9th Annual GCLS Literary Conference plus Goldies (part 1 of 2)
The 9th Annual Golden Crown Literary SocietyLiterary Conference is pretty much over and it has been a wonderful experience.
MISSION: The Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) is an educational organization whose mission is for the enjoyment, discussion, and enhancement of lesbian literature and creative non-fiction. Our goals are to support and strengthen quality lesbian writing by providing places for readers and writers to interact; to encourage and assist new writers and established authors to develop their craft; and to recognize and promote lesbian work.
Being able to spend four days hanging out with readers and writers and lovers of lesbian fiction is the highlight of my year and I can’t recommend attending this event enough.
I was able to share about my own work as well as sit at the feet of the masters as they talked about ways to improve my craft and getting my work into the hands of readers. I learned a lot and laughed even more. Heck, I did so much hugging I think the Con T-shirt should read, “Embrace Your Favorite Author!”
Check out the schedule for all the fun and interesting things that were offered to attendees and start saving your money now for July 9 -13, 2014 in Portland, OR - the site of the 2014 GCLS Conference.
On Saturday night, the Goldie Awards Reception, Ceremony and Dance was held. Everyone was glittering in their finery - butches in tuxes and ties, femme’s in gorgeous dresses and a few folks in the new style (popularized by Ann McMan and Jessie Chandler of dressing up on top and ready to party down below).
We started by honoring the sisters we lost since the last conference - Julie Penelope, Jovette Maechessault, Gerda Lerner, Roxanne Jones, Jeanne Manford and Nancy Spry.
Here is a list of the Winners and Presenters (the full listing of finalists can be found here).
Anthology (Non Erotica): Lori Lake and Ann McMan, presenters.
Winners: Women of the Dark Streets, Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman, eds and OMG Queer, Radclyffe and Katherine Lynch, eds.
Debut Author Award: presenters KG MacGregor and Karin Kallmaker. Winners: Lemon Reef by Robin Silverman; The Furthest City Light byJeanne Winer; Art on Fire by Hillary Sloin
Dramatic/General Fiction: Presenters Bev Prescott and MJ Williamz. Winners: Raven’s Heart by Jesse Blackadder; Being Emily by Rachel Gold;
The Raid by Lee Lynch
Historical Fiction: Presenters Georgia Beers and Mary Lou Heintz. Winners: Awake Unto Me by Kathleen Knowles and The Last Nude by Ellis Avery
Lesbian Erotica: Presenters Kenna White and Cheyne Curry.
Winners: The Night Off by Meghan O’Brien; Initiation by Desire by MJ Williamz and Girls Who Score: Hot Lesbian Erotica by Ily Goyanes