Mary's World

It was a beautiful night in Minneapolis with the butches and bois handsome in their finery and the femmes and grrls dazzling in theirs. Jewelle Gomez sat beside me and we laughed and cried and clapped for all the wonderful books and authors.

The evening started by remembering our lost sisters. Since the last conference, Rosemary Curb, Sarah Dreher, Adrienne Rich, Barbara Grier and Akilah Oliver left us. Keeping with the theme of the conference of honoring our literary freedom fighters, it was fitting to spend some time thinking of the women who left such signs for us to follow.

My novel was up for two awards in categories that were chock full of terrific books. While I didn't win, I am so honored to have been a finalist for my first book!

The highlight of the evening were two of the specific Goldie awards - the Trailblazer Award went to Marianne K Martin. I know of her as an author and publisher and editor. It was her editorial advice I followed to improved Unbroken Circle for publication. What I didn't know was that she blazed a trail for women coaches by taking her high school to court when they refused to pay her for coaching basketball and softball, while they were paying the male coaches. That landmark case helped ensure that both women's sports and women coaches would be taken seriously.

The Director's Award went to Lori L Lake. She was a founding mother of the Golden Crown Literary Society and served for over 7 years on the Board.

The newest award was for books that pre-date the Goldies (2004) but have stood the test of time. The first winner and the woman for whom the award is named is Lee Lynch for Swashbuckler. It was so fabulous to get a butch hug from her afterwards!
2012 GCLS Goldie Award winners

Debut Author Award

After the Fall by Robin Summers
Open Water by Pol Robinson
Waiting in the Wings by Melissa Brayden

Dramatic/General Fiction Award

Marching to a Different Accordion by Saxon Bennett
Maye's Request by Clifford Henderson
Shaken and Stirred by Joan Opyr

Historical Romance Award

Hidden Truths by Jae

Lesbian Erotica Award

A Ride to Remember and Other Erotic Tales by Sacchi Green
The Collectors by Lesley Gowan (Anne Laughlin)

Mystery/Thriller Award

Beyond Instinct by Lynn Ames
Buyer's Remorse: Book 1 in the Public Eye Series by Lori Lake
Hell's Highway by Gerri Hill

Paranormal Romance Award

Before the Dawn by Kate Sweeney
Blood Hunt by L. L. Raand

Poetry Award

Head Off and Split by Nikki Finney
Things I Say To Pirates On Nights When I Miss You by Keely Hyslop

Romantic Suspense/Intrigue/Adventure Award

Dying To Live by Kim Baldwin & Xenia Alexiou
Nothing But The Truth by Carsen Taite
Tats by Layce Gardner

Short Stories/Essays/Collections (Non-Erotica) Award

When We Were Outlaws by Jeanne Cordova

Speculative Fiction Award

After The Fall by Robin Summers
The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer
When An Echo Returns by Linda Kay Silva

Traditional Contemporary Romance Award

96 Hours by Georgia Beers
Camptown Ladies by Mari San Giovanni
Waiting in the Wings by Melissa Brayden

Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award

Bingo Barge Murder by Jessie Chandler

Director's Award - Lori Lake

The Lee Lynch Classics Award - The Swashbuckler by Lee Lynch.

The Trailblazer Award - Marianne K Martin