Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) is an American nonprofit organization established in 2004 for those with an interest in Sapphic literature. Since 2005, GCLS has at its annual conference presented Golden Crown Literary Awards (Goldies) to authors and editors in various categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and anthologies/collections, as well as for cover design and audiobook narration.

History

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. The five women who founded GCLS were on its original advisory board: Carrie Carr, Cathy LeNoir Bryerose, Lori L. Lake,

Radclyffe Radclyffe (real name Dr. Lenora Ruth Barot, born 1950) is an American author of lesbian romance, paranormal romance, erotica, and mystery. She has authored multiple short stories, written fan fiction, and edited numerous anthologies. Radclyffe i ...

, 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). 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. 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 Zoom may refer to: Technology Computing * Zoom (software), videoconferencing application * Page zooming, the ability to magnify or shrink a portion of a page on a computer display * Zooming user interface, a graphical interface allowing for image ...

to cover LGBTQ topics, complementing regional events organized by GCLS that offered in-person panels, book sales and author signings.

Conferences

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 Andrea Jenkins (born May 10, 1961) is an American politician, writer, performance artist, poet, and transgender activist. She is known for being the first black openly transgender woman elected to public office in the United States, serving sin ...

* 2023 - Denver, CO. Keynote: Lynn Ames * 2022 - Albuquerque, NM. Keynote: Sheree Greer * 2021 - Virtual Conference. Speakers:

Emma Donoghue Emma Donoghue (born 24 October 1969) is an Irish-Canadian playwright, literary historian, novelist, and screenwriter. Her 2010 novel ''Room'' was a finalist for the Booker Prize and an international best-seller. Donoghue's 1995 novel ''Hood'' w ...

; S. Renee Bess * 2020 - Virtual Conference. Speakers: None * 2019 - Pittsburgh, PA. Keynote:

Malinda Lo Malinda Lo is an American writer of young adult novels including ''Ash'', ''Huntress'', ''Adaptation'', ''Inheritance,'' ''A Line in the Dark'', and '' Last Night at the Telegraph Club''. She also does research on diversity in young adult literat ...

; Speaker: Cindy Rizzo * 2018 - Las Vegas, NV. Keynote:

Lucy Jane Bledsoe Lucy Jane Bledsoe (born February 1, 1957 in Portland, Oregon, United States) is a novelist who has received many awards for her fiction, including two National Science Foundation Artists & Writers Fellowships, a California Arts Council Fellowship ...

; Speaker: Rachel Gold * 2017 - Chicago, IL. Keynote: Leslea Newman; Speaker

Penny Mickelbury Penny Mickelbury (born May 31, 1948) is an African-American playwright, short story writer, mystery series writer, and historical novelist who worked as a print and television journalist for ten years before concentrating on fiction writing. Afte ...

* 2016 - Alexandria, VA. / Washington DC. Keynote: Fay Jacobs; Speaker: Rachel Spangler * 2015 - New Orleans, LA. Keynote:

Dorothy Allison Dorothy Allison (born April 11, 1949) is an American writer from South Carolina whose writing focuses on class struggle, sexual abuse, child abuse, feminism and lesbianism. She is a self-identified lesbian femme. Allison has won a number of a ...

; Speaker:

Ali Vali Ali Vali (Persian: علی والی, born 19 October 1950) is a retired Iranian heavyweight weightlifter who won gold medals at the 1971 Asian Championships and 1974 Asian Games. He also competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics Events Janua ...

* 2014 - Portland, OR. Keynote: Lori L. Lake; Speaker:

Ann Bannon Ann Weldy (born September 15, 1932), better known by her pen name Ann 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 impac ...

* 2013 - Dallas, TX. Keynote:

Georgia Beers Georgia Beers is an American writer of lesbian romance. Her novel ''Fresh Tracks'' won the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Romance. Her novels have won 13 of the Golden Crown Literary Society's Goldie Awards, including six awards for romance, ...

; Speaker: Carsen Taite * 2012 - Minneapolis, MN. Keynote:

Jewelle Gomez Jewelle Gomez (born September 11, 1948) is an American author, poet, critic and playwright. She lived in New York City for 22 years, working in public television, theater, as well as philanthropy, before relocating to the West Coast. Her writing� ...

* 2011 - Orlando, FL. Keynote:

KG MacGregor KG MacGregor (aka Sue A. Greer, born October 22, 1955) is an American writer of lesbian fiction. She has authored over two dozen lesbian romance novels, collecting a Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Romance and nine Goldie Awards from the Golde ...

* 2010 - Orlando, FL. Keynote: Lee Lynch * 2009 - Orlando, FL. Keynote:

J.M. Redmann Jean M. Redmann (born June 9, 1955 in Mississippi, US), known professionally as J. M. Redmann and R. Jean Reid, is an American novelist best known for her Micky Knight mystery series, which has won the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery th ...

* 2008 - Phoenix, AZ. Keynote:

Katherine V. Forrest Katherine V. Forrest (born 1939) is a Canadian-born American writer, best known for her novels about lesbian police detective Kate Delafield. Her books have won and been finalists for Lambda Literary Award twelve times, as well as other awards. ...

* 2007 - Atlanta, GA. Keynote:

Ellen Hart Ellen Hart (born August 10, 1949) is the award-winning mystery author of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenway series. Born in Maine, she was a professional chef for 14 years. Hart's mysteries include culinary elements similar to those of Diane M ...

* 2006 - Atlanta, GA. Keynote: Ann Bannon * 2005 - New Orleans, LA. Keynote:

Karin Kallmaker Karin Kallmaker (born 1960) is an 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. Dubbed the ...

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 Lesbian literature is a subgenre of literature addressing lesbian themes. It includes poetry, plays, fiction addressing lesbian characters, and non-fiction about lesbian-interest topics. Fiction that falls into this category may be of any genr ...

. The Lee Lynch Classic Award was added in 2012 to recognize books with influential historical value. Past winners include: * 2024 - Trailblazer Award: Lesléa Newman; Lee Lynch Classic: ''

Desert of the Heart ''Desert of the Heart'' is a 1964 novel written by Jane Rule. The story was adapted into the 1985 film ''Desert Hearts'', directed by Donna Deitch. The book was originally published in hardback by Macmillan Canada. It was one of the very few novel ...

'' by

Jane Rule Jane Vance Rule (28 March 1931 – 27 November 2007) was a Canadian writer of lesbian-themed works. Her first novel, ''Desert of the Heart'', appeared in 1964, when gay activity was still a criminal offence. It turned Rule into a reluctant m ...

* 2023 - Trailblazer Award:

Alison Bechdel Alison Bechdel ( ; born September 10, 1960) is an American cartoonist. Originally known for the long-running comic strip ''Dykes to Watch Out For'', she came to critical and commercial success in 2006 with her graphic memoir ''Fun Home'', which ...

; Lee Lynch Classic: '' Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology'' edited by

Barbara Smith Barbara Smith (born November 16, 1946) is an American lesbian feminist and socialist who has played a significant role in Black feminism in the United States. Since the early 1970s, she has been active as a scholar, activist, critic, lecturer, au ...

* 2022 - Trailblazer Award:

Elana Dykewomon Elana Dykewomon (; October 11, 1949 – August 7, 2022) was an American lesbian activist, author, editor, and teacher. She was a recipient of the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction. Early life and education Dykewomon was born Elana Mich ...

; Lee Lynch Classic: ''

Patience and Sarah ''Patience and Sarah'' is a 1969 historical fiction novel with strong lesbian themes by Alma Routsong, using the pen name Isabel Miller. It was originally self-published under the title ''A Place for Us'' and eventually found a publisher as ...

'' by

Isabel Miller Alma Routsong (November 26, 1924 – October 4, 1996) was an American novelist best known for her lesbian fiction, published under the pen name Isabel Miller. Early life Alma Routsong was born Elma Louise Routsong in Traverse City, Michigan, on ...

* 2021 - Trailblazer Award:

Pat Parker Pat Parker (born Patricia Cooks; January 20, 1944June 17, 1989) was an American poet and activist. Both her poetry and her activism drew from her experiences as an African-American lesbian Feminism, feminist.Pat Parker. Contemporary Authors On ...

; Lee Lynch Classic: '' Zami: A New Spelling of My Name'' by

Audre Lorde Audre Lorde (; born Audrey Geraldine Lorde; February 18, 1934 – November 17, 1992) was an American writer, womanist, radical feminist, professor, and civil rights activist. She was a self-described "black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet," who ...

* 2020 - Trailblazer Award: Barbara Wilson; Lee Lynch Classic: ''

The Wanderground ''The Wanderground'' is a speculative fiction novel by Sally Miller Gearhart, published in 1978 by Persephone Press. It is Gearhart's first and most famous novel, and continues to be used in women's studies classes as a characteristic example o ...

: Stories of the Hill Women'' by

Sally Miller Gearhart Sally Miller Gearhart (April 15, 1931 – July 14, 2021) was an American teacher, feminist, science-fiction writer, and political activist. In 1973, she became the first open lesbian to obtain a tenure-track faculty position when she was hire ...

* 2019 - Trailblazer Award:

Sandra Scoppettone Sandra Scoppettone (born June 1, 1936, Morristown, New Jersey)Day, Frances Ann (2000). Lesbian and gay voices: An annotated bibliography and guide to literature for children and young adults. Greenwood Press. is an American author whose career spa ...

; Lee Lynch Classic: '' Loving Her'' by

Ann Allen Shockley Ann Allen Shockley (born June 21, 1927) is an American journalist and author, specialising in themes of interracial lesbian love, especially the plight of black lesbians living under what she views as the ‘triple oppression’ of racism, sexism ...

* 2018 - Trailblazer Award:

; Lee Lynch Classic: ''Riverfinger Women'' by Elana Dykewomon * 2017 - Trailblazer Award:

Lillian Faderman Lillian Faderman (born July 18, 1940) is an American historian whose books on lesbian history and LGBT history have earned critical praise and awards. ''The New York Times'' named three of her books on its "Notable Books of the Year" list. In addi ...

; Lee Lynch Classic: ''

Heather Has Two Mommies First published in 1989, ''Heather Has Two Mommies'' is a children's book written by Lesléa Newman with illustrations by Diana Souza. This story was one of the first pieces of LGBTQ children's literature to garner broad attention. While the bo ...

'' by Leslea Newman * 2016 - Trailblazer Award:

; Lee Lynch Classic: ''Curious Wine'' by Katherine V. Forrest * 2015 - Trailblazer Award:

Joan Nestle Joan Nestle (born May 12, 1940) is a Lambda Award winning writer and editor and a founder of the Lesbian Herstory Archives, which holds, among other things, everything she has ever written. She is openly lesbian and sees her work of archiving hi ...

; Lee Lynch Classic: ''

Rubyfruit Jungle ''Rubyfruit Jungle'' is the first novel by Rita Mae Brown. Published in 1973, it was remarkable in its day for its explicit portrayal of lesbianism. The novel is a coming-of-age autobiographical account of Brown's youth and emergence as a lesbia ...

'' by

Rita Mae Brown Rita Mae Brown (born November 28, 1944) is an American feminist writer, best known for her coming-of-age autobiographical novel, ''Rubyfruit Jungle''. Brown was active in a number of civil rights campaigns and criticized the marginalization of le ...

* 2014 - Trailblazer Award:

Judy Grahn Judy Grahn (born July 28, 1940) is an American poet and author. Inspired by her experiences of disenfranchisement as a butch lesbian, she became a feminist poet, highly-regarded in underground circles before achieving public fame. A major influe ...

; Lee Lynch Classic: '' Annie on My Mind'',

Nancy Garden Nancy Garden (May 15, 1938 – June 23, 2014) was an American writer of fiction for children and young adults, best known for the lesbian novel '' Annie on My Mind''. She received the 2003 Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Associa ...

* 2013 - Trailblazer Award:

Marijane Meaker Marijane Agnes Meaker (May 27, 1927 – November 21, 2022) was an American writer who, along with Tereska Torres, was credited with launching the lesbian pulp fiction genre, the only accessible novels on that theme in the 1950s. Under the name ...

; Lee Lynch Classic: ''

Spring Fire ''Spring Fire'', is a 1952 paperback novel written by Marijane Meaker, under the pseudonym "Vin Packer". It is the first lesbian paperback novel, and the beginning of the lesbian pulp fiction genre; it also addresses issues of conformity in 1950 ...

'' by Marijane Meaker writing as Vin Packer * 2012 - Trailblazer Award: Marianne K. Martin; Lee Lynch Classic: ''

Swashbuckler A swashbuckler is a genre of European adventure literature that focuses on a heroic protagonist stock character who is skilled in swordsmanship, acrobatics, guile and possesses chivalrous ideals. A "swashbuckler" protagonist is heroic, daring, ...

'' by Lee Lynch * 2011 - Trailblazer Award: Karin Kallmaker * 2010 - Trailblazer Award: Ellen Hart * 2009 - Trailblazer Award: Lee Lynch * 2008 - Trailblazer Award: Katherine V. Forrest * 2007 - Trailblazer Award: Jane Rule * 2006 - Trailblazer Award:

Sarah Aldridge Anyda Marchant (January 27, 1911 – January 11, 2006) was a lawyer (she was one of the first women to pass the Bar in Washington D.C.) and a founding partner of Naiad Press and A&M Books. She was also an author of primarily lesbian fiction, for ...

* 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 Jacob Anderson-Minshall (born September 14, 1967) is an American author. Early life and education Assigned as female at birth, Anderson-Minshall was raised Catholic on a farm outside of Inkom, Idaho. He cites his mother's influence in social ...

the first openly transgender author to win. He shared the award with

Diane Anderson-Minshall Diane Anderson-Minshall (born March 19, 1968) is an American journalist and author best known for writing about lesbian, gay ''Gay'' is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term origi ...

for ''Queerly Beloved: A Love Story Across Genders.'' 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.

Goldie Awards

The Goldies have expanded from four judged categories in 2005 to 11 in 2013 to 16 in 2024, along with two popular choice awards. In recent years, Goldie entries have been submitted by large publishers (e.g.,

Farrar Straus Giroux Farrar, Straus and Giroux (FSG) is an American book publishing company, founded in 1946 by Roger Williams Straus Jr. and John C. Farrar. FSG is known for publishing literary books, and its authors have won numerous awards, including Pulitzer ...

Hatchette Book Group Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a publishing company owned by Hachette Livre, the largest publishing company in France, and the third largest trade and educational publisher in the world. Hachette Livre is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lagardère Grou ...

, Macmillian Publishers,

St. Martin's Press St. Martin's Press is a book publisher headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, in the Equitable Building. St. Martin's Press is considered one of the largest English-language publishers, bringing to the public some 700 titles a year under si ...

and

Tantor Media RBMedia is an audiobook publishing company with sales globally. It claims to be the largest audiobook publisher in the world. It was founded in 2017 through the acquisitions of independent audiobook companies. The companies, which now operate as ...

), mid-size publishers (e.g.,

Bold Strokes Books Bold Strokes Books is a midsized independent publisher headquartered in Cambridge, New York that offers a diverse collection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer general and genre fiction. Their list includes romance, mystery/intri ...

and

Skyhorse Publishing Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. is an American independent book publishing company founded in 2006 and headquartered in New York City, with a satellite office in Brattleboro, Vermont. History The current president and publisher is founder Tony Lyo ...

small press A small press is a publisher with annual sales below a certain level or below a certain number of titles published. The terms "indie publisher" and "independent press" and others are sometimes used interchangeably. Independent press is general ...

publishers (e.g., Aesculus Books, Bedazzled Ink,

Bella Books Bella Books is a small press publisher of lesbian literature based in Tallahassee, Florida. History Kelly Smith, along with other investors, created the corporation in Michigan in 1999 as an outgrowth of Smith's long relationship with ''A Woma ...

, Blue Feather Books, Brisk Press, Bywater Books,

Copper Canyon Press Copper Canyon Press is an independent, non-profit small press, founded in 1972 specializing exclusively in the publication of poetry. It is located in Port Townsend, Washington. Copper Canyon Press publishes new collections of poetry by both popu ...

, Desert Palm Press, Flashpoint Publications,

Launch Point Press Launch Point Press is a small press publisher of lesbian literature based in Portland, Oregon. History Launch Point Press (LPP) is a lesbian-oriented press with the goal of publishing quality works by newer authors just “launching” their car ...

, Midnight Ink, Sapphfic Publishing, Sapphire Books,

Spinsters Ink Founded in Upstate New York in 1978 by Maureen Brady and Judith McDaniel, Spinsters Ink is one of the oldest lesbian feminist publishers in the world. It is currently owned by publisher Linda Hill, who purchased the Spinsters Ink in 2005.Press R ...

, Regal Crest and Ylva Publishing),

university press A university press is an academic publishing house specializing in monographs and scholarly journals. Most are nonprofit organizations and an integral component of a large research university. They publish work that has been reviewed by scholars ...

houses and

self-publishing Self-publishing is the publication of media by its author at their own cost, without the involvement of a publisher. The term usually refers to written media, such as books and magazines, either as an ebook or as a physical copy using POD (pr ...

enterprises. Named after “the queen of lesbian pulp fiction,” the Ann Bannon 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," the

Tee Corinne Tee A. Corinne (November 3, 1943 – August 27, 2006) was an American photographer, author, and editor notable for the portrayal of sexuality in her artwork. According to ''Completely Queer: The Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia'', "Corinne is one of ...

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 and Suzanne Moss from England, Jae from Germany and E.J. Noyes from New Zealand. Other international winners in 2023 included Jo Havens and Lianyu Tan (Australia), Arlene Pare (Canada), Rachel Sommers (England), J.J. Hale (Ireland) and G. Benson (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.

Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award: 2007 to 2023 winners

* 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 Jessie Chandler (born August 16, 1968) is an American author of mystery and humorous caper fiction, most of which is about lesbian protagonists. Her work includes the Shay O'Hanlon Caper Series, many short stories, and other novels. Chandler has ...

(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 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) * 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. 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:

References

{{Reflist Lesbian fiction LGBT literary awards LGBT literature in the United States Organizations established in 2004 2004 establishments in the United States