Golden Crown Literary Society

The Golden Crown Literary Society was established in 2004 as a response to lesbian presses and authors being ignored by other awarding agencies. By its third annual conference in 2007 in Atlanta, participants had grown from 30 to nearly 300.^[1]

The five women who founded GCLS were on its original advisory board: Carrie Carr, Cathy LeNoir Bryerose, Lori L. Lake, Radclyffe, and Kathy L. Smith. In 2006, Bryerose became the first executive director, followed by Smith (2007 to 2008), Patty Schramm (2009 to 2013), Liz Gibson (2013 to 2016), Mary Phillips (2016 to 2021) and Ann Roberts (2021).^[2]

In September 2021, Amanda Radley assumed the new role of managing director, serving until October 2022. Currently, GCLS has no executive or managing director and is led by a four-person executive committee composed of the organization's president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary.^[3]

Since 2005, GCLS has held an annual conference at which Goldies are presented in categories of Sapphic literature. In 2014, a writing academy was opened for new and upcoming authors, including one-on-one mentoring and in-class instruction. In 2017, the GCLS board added a director of inclusion to emphasize diversity. In 2021, a free, virtual series was launched via Zoom to cover LGBTQ topics, complementing regional events organized by GCLS that offered in-person panels, book sales and author signings.

The annual conference is GCLS's main in-person event for those with an interest in Sapphic literature and LGBTQ issues. Programming includes presentations by panelists and individuals, workshops and other classes, author readings and signings, and structured and informal opportunities for attendees to engage with each other.

Speakers

In addition to conference programming, keynote and special speakers discuss topics of interest to LGBTQ and other attendees. Past speakers include:

• 2024 - Saint Paul, MN. Keynote: Andrea Jenkins
• 2023 - Denver, CO. Keynote: Lynn Ames
• 2022 - Albuquerque, NM. Keynote: Sheree Greer
• 2021 - Virtual Conference. Speakers: Emma Donoghue; S. Renee Bess
• 2020 - Virtual Conference. Speakers: None
• 2019 - Pittsburgh, PA. Keynote: Malinda Lo; Speaker: Cindy Rizzo
• 2018 - Las Vegas, NV. Keynote: Lucy Jane Bledsoe; Speaker: Rachel Gold
• 2017 - Chicago, IL. Keynote: Leslea Newman; Speaker Penny Mickelbury
• 2016 - Alexandria, VA. / Washington DC. Keynote: Fay Jacobs; Speaker: Rachel Spangler
• 2015 - New Orleans, LA. Keynote: Dorothy Allison; Speaker: Ali Vali
• 2014 - Portland, OR. Keynote: Lori L. Lake; Speaker: Ann Bannon
• 2013 - Dallas, TX. Keynote: Georgia Beers; Speaker: Carsen Taite
• 2012 - Minneapolis, MN. Keynote: Jewelle Gomez
• 2011 - Orlando, FL. Keynote: KG MacGregor
• 2010 - Orlando, FL. Keynote: Lee Lynch
• 2009 - Orlando, FL. Keynote: J.M. Redmann
• 2008 - Phoenix, AZ. Keynote: Katherine V. Forrest
• 2007 - Atlanta, GA.  Keynote: Ellen Hart
• 2006 - Atlanta, GA. Keynote: Ann Bannon
• 2005 - New Orleans, LA. Keynote: Karin Kallmaker

Trailblazer Award and Lee Lynch Classic Award

The Trailblazer Award has been given at the annual conference since 2005 to a lesbian writer for contributions to lesbian literature. The Lee Lynch Classic Award was added in 2012 to recognize books with influential historical value.^[4] Past winners include:

• 2024 - Trailblazer Award: Lesléa Newman; Lee Lynch Classic: Desert of the Heart by Jane Rule
• 2023 - Trailblazer Award: Alison Bechdel; Lee Lynch Classic: Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology edited by Barbara Smith
• 2022 - Trailblazer Award: Elana Dykewomon; Lee Lynch Classic: Patience and Sarah by Isabel Miller
• 2021 - Trailblazer Award: Pat Parker; Lee Lynch Classic: Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde^[5]
• 2020 - Trailblazer Award: Barbara Wilson; Lee Lynch Classic: The Wanderground: Stories of the Hill Women by Sally Miller Gearhart
• 2019 - Trailblazer Award: Sandra Scoppettone; Lee Lynch Classic: Loving Her by Ann Allen Shockley
• 2018 - Trailblazer Award: Dorothy Allison; Lee Lynch Classic: Riverfinger Women by Elana Dykewomon^[6]
• 2017 - Trailblazer Award: Lillian Faderman; Lee Lynch Classic: Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman^[7]
• 2016 - Trailblazer Award: Jewelle Gomez; Lee Lynch Classic: Curious Wine by Katherine V. Forrest^[8]
• 2015 - Trailblazer Award: Joan Nestle; Lee Lynch Classic: Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown^[9]
• 2014 - Trailblazer Award: Judy Grahn; Lee Lynch Classic: Annie on My Mind, Nancy Garden
• 2013 - Trailblazer Award: Marijane Meaker; Lee Lynch Classic: Spring Fire by Marijane Meaker writing as Vin Packer
• 2012 - Trailblazer Award: Marianne K. Martin; Lee Lynch Classic: Swashbuckler by Lee Lynch^[10]
• 2011 - Trailblazer Award: Karin Kallmaker
• 2010 - Trailblazer Award: Ellen Hart^[11]
• 2009 - Trailblazer Award: Lee Lynch
• 2008 - Trailblazer Award: Katherine V. Forrest
• 2007 - Trailblazer Award: Jane Rule
• 2006 - Trailblazer Award: Sarah Aldridge
• 2005 - Trailblazer Award: Ann Bannon

Called "a night to remember" by The Advocate, trailblazers Lee Lynch and Dorothy Allison and Lee Lynch Classic winner Rita Mae Brown shared a stage for the first time at the 2015 Goldies ceremony. Also that night, Geonn Cannon became the first male writer to win two Goldies and Jacob Anderson-Minshall the first openly transgender author to win. He shared the award with Diane Anderson-Minshall for Queerly Beloved: A Love Story Across Genders.^[12]

The 2019 Goldies ceremony included the world premiere of the feature-length documentary In Her Words: 20th Century Lesbian Fiction. Co-directed by Lisa Marie Evans and Trailblazer Marianne K. Martin, the film explores and preserves the documents that dominated lesbian-themed literature in the 20th century.^[13]

The Goldies have expanded from four judged categories in 2005 to 11 in 2013^[14] to 17 in 2023, along with two popular choice awards.

In recent years, Goldie entries have been submitted by large publishers (e.g., Farrar Straus Giroux, St. Martin's Press and Tantor Media), mid-size publishers (e.g., Bold Strokes Books and Skyhorse Publishing), small press publishers (e.g., Aesculus Books, Bedazzled Ink, Bella Books, Blue Feather Books, Brisk Press, Bywater Books, Copper Canyon Press, Desert Palm Press, Flashpoint Publications, Launch Point Press, Midnight Ink, Sapphfic Publishing, Sapphire Books, Spinsters Ink, Regal Crest and Ylva Publishing), university press houses and self-publishing enterprises.^[15]

Named after “the queen of lesbian pulp fiction,”^[16] the Ann Bannon^[17] Popular Choice Award was established in 2007. Currently, Ann Bannon awards recognize three books rated by judges as being of highest quality, and then by popular vote as favorites among the books determined by judges to be finalists.

Established in 2015 to honor "one of the most visible and accessible lesbian artists in the world,"^[18] the Tee Corinne^[19] Award for Outstanding Cover Design recognizes one book chosen as the favorite after two rounds of popular voting. Voters are encouraged to consider not only the cover but also typography, layout of printed words and how visual elements are arranged.

Recent winners demonstrate the international reach of the Goldies. In 2023, all four winners of the Ann Bannon and Tee Corrine awards were from outside the United States – Emily Banting^[20] and Suzanne Moss^[21] from England, Jae from Germany and E.J. Noyes^[22] from New Zealand. Other international winners in 2023 included Jo Havens^[23] and Lianyu Tan^[24] (Australia), Arlene Pare (Canada), Rachel Sommers^[25] (England), J.J. Hale^[26] (Ireland) and G. Benson^[27] (Spain).

A five-year restricted grant of $500,000 from the Aronson-Besthoff Fund of the Greater New Orleans Foundation rendered Goldie winners eligible for prize money. In 2023, Ann Bannon winners received $3,000 for first place (gold), $2,000 for second place (silver) and $1,000 for third place (bronze). In 2024, Ann Bannon prizes will be $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000.^[28]

Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award: 2007 to 2023 winners

• 2023 – Gold: If I Don’t Ask by E.J. Noyes (Bella Books);^[29] Silver: Just a Touch Away by Jae (Ylva Publishing);^[30] Bronze: Broken Beyond Repair by Emily Banting (Sapphfic Publishing)^[31]
• 2022 –The Headmistress by Milena McKay (Self-Published)^[32]
• 2021 – Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae (Ylva Publishing)^[33]
• 2020 – Judge Me When I'm Wrong by Cheryl A. Head (Bywater Books)^[34]
• 2019 – A Proper Cuppa Tea by KG MacGregor (Bella Books)^[35]
• 2018 – An Outsider Inside by RJ Samuel (Self-Published) ^[36]
• 2017 – Rainbow Gap by Lee Lynch (Bold Strokes Books)^[37]
• 2016 – All We Lack by Sandra Moran (Bedazzled Ink Publishing)^[38]
• 2015 – Olive Oil & White Bread by Georgia Beers (Bywater Books)^[39]
• 2014 – TIE: All That Lies Within by Lynn Ames (Phoenix Rising Press);^[40] Letters Never Sent by Sandra Moran (Bedazzled Ink Publishing)^[41]
• 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)^[42]
• 2010 – Beggar of Love by Lee Lynch (Bold Stroke Books)
• 2009 –The Kiss That Counted by Karin Kallmaker (Bella Books)^[43]
• 2008 – And Playing The Role of Herself by K. E. Lane (Regal Crest)^[44]
• 2007 – Snow Moon Rising by Lori L. Lake (Regal Crest)^[45]

Tee Corinne Award for Outstanding Cover Design: 2015 to 2023 winners

• 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)^[46]
• 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)

Judged category winners and cash awards: 2023

In 2023, prizes of $1,000 went to top-scoring books in 12 genre-specific novel categories, three non-novel categories and the Debut Novel competition.^[47]

Volunteer judges evaluated books on a 1-to10-point quantitative scale, rating each on criteria set out in a comprehensive evaluation form. Criteria for novels, for example, included opening, premise, plot, characters, writing, setting, and reader impact. Judges' scores were tallied, and finalists, winners and top-scoring books determined.

Judged category winners in 2023 are listed below, with monetary prize winners shown in bold: