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The Annual Conference is GCLS’s premiere in-person event for bringing old and new friends together to celebrate the LGBTQ community and its literature. At the conference, GCLS strives to provide educational, informative, and inclusive content to its broad community of literary readers, writers, narrators, artists, and others who support the creation and visibility of sapphic literature. In addition to keynote speakers featuring industry luminaries, programming includes panels, presentations, master classes, and workshops intended to bring visibility, diversity, and active discussion to current topics, as well as to provide attendees opportunities to engage and participate in a variety of ways.
The Annual Conference is GCLS’s premiere in-person event for bringing old and new friends together to celebrate the LGBTQ community and its literature. At the conference, GCLS strives to provide educational, informative, and inclusive content to its broad community of literary readers, writers, narrators, artists, and others who support the creation and visibility of sapphic literature. In addition to keynote speakers featuring industry luminaries, programming includes panels, presentations, master classes, and workshops intended to bring visibility, diversity, and active discussion to current topics, as well as to provide attendees opportunities to engage and participate in a variety of ways.


The first conference was held in 2005 in New Orleans where writers, teachers, and speakers joined readers, fans, publishers, and others to document lesbian literary history, award Goldies to top finalists in book categories, and share information about writing craft and technique in multiple workshops. Fundraising efforts began in 2006 to support scholarships, a mentoring program was added in 2007, and in 2008, seventeen [[scholarships]] were awarded to enable more individuals to attend.{{cn|date=August 2023}}
The first conference was held in 2005 in New Orleans where writers, teachers, and speakers joined readers, fans, publishers, and others to document lesbian literary history, award Goldies to top finalists in book categories, and share information about writing craft and technique in multiple workshops. Fundraising efforts began in 2006 to support scholarships, a mentoring program was added in 2007, and in 2008, seventeen [[scholarships]] were awarded to enable more individuals to attend. <ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2023 |title=GCLS History |url=https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/10134269 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


Since 2005, in addition to a variety of genre category awards given to specific books, GCLS has awarded the Trailblazer Award to a lesbian writer for lifetime achievement in recognition of contributions made to the field of [[lesbian literature]]. The Lee Lynch Classic Award was added in 2012 “to recognize books/titles that convey meaningful lesbian experiences with influential historical value.” <ref>{{Cite web |title=Lee Lynch Classic Award |url=https://www.goldencrownliterarysociety.org/lee-lynch-classic |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=GCLS |language=en}}</ref>
Since 2005, in addition to a variety of genre category awards given to specific books, GCLS has awarded the Trailblazer Award to a lesbian writer for lifetime achievement in recognition of contributions made to the field of [[lesbian literature]]. The Lee Lynch Classic Award was added in 2012 “to recognize books/titles that convey meaningful lesbian experiences with influential historical value.” <ref>{{Cite web |title=Lee Lynch Classic Award |url=https://www.goldencrownliterarysociety.org/lee-lynch-classic |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=GCLS |language=en}}</ref>

Revision as of 18:28, 23 August 2023

Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) is a nonprofit organization supporting an international community of readers, writers, publishers, editors, artists, narrators, and fans devoted to increasing the diversity, accessibility, quality, and visibility of sapphic literature (including lesbian, bisexual, queer, nonbinary, trans, and all diverse identities falling within the spectrum of women-loving-women attractions). GCLS’s main goals are to:

  • Recognize and reward quality sapphic literature.
  • Provide learning opportunities, encouragement, and assistance to new and established writers developing their craft.
  • Provide opportunities to promote sapphic literature, including events that bring readers and writers together.
  • Be inclusive of friends/supporters of sapphic literature. [1]

GCLS’s Annual Conference is the organization’s premiere in-person event for bringing local, national, and international supporters together to celebrate sapphic literature. Scholarships are available to those requiring financial assistance to attend. GCLS also organizes Regional Events for in-person panels, book sales and author signings. [2]

Presented annually at the conference, GCLS’s Goldie Awards currently recognize authors of quality literature in 16 judged book categories, plus a judged audiobook narrator category. Other awards include the Trailblazer Award, the Lee Lynch Classics Award, the Tee Corrine Award for Outstanding Cover Design, and the Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award.[3]

GCLS’s Education Department offers master classes, mentoring, and writing academies to provide educational opportunities in sapphic literature. Kicking off with six students in 2014, the Writing Academy, composed of approximately 15 students in each of two nine-month classes, uses a mix of full-time faculty and honorary guest instructors, all of whom are published authors. [4]

The GCLS Virtual Series, launched in 2021, brings GCLS programming to a wider audience. These free, online events via Zoom cover a variety of LGBTQ topics, including community-generated discussions and programs hosted in partnership with the Writing Academy. All Virtual Series events are recorded and available for free on the GCLS YouTube channel shortly after airing. [5]

GCLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization largely dependent on volunteers and financial donations to continue its work. GCLS attained federal nonprofit status in 2011, retroactive to 2007. [6]

History

Golden Crown Literary Society was established in 2004 as a response to lesbian presses and authors being ignored by other awarding agencies. Since then, the organization has grown in size and purpose while holding true to the mission of supporting and strengthening quality lesbian, women-loving-women and other sapphic-themed literature. [7]

Five women are considered to be the founding members of GCLS: Carrie Carr, Cathy LeNoir Bryerose, Lori L. Lake, Radclyffe, and Kathy L. Smith. These founders also served as the organization’s original advisory board, working with all-volunteer committees to launch the Annual Conference in New Orleans in 2005.[citation needed]

In 2006, Cathy Bryerose was named GCLS’s first executive director, followed a year later by Kathy Smith. In 2008-2009, a formal board of directors was established, along with bylaws and periodic reporting to dues-paying members. Named executive director in 2009, Patty Schramm served until July of 2013. Elizabeth (Liz) Gibson then became executive director until mid-2016, followed by Mary Phillips. After Phillip’s departure in late-2020, Ann Roberts served nine months as interim executive director while a new organizational structure was put into place. [citation needed]

In September of 2021, Michele Reynolds became board president and Amanda Radley assumed the new role of managing director, both serving until they stepped aside in October of 2022. Betsy Carswell was then named board president and continues to serve in this capacity. Currently, GCLS has no executive or managing director but instead is led by a four-person Executive Committee composed of the organization’s president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. [8]

Its original focus on lesbian literature notwithstanding, GCLS has long been a supporter of diversity and inclusion. In 2014, “increasing diversity in all aspects of the organization and in lesbian literature” was one of four strategic directions outlined in a newly adopted strategic plan. A Director of Inclusion was added in 2017 “to assist the organization to become a model of inclusivity and diversity within the community.”[9]

In 2020, GCLS’s mission statement was reformulated to focus on increasing the diversity, accessibility, quality, and visibility of sapphic and women-loving-women literature.” In 2021, in a bid to further enhance diversity, GCLS changed its historical status as a dues-paying membership organization to one free to all comers. [10]

Conferences

The Annual Conference is GCLS’s premiere in-person event for bringing old and new friends together to celebrate the LGBTQ community and its literature. At the conference, GCLS strives to provide educational, informative, and inclusive content to its broad community of literary readers, writers, narrators, artists, and others who support the creation and visibility of sapphic literature. In addition to keynote speakers featuring industry luminaries, programming includes panels, presentations, master classes, and workshops intended to bring visibility, diversity, and active discussion to current topics, as well as to provide attendees opportunities to engage and participate in a variety of ways.

The first conference was held in 2005 in New Orleans where writers, teachers, and speakers joined readers, fans, publishers, and others to document lesbian literary history, award Goldies to top finalists in book categories, and share information about writing craft and technique in multiple workshops. Fundraising efforts began in 2006 to support scholarships, a mentoring program was added in 2007, and in 2008, seventeen scholarships were awarded to enable more individuals to attend. [11]

Since 2005, in addition to a variety of genre category awards given to specific books, GCLS has awarded the Trailblazer Award to a lesbian writer for lifetime achievement in recognition of contributions made to the field of lesbian literature. The Lee Lynch Classic Award was added in 2012 “to recognize books/titles that convey meaningful lesbian experiences with influential historical value.” [12]

Due to the Pandemic in 2020 and 2021, these conferences were held virtually with a comprehensive online program. The location of each annual conference is listed below, along with keynote speakers, guest and special speakers, and winners of the Trailblazer and Lee Lynch Classic awards:

Goldie Awards

Since its earliest days, GCLS has promoted quality sapphic literature through its Goldie Awards, presented yearly at the annual conference.[16] By the 19th Annual Conference, judged Goldie Awards had expanded from four categories in 2005 to 17 in 2023, plus five special awards.

In 2008, author Victor J. Banis became the first male writer to be shortlisted for a Goldie, though he did not win. At the 2010 Awards in Atlanta, author Geonn Cannon became the first male writer to win a Goldie for a novel featuring lesbian characters. [17]

In 2015, Jacob Anderson-Minshall became the first openly transgender author to win a Goldie award from the Golden Crown Literary Society. He shared the award for best creative non-fiction book with Diane Anderson-Minshall for Queerly Beloved: A Love Story Across Genders. [18]

After undergoing a review by non-board members, the Goldie awards process was revamped in 2017 to include precise definitions for an expanded list of competitive categories, a greater emphasis on diversity, and revised judging instruments. [19]

Volunteer judges evaluate books in all judged categories on a 1-to10-point quantitative scale, rating each on criteria set out in a comprehensive evaluation form. Criteria for novels, for example, include opening, premise, plot, characters, writing, setting, and reader impact. At the end of the judging process, judges' scores are tallied, and finalists (25% of category nominations) and winners (10% of category nominations) are determined via these scores. [20]

An initial call for nominations typically is issued on September 1 for books published January 1 through December 31 of that year’s competition. Administrators of the Goldie Awards, who operate independent of the GCLS Board of Directors, include eligibility requirements, submission deadlines, fees for submitting e-books, physical books, and/or audiobooks, and other relevant information in their call for submissions. [21]

In recent years, more than 300 titles from more than three dozen publishers (such as Alyson, Bedazzled Ink, Bella Books, Blue Feather, Bold Strokes Books, Carroll & Graf Publishers, Copper Canyon Press, Farrar Straus Giroux, Flashpoint Publications, Haworth Press, Intaglio, Launch Point Press, Sapphire Books, Spinsters Ink, St. Martin's Press and various university presses) have been nominated for consideration.

2023 Winners and Cash Awards

Thanks to a five-year restricted grant of $500,000 from the Aronson-Besthoff Fund of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, award-winning authors are now eligible to receive prize money from Golden Crown Literary Awards.

In 2023, Goldie prizes – $3,000 for first, $2,000 for second, and $1,000 for third place – were bestowed on winners of the Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award. The Ann Bannon Award recognizes books rated by judges as of the highest quality in their categories and then as popular favorites by the community of voters. [22]

Also in 2023, $1,000 prizes were awarded to authors of top-scoring books in 12 genre-specific novel categories and in three “non-novel” categories, as well as to first-time authors of books scoring highest in the Debut Novel competition. Volunteer judges evaluate books in each category on a 1-to10-point quantitative scale, rating each on criteria set out in a comprehensive evaluation form.

In 2024, Ann Bannon prize amounts will increase to $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively for first, second and third place. Also in 2024, $1,000 prizes will be awarded in 16 judged categories to winners scoring highest in their category.

Recipients of all 2023 Goldie Awards are listed below, with monetary prize winners highlighted in bold within each category: [23]

Ann Bannon Popular Choice Awards
GOLD If I Don't Ask E. J. Noyes Bella Books
SILVER Just a Touch Away Jae Ylva Publishing
BRONZE Broken Beyond Repair Emily Banting Sapphfic Publishing
AWARD CATEGORY TITLE AUTHOR/NARRATOR/EDITOR/ARTIST PUBLISHER
Audiobook Narrator A Whisper of Solace Abby Craden Tantor Media
Dead Letters from Paradise Christine Williams Susie Bright, Audible Studios
Dead Woman's Revenge Rebecca Lowman OrangeSky Audio
Contemporary Romance:Short Novels Perfect Rivalry Radclyffe Bold Strokes Books
Trial and Error Carsen Taite Bold Strokes Books
Truly Wanted J.J. Hale Bold Strokes Books
Contemporary Romance:Mid-Length Novels A Long Way to Fall Elle Spencer Bold Strokes Books
Christmas Mouse Rachel Spangler Brisk Press
I Dare You to Love Me Lori G. Matthews Bella Books
She'll Steal Your Heart Rachel Lacey Self-Published
The Last Lavender Sister Melissa Brayden Bold Strokes Books
With a Twist Georgia Beers Bold Strokes Books
Contemporary Romance:

Long Novels

Chemistry Rachael Sommers Ylva Publishing
Over the Moon with You Jaime Clevenger Bella Books
Plain English Rachel Spangler Bywater Books
Purposefully Accidental G Benson Self-published
Something's Different Quinn Ivins Ylva Publishing
Debut Novels Honey in the Marrow Emily Waters Ylva Publishing
Love and Duty Catherine Young Bold Strokes Books
Observations on the Danger of Female Curiosity Suzanne Moss Aesculus Books
The Barrens Kurt Johnson & Ellie Johnson Arcade - Skyhorse
Truly Wanted J.J. Hale Bold Strokes Books
Erotic Novels Escorted Renee Roman Bold Strokes Books
Fiction Anthologies/Collections Defiant Hearts Lee Lynch Bold Strokes Books
General Fiction Dead Letters from Paradise Ann McMan Bywater Books
The Barrens Kurt Johnson & Ellie Johnson Arcade - Skyhorse
General Non-Fiction Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love Felice Cohen Dividends Press
Historical Fiction Observations on the Danger of Female Curiosity Suzanne Moss Aesculus books
Once in Berlin Jo Havens Self-Published
Mystery / Thriller / Crime Novels Delafield Katherine V. Forrest Spinsters Ink
Hunting Gold Ann Aptaker Bywater Books
Last Chance Chicago Diana DiGangi Bywater Books
New Adult Fiction Catching Feelings Ana Hartnett Reichardt Bold Strokes Books
Paranormal / Occult / Horror Novels The Mermaid Hypothesis Siri Caldwell Brussels Sprout Press
The Wicked and the Willing Lianyu Tan Shattered Scepter Press
Poetry Poems / Collections Time Out of Time Arleen Paré Caitlin Press & Dagger Editions
Romantic Blend Novels Despite Chaos Stacy Lynn Miller Bella Books
Enigma Suzie Clarke Bold Strokes Books
Secret Agent Michelle Larkin Bold Strokes Books
Science Fiction / Fantasy Novels Endurance Elaine Burnes Mindancer Press/Bedazzled Ink
The Mage and the Monster Barbara Ann Wright Bold Strokes Books
Tee Corrine Outstanding Cover Design Observations on the Danger of Female Curiosity Suzanne Moss Aesculus books
Young Adult Fiction Can I Trust Her? Frances Lucas Bella Books

[24]

  • 2023 – GOLD: If I Don’t Ask by E.J. Noyes (Bella Books); SILVER: Just a Touch Away by Jae (Ylva Publishing); BRONZE: Broken Beyond Repair by Emily Banting (Sapphfic Publishing)
  • 2022 –The Headmistress by Milena McKay (Self-Published)
  • 2021 – Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae (Ylva Publishing)
  • 2020 – Judge Me When I'm Wrong by Cheryl A. Head (Bywater Books)
  • 2019 – A Proper Cuppa Tea by KG MacGregor (Bella Books)
  • 2018 – An Outsider Inside by RJ Samuel (Self-Published)
  • 2017 – Rainbow Gap by Lee Lynch (Bold Strokes Books)
  • 2016 – All We Lack by Sandra Moran, (Bedazzled Ink Publishing)
  • 2015 – Olive Oil & White Bread by Georgia Beers (Bywater Books)
  • 2014 – TIE: All That Lies Within by Lynn Ames (Phoenix Rising Press); Letters Never Sent by Sandra Moran (Bedazzled Ink Publishing)
  • 2013 – Survived by Her Longtime Companion by Chris Paynter (Blue Feather Books)
  • 2012 – Bingo Barge Murder, A Shay O'Hanlon Caper by Jessie Chandler (Midnight Ink)
  • 2011 – Starting From Scratch by Georgia Beers (Brisk Press)
  • 2010 – Beggar of Love by Lee Lynch (Bold Stroke Books)
  • 2009 –The Kiss That Counted by Karin Kallmaker (Bella Books)
  • 2008 – And Playing The Role of Herself by K. E. Lane (Regal Crest)
  • 2007 – Snow Moon Rising by Lori L. Lake (Regal Crest)

Tee Corrine Award for Outstanding Cover Design: 2015 to 2023

[24]

  • 2023 – Observations on the Danger of Female Curiosity, cover design by Suzanne Moss (Aesculus Books)
  • 2022 –The Headmistress, cover design by Em Schreiber (Self-Published)
  • 2021 – Nottingham: The True Story of Robyn Hood, cover design by Ann McMan, TreeHouse Studio (Bywater Books)
  • 2020 – Alone, cover design by Judith Fellows (Bella Books)
  • 2019 – 2°, cover design by Ann McMan (Bywater Books)
  • 2018 – An Outsider Inside, cover design by Ann McMan, TreeHouse Studio (Bywater Books)
  • 2017 – Heartscapes, cover design by Sheri (Bold Strokes Books)
  • 2016 – TIE: All We Lack, cover design by Ann McMan, TreeHouse Studio (Bedazzled Ink Publishing); Cast Me Gently, cover design by Glendon Haddix (Ylva Publishing)
  • 2015 – Everything, cover design by Ann McMan, TreeHouse Studio (Bedazzled Ink Publishing)

References

  1. ^ "Mission Statement". August 23, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "New Jersey Regional Event". August 23, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Awards". Retrieved August 23, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Education". August 23, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Virtual Series | WLW and Sapphic Literature Society". GCLS. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  6. ^ "Donate". GCLS. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "History - Golden Crown Literary Society". staging-gcls.site-ym.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  8. ^ "GCLS Board of Directors | Golden Crown Literary Society". GCLS. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  9. ^ "History - Golden Crown Literary Society". staging-gcls.site-ym.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  10. ^ "About Us = Golden Crown Literary Society". web.archive.org. April 21, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  11. ^ "GCLS History". August 23, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Lee Lynch Classic Award". GCLS. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "GCLS honors lesbian writers". Windy City Times. 33 (44): 21. July 18, 2018.
  14. ^ Anderson-Minshall, Diane (June 2007. "Curvatures: Golden Crown Literary Festival." Curve Magazine. Retrieved on June 1, 2008.
  15. ^ Lee, Ryan (June 2007). "Stranger Than Fiction." Atlanta Voice Archived August 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ^ "Golden Crown Literary Society". web.archive.org. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "Previous Goldie Winners". GCLS. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  18. ^ "Historic Night at Golden Crown Literary Awards". www.advocate.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  19. ^ "Golden Crown Literary Society - Award Categories and Judging Guidelines". goldencrown.secure-platform.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  20. ^ "Golden Crown Literary Society - Judging Process, Rules, & Regulations". goldencrown.secure-platform.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Golden Crown Literary Society - Eligibility". goldencrown.secure-platform.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  22. ^ "Golden Crown Literary Society - Changes to the Awards". goldencrown.secure-platform.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  23. ^ "Golden Crown Literary Society - 2023 Goldie Finalists". goldencrown.secure-platform.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Previous Goldie Winners". GCLS. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
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