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, 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 of 2021, Amanda Radley assumed the new role of managing director, serving until October of 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 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:
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