My copy of the new Irreantum arrived yesterday (coincidently, along with my new issue of Dialogue). This issue focuses on “spritual autobiography.” In the introduction, the editor, Laraine Wilkins says, “Of the handful of texts I think of as foundational for Mormonsim, spiritual autobiography is embedded in the very narrative structures and rhetoric that church [...]

Even though I was thoroughly enjoying it, about 15 minutes into the documentary “New York Doll” I began to get a bit worried. The Mormons seemed too nice and naive, the punks too decadent, and Arthur ‘Killer’ Kane, the washed-up punk bassist turned Mormon too awkward and goofy (and too much of a loser, frankly). [...]

(”When the Morning Stars Sang Together,” by William Blake)
In 2001 I took my kids to a southern Utah park for their first camping trip. We pitched our tent then went hiking in time to witness a spectacular desert sunset. Boy, I couldn’t wait for the sky to darken and show my son and my [...]

I attended the 2005 Association for Mormon Letters Writer’s Conference, which was held Saturday at Westminster College in Salt Lake. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend half of it because, for some reason, the conference was scheduled on the same day as the single biggest event in the state of Utah – the BYU [...]

Its one of those questions that may seem obvious, but really isn’t obvious. What should authors be doing, if anything, to improve the market for LDS books? Or is improving the market even in their best interest?

(In Part IV of this series we looked at how sacred language and stories of resolution and wisdom labor to unravel traps that deadly language weaves to catch its victims. Shamanistic or holy storytellers act as repositories of “ways out,” keeping alive important language that tells what heroes or gods have done over the ages [...]

This is the third in a three-part series on the role of Deseret Book in the LDS Market. As the largest player in the market and because it is owned by the LDS Church, it occupies a unique, but problematic, in my view, position. You can still read part 1 and part 2.
Before addressing whether [...]

Last week I visited Michael Olson’s AP English high school classes in Spanish Fork, Utah. Michael, who also runs The Payson Chronicle, asked that I discuss “the writing process” with his students and talk about tensions that may exist between what the reader got from a story and what the writer intended in writing it. [...]

Shopping in LDS bookstores drives me crazy!
When I actually manage to get to an LDS bookstore, I can’t seem to find the kind of books I like. Why? The categories don’t make any sense.

(Part III explored the idea that using language in any way is an act, and so barbed or deadly language may threaten or damage the physical or psychological wellbeing of its intended victim as effectively as physical acts do. Language invested with the task of wielding control must be carefully focused. In cultures where witchcraft [...]

This is the second in a three-part series on the role of Deseret Book in the LDS Market. As the largest player in the market and because it is owned by the LDS Church, it occupies a unique, but problematic, in my view, position. The first part discussed the problem’s that Deseret Book’s size causes.
The [...]

“A Mormon Fiddler on the Roof. That’s what we want and when we have it we’ll know that LDS culture has reached its potential.”
At least that’s what many Church members think. You might say they have ‘Fiddler-envy.’ I’ve seen LDS publishers create imprints or approach authors claiming that they are looking for ‘cross-over’ works or [...]

Eric Samuelsen, professor in theatre history, theory and criticism at BYU, has kindly granted AMV permission to re-post his AML-List review of “God’s Army 2: States of Grace.” I encourage any readers who want access to timely and interesting reviews, excellent discussion of Mormon art and culture, and insider perspectives on the Mormon market to [...]

From Irreantum editor Laraine Wilkins:
“The Association for Mormon Letters is pleased to announce the winners of its fifth annual Irreantum fiction contest.

First place ($250): “Judgment Day” by Aaron Orullian
Second place ($175): “They Wandered in Deserts” by Shawn P. Bailey
Third place ($100): “I Choose the Highway” by Charlotte Hilton Andersen
Honorable mention ($50): “Fatal Broken Heart” by [...]