmer's Feelings by Kari Milito