Golden Crown Literary Society
Encyclopedia
The Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) is a 501(c)(3) organization established in February 2004 as a literary and educational organization for the study, discussion, enjoyment, and enhancement of lesbian literature
. The GCLS membership includes publishers, distributors, authors, and readers of lesbian fiction
. An all-volunteer effort, GCLS is open to all individuals who are interested in enjoying, discussing, promoting and enhancing the future of lesbian literature
. In 2011 (and retroactive to 2007), the GCLS attained federal nonprofit status.
, Radclyffe
, and Kathy L. Smith. The current Board of Directors list is available at the organization web site http://www.goldencrown.org.
The GCLS has participated in a number of charitable functions. In response to Hurricane Katrina, which took place just after the organization's first conference in New Orleans, members of the organization raised thousands of dollars in direct aid to lesbians affected by the disaster. Books and other materials have often been donated to charities (such as GLBT libraries).
Conference attendees cite the event as a crucial social and professional link, important to maintaining a strong lesbian literary field. Since 2005, the Society has awarded a "Trailblazer Award" to a lesbian writer for lifetime achievement, in recognition of the contributions she has made to the field of lesbian literature
.
Conferences have been held in:
through the "Goldie Awards", a yearly awards program with the awards bestowed at the yearly conference. Since their inception, the awards categories have expanded from four novel categories in 2005 to twelve broader categories in 2008, recognizing novels, short story collections, erotica, and anthologies. Eight finalists can be shortlisted in each of the categories with a maximum of three equal winners named in each category. In recent years, more than 130 titles from more than a three dozen publishers (such as Alyson, Bella Books
, Bold Strokes Books
, Carroll & Graf Publishers
, Copper Canyon Press
, Farrar Straus Giroux, Haworth
, Regal Crest Enterprises
, Spinsters Ink, and St. Martin's Press
) were nominated for consideration.
Winners of all awards over the years can be found at the Golden Crown Literary Awards website: www.goldencrown.org.
In addition to the regular book awards, there are three special awards given:
Lesbian literature
This is a list of books portraying sexual relations between female characters, who may include lesbians, bisexuals and WSWs.-Classic fiction and drama:*The Bachelor Girl – Victor Margueritte –...
. The GCLS membership includes publishers, distributors, authors, and readers of lesbian fiction
Lesbian fiction
Lesbian fiction is a subgenre of fiction that involves one or more primary female homosexual character and lesbian themes. Novels that fall into this category may be of any genres, such as, but not limited to, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance.-History:The first...
. An all-volunteer effort, GCLS is open to all individuals who are interested in enjoying, discussing, promoting and enhancing the future of lesbian literature
Lesbian literature
This is a list of books portraying sexual relations between female characters, who may include lesbians, bisexuals and WSWs.-Classic fiction and drama:*The Bachelor Girl – Victor Margueritte –...
. In 2011 (and retroactive to 2007), the GCLS attained federal nonprofit status.
History
In 2004, five women became the founding members of the GCLS: Carrie Carr, C. LeNoir, Lori L. LakeLori L. Lake
Lori L. Lake is an Oregon writer, teacher, speaker, and author of mystery, drama, romance, and general fiction, most of which is about lesbian protagonists...
, Radclyffe
Radclyffe
Radclyffe is an American author of numerous lesbian romances. A 2003/04 recipient of the Alice B. award for her body of work as well as a member of the Golden Crown Literary Society, Pink Ink, and the Romance Writers of America, she lives with her partner Lee in Upstate New York...
, and Kathy L. Smith. The current Board of Directors list is available at the organization web site http://www.goldencrown.org.
The GCLS has participated in a number of charitable functions. In response to Hurricane Katrina, which took place just after the organization's first conference in New Orleans, members of the organization raised thousands of dollars in direct aid to lesbians affected by the disaster. Books and other materials have often been donated to charities (such as GLBT libraries).
Conferences
In 2005, the organization held the first conference where lesbian writers, teachers, and speakers joined readers, fans, publishers, and others to document lesbian literary history, award "Goldies" to top finalists in the book awards categories, and share needed 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.Conference attendees cite the event as a crucial social and professional link, important to maintaining a strong lesbian literary field. Since 2005, the Society has awarded a "Trailblazer Award" to a lesbian writer for lifetime achievement, in recognition of the contributions she has made to the field of lesbian literature
Lesbian literature
This is a list of books portraying sexual relations between female characters, who may include lesbians, bisexuals and WSWs.-Classic fiction and drama:*The Bachelor Girl – Victor Margueritte –...
.
Conferences have been held in:
- 2012, upcoming - Minneapolis, Minnesota. Trailblazer Award: TBA; Keynote: TBA
- 2011 - Orlando, Florida. Trailblazer Award: Karin KallmakerKarin KallmakerKarin Kallmaker is the prolific American author of lesbian fiction whose works also include those originally written under the name Laura Adams. Her writings span lesbian romance, lesbian erotica, and lesbian science-fiction/fantasy...
; Keynote: KG MacGregor - 2010 - Orlando, Florida. Trailblazer Award: Ellen HartEllen HartEllen Hart is the award-winning mystery author of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenaway series. She was born in Minneapolis, MN in August 1949. A professional chef for 14 years, Hart's mysteries include culinary elements similar to those of Diane Mott Davidson.The author says of her work, "I don't...
; Keynote: Lee Lynch - 2009 - Orlando, Florida. Trailblazer Award: Lee Lynch; Keynote: J.M. Redmann
- 2008 - Phoenix, Arizona. Trailblazer Award: Katherine V. ForrestKatherine V. ForrestKatherine V. Forrest is an American writer.Forrest is best known for her eight novels about lesbian police detective Kate Delafield. The character was the very first lesbian police detective in the American lesbian mystery genre and is described as "Miss Marple with k.d...
; Keynote: Katherine V. ForrestKatherine V. ForrestKatherine V. Forrest is an American writer.Forrest is best known for her eight novels about lesbian police detective Kate Delafield. The character was the very first lesbian police detective in the American lesbian mystery genre and is described as "Miss Marple with k.d... - 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia. Trailblazer Award: Jane RuleJane RuleJane Vance Rule, CM, OBC was a Canadian writer of lesbian-themed novels and non-fiction.-Biography:Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Jane Vance Rule was the oldest daughter of Carlotta Jane and Arthur Richards Rule. She claimed she was a tomboy growing up and felt like an outsider for reaching six...
; Keynote: Ellen HartEllen HartEllen Hart is the award-winning mystery author of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenaway series. She was born in Minneapolis, MN in August 1949. A professional chef for 14 years, Hart's mysteries include culinary elements similar to those of Diane Mott Davidson.The author says of her work, "I don't... - 2006 - Atlanta, Georgia. Trailblazer Award: Sarah AldridgeSarah AldridgeSarah Aldridge was the pen name of Anyda Marchant , who was a founding partner for Naiad Press 1973 and A&M Books in 1995, and a writer of primarily lesbian popular fiction....
; Keynote: Ann BannonAnn BannonAnn Bannon is an American author who, from 1957 to 1962, wrote six lesbian pulp fiction novels known as The Beebo Brinker Chronicles. The books' enduring popularity and impact on lesbian identity has earned her the title "Queen of Lesbian Pulp Fiction"... - 2005 - New Orleans. Trailblazer Award: Ann BannonAnn BannonAnn Bannon is an American author who, from 1957 to 1962, wrote six lesbian pulp fiction novels known as The Beebo Brinker Chronicles. The books' enduring popularity and impact on lesbian identity has earned her the title "Queen of Lesbian Pulp Fiction"...
; Keynote: Karin KallmakerKarin KallmakerKarin Kallmaker is the prolific American author of lesbian fiction whose works also include those originally written under the name Laura Adams. Her writings span lesbian romance, lesbian erotica, and lesbian science-fiction/fantasy...
GCLS "Goldie" Awards
GCLS promotes lesbian fictionLesbian fiction
Lesbian fiction is a subgenre of fiction that involves one or more primary female homosexual character and lesbian themes. Novels that fall into this category may be of any genres, such as, but not limited to, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance.-History:The first...
through the "Goldie Awards", a yearly awards program with the awards bestowed at the yearly conference. Since their inception, the awards categories have expanded from four novel categories in 2005 to twelve broader categories in 2008, recognizing novels, short story collections, erotica, and anthologies. Eight finalists can be shortlisted in each of the categories with a maximum of three equal winners named in each category. In recent years, more than 130 titles from more than a three dozen publishers (such as Alyson, Bella Books
Bella Books
Bella Books is a small press publisher of lesbian literature that is based in Tallahassee, Florida. The chief executive officer is Linda Hill, who is also the chief executive officer of Spinsters Ink and BeanPole Books....
, Bold Strokes Books
Bold Strokes Books
Bold Strokes Books is a United States publisher headquartered in Johnsonville, New York that specializes in lesbian-themed fiction, covering a variety of genres including action/adventure, erotica, mystery, romance and science fiction/horror, as well as general fiction...
, Carroll & Graf Publishers
Carroll & Graf Publishers
Carroll & Graf Publishers, an American publishing company centered in New York City, was an imprint of the Avalon Publishing Group,Publisher Kent Carroll, the editorial director of Grove Press from 1975 to 1981, co-founded Carroll & Graf in 1982...
, Copper Canyon Press
Copper Canyon Press
Copper Canyon Press is an independent, non-profit small press, specializing in the publication of poetry and located in the picturesque town of Port Townsend, Washington. Since 1972, the Press has published poetry exclusively and has established an international reputation for its commitment to...
, Farrar Straus Giroux, Haworth
Haworth
Haworth is a rural village in the City of Bradford metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. It is located amongst the Pennines, southwest of Keighley and west of Bradford. The surrounding areas include Oakworth and Oxenhope...
, Regal Crest Enterprises
Regal Crest Enterprises
Regal Crest Enterprises, established 1999, is the third largest small press publisher of lesbian literature in the world. RCE is based in Port Arthur, Texas. The chief executive officer is C. LeNoir....
, Spinsters Ink, and St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Press is a book publisher headquartered in the Flatiron Building in New York City. Currently, St. Martin's Press is one of the United States' largest publishers, bringing to the public some 700 titles a year under eight imprints, which include St. Martin's Press , St...
) were nominated for consideration.
Winners of all awards over the years can be found at the Golden Crown Literary Awards website: www.goldencrown.org.
GCLS "Goldie" Awards Categories - 2012
- ANTHOLOGY (Non-Erotica)
- DEBUT AUTHOR
- DRAMATIC/GENERAL FICTION
- HISTORICAL ROMANCE
- LESBIAN EROTICA
- MYSTERY/THRILLER
- PARANORMAL ROMANCE
- POETRY
- ROMANTIC SUSPENSE/INTRIGUE/ADVENTURE
- SHORT STORIES/ESSAYS/COLLECTIONS (Non-erotica)
- SPECULATIVE FICTION
- TRADITIONAL CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
In addition to the regular book awards, there are three special awards given:
- ANN BANNON POPULAR CHOICE AWARD
- DIRECTORS' AWARD
- TRAILBLAZER AWARD