Carol Lynn Pearson has long been known for her poetry, plays, books, and unwavering advocacy for women and the LGBTQ community. Now, her diaries reveal an intimate look at the woman behind her work.
In this second volume of her diaries, releasing July 20, learn about the inner life of a writer whose voice shaped conversations about the Latter-day Saint faith, feminism, LGBTQ inclusion, and spiritual belonging from 1990 to 2002. Through her diary entries, letters, and reflections on current events, Pearson offers a front-row seat to a pivotal era in Mormon history.
Excerpt from September 11, 1994:
“I wrote a letter to [LDS Apostle] Dallin Oaks, saying that eight years have now passed since I wrote him concerning the ‘Integrity’ lesson in Relief Society that did not mention one woman. Last week we had virtually the same lesson with—still—not one woman in sight. Every one of the examples and quotations were by and about men. I quoted the letter he sent me admitting we need to put forth ‘best efforts’ toward making things better, and also have ‘patience.’ I indicated that I succeeded in having patience and asked him to assess the ‘best efforts’ the church has made, indicating that I felt we had taken one step forward and five back. I asked him to please respond.”
Get your copy of The Diaries of Carol Lynn Pearson—Mormon Author, Feminist, and Activist, Volume 2: 1990–2002 to read Dallin Oaks’s response.
In the News
Our authors have been busy! From podcast conversations and literary interviews to prestigious awards and a historic moment in college basketball, here are a few recent highlights.
Richard D. Hanks on Mormon Land
Richard D. Hanks recently joined Mormon Land podcast hosts Peggy Fletcher Stack and Dave Noyce to discuss To Be a Friend of Christ: The Life of Marion D. Hanks. Drawing from previously unavailable notebooks, recordings, and other primary sources, Richard offers an intimate portrait of his father, Marion D. Hanks, a beloved speaker, teacher, mission president, and general authority.
Millie Tullis Featured in Two Literary Conversations
Poet Millie Tullis was interviewed by Alyssa Quinn for Sugar House Review and by Rebecca Beardsall on the Lit Illuminated podcast. Both conversations explore the writing and creative process that went into her newly released book, These Saints Are Stones.
Celebrating Award-Winning Authors
We’re thrilled to celebrate several recent honors recognizing the outstanding work of our authors and our publishing community.
A Historic Moment for BYU Basketball
AJ Dybantsa made BYU history by becoming the university’s first-ever No. 1 NBA Draft pick, selected by the Washington Wizards. To learn more about Dybantsa’s journey and the larger story of basketball at BYU, check out Game Changers: AJ Dybantsa, BYU, and the Struggle for the Soul of Basketball.
Game Changers Review
E. George Goold, writing for St. George News, calls Game Changers “a vivid history of how basketball became so popular at BYU over the years.” Read the full review, including an interview with the book’s coauthor Matthew Bowman, here.
Historian Benjamin Park Joins Signature’s Board
We’re excited to announce that Professor Benjamin Park has accepted a position as a member of the executive board at Signature Books. Ben has an impressive background in the Mormon history community. He received his PhD from the University of Cambridge and teaches at Sam Houston State University. He is the author or editor of five books, including Kingdom of Nauvoo: The Rise and Fall of a Religious Empire on the American Frontier, which won the Best Book Award from the Mormon History Association, and American Zion: A New History of Mormonism, which won the Philip Schaff Prize for Best Book in the History of Christianity from the American Society of Church History. He also edited DNA Mormon: Perspectives on the Legacy of Historian D. Michael Quinn, published by Signature Books in 2022. He has served as president of the Mormon History Association and runs a popular YouTube channel.
