Awards Guidelines
Nominations for the 2024 GCLS Literary Awards (a.k.a. The Goldies) are open. Please read all of these guidelines carefully prior to submitting nominations.
Should a question arise not addressed in these guidelines, the GCLS Awards Administrators are appointed by the Board of Directors and empowered to make a final ruling on issues that arises during the awards process. Any rulings made after the nomination period opens will become addendums to these guidelines and be published here.
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Instructions
When submitting nominations, you will be required to provide your own contact information in addition to the following:
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Title of the book/audiobook (as it appears on the cover)
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Author's/Narrator's full name (as it appears on the cover)
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Publication/Release date (mm/dd/yyyy or mm/yyyy)
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Word count (for specified categories)
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Author's/Narrator's email address
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Author's/Narrator's mailing address
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Name of Publisher
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Publisher's email address
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Publisher's mailing address
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If submitting eBooks, you'll need 3 versions - .epub, .mobi/.prc, .pdf. (These must be DRM-free so that all judges in a category can access them. We suggest watermarking the eBooks with "Review Copy" or something similar.) - Books are not required for Debut Novel, Ann Bannon, and Tee Corinne.
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If submitting audiobooks, you'll need to either identify the audiobook publisher (Tantor or Audible) OR provide DRM-free .mp3/.mp4 files.
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A high-resolution .jpg/.jpeg file of the cover image.
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For Tee Corinne - Cover Artist's full name (as it appears in the book)
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For Tee Corinne - Cover Artist's email address
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For Tee Corinne - A high-resolution .jpg/.jpeg file of the full cover image (including front, back, and spine).
Please take the time to read through all the sections below before nominating a book.
Eligibility for Awards
The information below provides details regarding a book's eligibility for the Goldie Awards. Please read this information carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the Awards Administrators before submitting your nominations.
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Content must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
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The book should contain a main character who is a woman or nonbinary person who identifies as lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, Two-Spirit, sapphic, homo/bi/pan-romantic asexual, and/or queer. If the book contains a primary romantic arc, it should feature a woman or sapphically aligned nonbinary person paired with a woman or sapphically aligned nonbinary person. Gender and sexuality are subjective and personal, and not all nonbinary people are woman-aligned or identify as sapphic for their attraction to women. Only those characters who do should be considered. For the purposes of these awards and all our programs and activities, we assert unequivocally that trans women are women.
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The book must be readily available (i.e., bookstores or online) for purchase in the United States. Please note: For sale online is considered "readily available."
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If the book is pulled from publication at any point during the awards process - from the publication date up to and including the date of the awards presentation - the book will be reviewed and may be considered for ineligibility.
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The book must have a publishing date between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, inclusive. For Audiobook Narrator Award, publication date refers to the release date of the audiobook, not the source material.
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The book copies submitted in the nomination process must be in one of the following formats: hardcover, softcover (paperback), or eBook (electronic book). For eBook submissions, all of the following formats must be submitted: .epub, .pdf, and .mobi/.prc. Only one copy of each eBook version is necessary. For Audiobook Narrator Award, copies must be submitted in a single mp3 or mp4 file inclusive of the entire work. For works released by Tantor or Audible Studios, files will be obtained directly from the audiobook publisher.
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Self-published books are eligible.
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The book must be a First Edition and published in English. For Audiobook Narrator Award, this refers to the performance, not the source material. As an example, a performance of Curious Wine would be accepted if that was a new performance released in 2023.
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Reprints or releases of a book in another delivery format (i.e., hardcover, paperback, or eBook) of previously published books are not eligible. This includes a reprint of an audiobook previously released.
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Subsequent editions (i.e., 2nd, 3rd, etc.) are not eligible, regardless of the addition or omission of material. For Audiobook Narrator Award, a new edition with a new recording IS eligible. As an example, Jane Smith performed Curious Wine and released it in 2016. If Sally Smith makes a new performance of Curious Wine in 2023, it is eligible for an award.
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Anyone, including the general public, is invited to nominate an eligible title(s).
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No book shall be eligible for an award in more than one category; except as follows:
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Books nominated in a "genre" category can also be nominated for the Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award; and,
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Covers for books nominated in a "genre" category can also be nominated for the Tee Corinne Award; and,
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Audiobook narration for books nominated in a “genre” category can also be nominated for the Audiobook Narrator Award; and,
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An author's debut novel may also be nominated for the Debut Novel Award.
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Please note: To be eligible for the Debut Novel, Ann Bannon, and Tee Corinne awards, books must be entered in a “genre” category.
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Books nominated must meet these length requirements:
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Anthologies/collections – a minimum of three individual pieces totaling at least 40,000 words
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Novels – a minimum of 40,000 words
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Non-Fiction books – a minimum of 40,000 words
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Poetry – submissions must be at least 48 pages long, and at least 50 percent “new” poems
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Audiobook Narrator Award – source material a minimum of 40,000 words
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The decision of the Golden Crown Literary Society's Awards Administrator(s) as to the eligibility of any book shall be final and no correspondence shall be entered into in relation to eligibility.
Award Categories & Judging Guidlines
I. AUDIOBOOK
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category has no genre restrictions, meaning audiobooks of all GCLS categories – Fiction Novels, Fiction Anthologies/Collections, Nonfiction, and/or Poetry – are eligible. Source material of audiobooks can be published in any year, but the audiobook version must have been released during the current Goldie Awards cycle. Moreover, audiobooks must be based on works meeting Goldie requirements for length: at least 40,000 words for Fiction Novels, Fiction Anthologies/Collections, and Nonfiction, and at least 48 pages for Poetry. Using standard calculators, this equates to audiobooks of approximately four hours duration. Abridged versions of longer works are acceptable as long as they meet length requirements.
Judging Guideline: By definition, this award focuses on the narration of the audiobook rather than on the source material. As a consequence, evaluation items ask almost exclusively about the performance of the narrator(s). There are no restrictions on the number of narrators, but if a submission has several narrators, they will be judged on the overall performance rather than on individual performances within the work. Entries must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
II. FICTION ANTHOLOGIES/COLLECTIONS
FICTION ANTHOLOGIES (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes multi-author anthologies containing fictional works that share a theme, purpose, style, approach, and/or source (e.g., related works from a single publisher, authors from a certain geographic locale, works about a specific vocation or pastime). All entries must be fictional works chosen by the compiler(s)—a single editor or publisher, a group of editors, a group of authors, etc. Anthologies must have a minimum of three individual pieces and a total of at least 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: These anthologies must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people. Individual pieces in the anthology should be self-contained yet contribute to the book’s overall quality. For GCLS purposes, anthologies devoted to poetry should not be entered in this category but in the appropriate poetry category.
FICTION COLLECTIONS (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes single-author collections containing fictional works that share a theme, purpose, style, and/or approach. All entries must be fictional works chosen by the compiler(s)—a single author, editor or publisher, a group of editors, etc. Collections must have a minimum of three individual pieces and a total of at least 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: These collections must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people. Individual pieces in the collection should be self-contained yet contribute to the book’s overall quality. For GCLS purposes, collections devoted to poetry should not be entered in this category but in the appropriate poetry category.
III. FICTION NOVELS
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: SHORT NOVELS (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: Contemporary Romance is a modern (set within the past 25 years) love story in which the main characters overcome differences or challenges to achieve and/or sustain a romantic relationship. The love story must be the main focus of the novel, and it must have a happy or hopeful ending. This category is distinguished by novels whose main plot focuses on the obstacles a new couple faces to get together or the threats an existing couple must overcome to stay together. Sequels, series, and standalone novels in which the main plot centers on issues such as children, illness, career upheavals, etc., are eligible only when these issues significantly threaten the romantic relationship (i.e., sufficient to consider it the main plot). Entries in this category should be between 40,000 and 70,000 words in length.
Judging Guideline: This category includes novels in which the main characters fall in love, as well as other romantic plots in which characters already may have fallen in love (e.g., a sequel or series based on a story in which the characters fell in love in an earlier book; a standalone story of an established couple experiencing difficulties in their romantic relationship). These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: MID-LENGTH NOVELS (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: Contemporary Romance is a modern (set within the past 25 years) love story in which the main characters overcome differences or challenges to achieve and/or sustain a romantic relationship. The love story must be the main focus of the novel, and it must have a happy or hopeful ending. This category is distinguished by novels whose main plot focuses on the obstacles a new couple faces to get together or the threats an existing couple must overcome to stay together. Sequels, series, and standalone novels in which the main plot centers on issues such as children, illness, career upheavals, etc., are eligible only when these issues significantly threaten the romantic relationship (i.e., sufficient to consider it the main plot). Entries in this category should be between 70,001 and 85,000 words in length.
Judging Guideline: This category includes novels in which the main characters fall in love, as well as other romantic plots in which characters already may have fallen in love (e.g., a sequel or series based on a story in which the characters fell in love in an earlier book; a standalone story of an established couple experiencing difficulties in their romantic relationship). These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: LONG NOVELS (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: Contemporary Romance is a modern (set within the past 25 years) love story in which the main characters overcome differences or challenges to achieve and/or sustain a romantic relationship. The love story must be the main focus of the novel, and it must have a happy or hopeful ending. This category is distinguished by novels whose main plot focuses on the obstacles a new couple faces to get together or the threats an existing couple must overcome to stay together. Sequels, series, and standalone novels in which the main plot centers on issues such as children, illness, career upheavals, etc., are eligible only when these issues significantly threaten the romantic relationship (i.e., sufficient to consider it the main plot). Entries in this category should be 85,001+ words in length.
Judging Guideline: This category includes novels in which the main characters fall in love, as well as other romantic plots in which characters already may have fallen in love (e.g., a sequel or series based on a story in which the characters fell in love in an earlier book; a standalone story of an established couple experiencing difficulties in their romantic relationship). These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
EROTIC NOVELS (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes novels that contain a high level of sexual content, especially stories about erotic sexual interaction. The sex must be such an inherent part of the plot, setting, narrative, characterization, etc., that it could not be removed without damaging the storyline. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: In this category, sexual interactions are central to the work, though stories may contain elements of other genres (romance, paranormal, historical, etc.). Sexual relationships must be a driving force, with intensely erotic scenes that flow naturally from the overall story or premise. For GCLS purposes, all physical and/or sexual encounters in erotic novels must reflect mutual consent. These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
GENERAL FICTION (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: General Fiction novels may address any subject or theme. Careful use of language, style, and technique may be as important as subject matter, and character development may or may not take precedence over plot. Books in this category can break traditional fiction-writing conventions—endings may be upsetting or ambiguous, plot exposition may not be primary to the story, the author may employ new twists in dialogue or structure, etc. General fiction books can be a combination of any number of genres of fiction that cause them to lie outside the limits and rules of those specific genres. For GCLS purposes, examples include a dramatic story for which a romance is not the primary arc, a love story that does not have a happy or hopeful ending, character studies, or fresh genres not included in other categories. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people. In this category, judges may encounter styles that do not adhere to traditional genre-writing norms and expectations.
HISTORICAL FICTION (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: These novels are comprised of narratives that take place at least 25 years in the past and provide a realistic reconstruction of life in the historical time period in which they are based. The story must be predominantly set in a historical period, even if some of the scenes take place in the present. Historical novels should come as close to reflecting historical reality as possible. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: In this category, the historical elements must be part of the main plot/theme of the book. There can be romantic elements, but they are not necessarily the main focus. These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
MYSTERY/THRILLER/CRIME (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes novels in which a mystery, puzzle, chase, or search, particularly in the realm of crime, is central to the main plot. In mystery novels, a crime typically is committed early on, and the story focuses on discovering who committed the crime and why. Subgenres include cozy and hard-boiled mysteries; police procedurals; medical, scientific, or forensic mysteries; and legal or courtroom dramas. In thrillers, the focus often is on stopping a crime or event beforehand, capturing the villain(s), solving/resolving the issue, and/or preventing another, potentially more devastating crime or event from occurring. Subgenres include political thrillers (set against the backdrop of a political power struggle); epic thrillers (perhaps threatening an entire community, city, or country); and psychological thrillers (in which the threat is more contained—for example, to the protagonist, her partner, and/or other family members). In crime novels, the focus typically is on the contest of wills between protagonist and villain. Subgenres include certain types of police procedurals, “noir” books with a morally compromised hero, and perhaps even a mystery/thriller blend. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: In this category, the major focus is on catching criminals, saving the day, and solving crimes. All entries must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people. For GCLS purposes, no love story or personal issues for the main character(s) should ever constitute the main plot (though minor subplots of romance or personal issues may exist). If the novel includes two interwoven plotlines – a significant romance and a complex storyline involving elements of suspense, intrigue, adventure, and/or dramatic events—the book belongs in Romantic Blend. Supernatural thrillers should not be entered in this category but in Science Fiction/Fantasy or Paranormal/Occult/Horror.
NEW ADULT FICTION (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes novels written primarily for, and targeted to, readers aged 18 to 29. In New Adult Fiction, at least one main character must be aged 18 to 29 and dealing with one or more life “firsts”—e.g., first job, first apartment, first serious relationship—and/or with adult situations for the first time. New Adult Fiction focuses on life after legal age, and how one deals with the beginnings of adulthood. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: In this category, new adult themes must be the focus. These novels can be romance, science fiction, or any other genre, but must focus on the 18 to 29 age group. Events do not necessarily have to take place in the present. These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
PARANORMAL/OCCULT/HORROR (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes novels with familiar or recognizable settings in which the occult (vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, zombies, witches, warlocks, etc.) or paranormal (ghosts, spirits, psychics, etc.) constitute a major part of the plot, as well as novels in which events of horror cause overwhelming feelings of fear, dread, or shock. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: In this category, paranormal, occult, or horror elements are essential to the story. Though subplots of romance and/or drama may exist, the major focus does not have to be on love and romance. These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people. Typically, paranormal novels are set in our current world as we know it—as opposed to an entirely new world—but with a paranormal/occult/horror twist. Novels with an alternative or futuristic setting should not be entered in this GCLS category but in Science Fiction/Fantasy.
ROMANTIC BLEND (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: Novels in this category include two interwoven plotlines—a significant romance and a complex storyline involving elements of suspense, intrigue, adventure, and/or dramatic events. For GCLS purposes, romance is defined as a love story in which the main characters overcome differences or challenges to achieve and/or sustain a romantic relationship. Suspense often includes a mystery, crime, chase, or search with imminent personal and/or social peril. Intrigue often includes puzzles, covert identities, and/or corporate or geopolitical spycraft with both immediate and long-term consequences. Adventure often focuses on an unexpected physical trial where nature is the antagonist or a purposeful quest for achievement where failure holds physical or psychological consequences for the protagonist(s). Dramatic events often are central to stories of activism and protests; legal, medical, or courtroom dramas; power struggles between opposing political, family, or corporate players; and/or other externally inspired plots. Focus may shift throughout the novel from the romance to elements of suspense, intrigue, adventure, and/or dramatic events and back again. The culmination of storylines in these novels must achieve an emotionally satisfying romance and resolve issues of suspense, intrigue, adventure, and/or dramatic events. More than one of these elements may combine as they blend with the romantic arc. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: Judging in this category should not give undue weight to either the romance or the suspense/intrigue/adventure/dramatic events but consider both storylines together. The romance must have a happy or hopeful ending. These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people. This category is not to be confused with Mystery/Thriller/Crime (where a mystery, thriller, and/or crime constitutes the novel’s main plotline) or General Fiction (where romance with a happy or hopeful ending does not constitute a significant plotline).
SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes novels in which a significant portion or aspect of the story is set in a fantastical, future, or parallel world. Generally, these alternative settings include resources not currently available to humanity (magical abilities, alien experiences, yet-to-be-invented technologies, etc.). Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: In this category, futuristic and/or fantastical events are essential to the story. Though subplots of romance and/or drama may exist, the major focus does not have to be on love and romance. These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.n. However, the gender norms and social mores of the futuristic or fantastical setting may differ substantially from those of the “real” world. Typically, science fiction stories are set in a futuristic setting, while fantasy novels take place in an alternative, entirely new world. Novels set in our current world as we know it, but with a paranormal/occult/horror twist, should not be entered in this GCLS category but in Paranormal/Occult/Horror.
YOUNG ADULT FICTION (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes novels written primarily for, and targeted to, readers aged 12 to 18. Young adult books can be romances, historical fiction, science fiction, or any other genre, but they must focus on themes, characters, situations, and/or issues of interest and importance to 12-to-18-year-olds. Language must be readily accessible to young people in the targeted age group. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: These novels must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
IV. NONFICTION
NONFICTION ANTHOLOGIES/COLLECTIONS (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes multi-author anthologies and/or single-author collections of nonfictional works dealing with or offering opinions or conjectures about facts and reality. Topics may include but are not limited to, humor, commentary, travel writing, historical accounts, personal narrative, memoirs, and biography. All entries must be nonfictional works chosen by the compiler(s)—a single author, single editor, group of authors and/or editors, etc. Anthologies/collections must have a minimum of three individual pieces and a total of at least 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: These anthologies/collections must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people. Individual pieces in the anthology/collection should be self-contained yet contribute to the book’s overall quality. For GCLS purposes, anthologies/collections devoted to poetry should not be entered in this category but in the appropriate poetry category.
GENERAL NONFICTION (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This branch of literature comprises works of narrative prose dealing with or offering opinions or conjectures about facts and reality. General Nonfiction includes, but is not limited to, such topics as humor, commentary, travel writing, historical accounts, personal narrative, memoirs, and biography. Entries must have a minimum of 40,000 words to qualify for judging.
Judging Guideline: Entries in General Nonfiction must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
V. POETRY
POETRY ANTHOLOGIES (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes multi-author anthologies of poetry. Entries will be combined with Poetry Poems/Collections if either category has fewer than six entries. To qualify for judging, entries must be at least 48 pages long, and at least 50 percent of poems must be new, meaning not previously published. Previously published poems include those that have appeared in print in any format (book, journal, anthology, magazine, etc.) or anywhere publicly online (including the nominee's blog or Facebook page but excluding critique groups).
Judging Guideline: Poems must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
POETRY POEMS/COLLECTIONS (Evaluation criteria)
Definition: This category includes single-author poems or single-author collections of poetry. Entries will be combined with Poetry Anthologies if either category has fewer than six entries. To qualify for judging, entries must be at least 48 pages long, and at least 50 percent of poems must be new, meaning not previously published. Previously published poems include those that have appeared in print in any format (book, journal, anthology, magazine, etc.) or anywhere publicly online (including the nominee's blog or Facebook page but excluding critique groups).
Judging Guideline: Poems must include significant themes, characters, situations, or other content about women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women or sapphically aligned nonbinary people.
Nomination Process
The online Awards Management/Judging system provided by OpenWater is used for the nomination process.
Here are some reminders about the system:
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The Awards Management/Judging system is different from the GCLS website.
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You will be able to clone or copy nominations - you'll just have to change the book/author information. All of your contact information will remain. This will significantly reduce the amount of time it will take to submit multiple nominations.
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You won't need to calculate your nomination fees. The program will calculate this for you and provide you with an invoice. You'll be able to pay immediately via Credit Card or PayPal Express Checkout...or send a check for your payment. (Please see the Nomination Deadlines page.)
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Notifications will be sent to the nominator and the author/narrator once a nomination has been submitted and approved.
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You will upload your eBooks and cover photos at the time of nomination.
Please read the following carefully:
There are four steps to submitting a nomination (All of these steps must be completed according to the appropriate deadlines before a nomination is submitted for judging):
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Complete the appropriate online Nomination Form. Note: Incomplete, incorrect or late nominations will not be accepted.
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Submit payment for the total number of nominations according to the deadline timetable.
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You will need to provide books/audiobooks for our judges.
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For eBooks nominations, you must upload three formats for each book — .epub, .pdf, and .mobi/.prc during the nomination process.
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For audiobook nominations: If the audiobook being nominated is available in the US marketplace of Audible, please indicate that on the nomination form and no file is required. If it is not available on Audible, you will need to upload a DRM free .mp3/ .mp4 file of the full audiobook.
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Physical books will be purchased and distributed by the Awards Administrators.
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Upload a high resolution .jpg file of the nominated book’s/audiobook's cover at the time you complete the nomination forms.
Title | Fee Per Submission |
|---|---|
Tee Corinne | $20 |
Ann Bannon | $20 |
Debut Novel | $20 |
Audiobooks | $35 |
Physical Books | $50 |
Ebooks | $35 |
A book may be submitted in only one genre category, except:
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Books nominated in a "genre" category can also be nominated for the Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award; and,
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Covers for books nominated in a "genre" category can also be nominated for the Tee Corinne Award; and,
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Audiobook narration for books nominated in a “genre” category can also be nominated for the Audiobook Narrator Award; and,
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An author's debut novel may also be nominated for the Debut Novel Award
Please note: To be eligible for the Debut Novel, Ann Bannon, and Tee Corinne awards, books must be entered in a “genre” category.
Payment of the Award Nomination Administrative Fee is made online using a credit card or Paypal. Payment may also be made by check (preferred if over $100). Make checks payable to Golden Crown Literary Society and write the invoice number you’ll receive in the memo field on your check. Send your check to:
Golden Crown Literary Society
PO Box 662
Northfield, MN 55057
If you need to arrange another method of payment, please contact: awards@goldencrown.org
It is the Nominator's responsibility to ensure the nomination is within the Awards Guidelines. If a nomination is withdrawn due to ineligibility, or for any other reason as determined by the Awards Administrators, the Award Nomination Administrative Fee will not be refunded. In the situation where more than one party nominates the same book, the administrative fee will not be returned or prorated but will be retained by the GCLS and allocated toward defraying administrative costs.
Roles & Responsibilities
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The GCLS Board of Directors shall:
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Appoint independent Awards Administrators to oversee, enforce guidelines and rules, and coordinate the awards judging and ceremony, and to keep it fully confidential;
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Prior to opening the awards nominations, review the GCLS literary awards guidelines and the literary award categories from the previous year and rule on any additions, deletions, and/or modifications for the subsequent year;
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Prior to opening the awards nominations, rule on any modifications to the fee and book submission requirements;
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Prior to opening the awards nominations, appoint a member of the Board to serve as a Liaison for the Awards Administrator’s convenience. Said Liaison will serve as a sounding board for the Awards Administrator and provide historical data whenever needed.
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In the instance where the Awards Administrators and the Board Liaison require guidance in an unexpected situation for which there is no pre-determined rule or guideline, and the possible outcome is ambiguous - The awards liaison will jointly, with the Awards Administrators, minimize the information through the complete elimination of all data pertaining to the book or books involved, including but not limited to: the author, editor, publisher, and any additional information that is not pertinent to the advice being sought, and then present the situation as ‘generically’ as possible to the Board of Directors for a ruling which will then become part of the Awards Guidelines for this and future Awards processes.
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The GCLS Board of Directors shall NOT:
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Have any influence whatsoever in the outcome of the awards;
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Have contact with the Awards Administrator regarding the awards from the opening day of the current nominations period through the presentation of the awards;
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Have any participation in the awards process, other than in the extreme situation where current rules and regulations have not addressed a situation and the possible outcome is at best ambiguous, lending the Awards Administrators unable to make a ruling and therefore requiring a new rule be admitted to the Awards Guidelines. (See Role of Board Liaison, below).
AWARDS LIAISON
The GCLS Awards Liaison shall:
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Serve as an advisor to the Awards Administrators during the awards process;
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Serve as Liaison between the GCLS Awards Administrators and the GCLS Board of Directors only when an extreme situation requires a ruling clarification by the board, and only when the Awards Administrators ask her to do so;
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Assist the Awards Administrators in communications to the members;
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Provide technical support as needed by the awards Administrators;
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Assist the Awards Administrators as needed during the Awards Ceremony.
The Awards Liaison to the Awards Administrators shall NOT:
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Influence the outcome of the awards, other than to act as an advisor (e.g. in the interpretation of a rule or guideline, or how a rule has been applied historically) to the Awards Administrators when asked for input by the Awards Administrators;
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Be influenced by others, in terms of her role in the awards process.
AWARDS ADMINISTRATORS
The GCLS Awards Administrators shall:
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Serve two- to three-year, overlapping terms upon appointment by the GCLS Board of Directors.
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Review, edit, and release annual versions of the multiple approved documents related to the GCLS Awards for the new awards year. Any changes will be related to dates, clarity, typos, and related issues. Any change in rules will require Board approval before implementation, and that can only occur outside of the annual awards period.
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Be responsible for the selection and assignment of at least three (3) to five (5) judges per literary award category;
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Record and process all award nominations;
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Provide clarification to nominators regarding the rules and guidelines;
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Be responsible for managing the judges and enforcing the approved judging rules and guidelines;
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Provide the judges with all the forms, books, guidelines, and guidance necessary to complete the judging process;
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Evaluate accuracy, completion, and fairness of all evaluations, and in the case of an obvious disproportionate score, contact the judges to ascertain any information necessary to determine whether one score should be eliminated on the basis of prejudice or another factor of equally serious consideration;
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Upon completion of the judging process, the administrators shall receive, inspect and verify judged category scores from the OpenWater awards management software; tally and verify SurveyMonkey scores for the Ann Bannon and Tee Corrine specialty awards; and determine the lists of finalists and winners in all categories;
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Require the vendor who will make the awards, to sign a Confidentiality Agreement, prior to the delivery of the winners’ names and categories;
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Deliver the names of the winners in complete confidence to the vendor who will make the trophies;
The GCLS Awards Administrators shall NOT:
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Discuss, share, or otherwise compromise the awards process or details of the judging process before, during, or after completion of the awards process outside of themselves and the Board Liaison.
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The only exception being in the extreme situation where the current rules and guidelines do not address a complex situation and that at best permits only an ambiguous decision and therefore requires a ruling by the Board. In this situation, the Awards Administrator provides only a generic question (devoid of any related data such as the book(s), author(s), category(s), publisher(s), editor(s), or other detailed information that might allow the Board members to discern what book(s) the question may be about), to the Liaison to take to the Board for a ruling. The Awards Administrator then adds the new rule to the current Awards Guidelines, and the liaison publishes the new version on the website with an announcement to the members;
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Divulge to anyone the specifics of the numerical rankings for the winners or the way the various judges evaluated the works they read.
The judges’ decisions are final. Neither the Awards Administrators nor the Board will entertain objections or challenges with regard to the judging or the judging process.
LITERARY AWARDS JUDGES
A Judge shall:
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Attend the training webinars provided by the Awards Administrators before they may proceed with their judging duties.
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Judge only in categories in which s/he is not nominated;
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Judge only categories in which books by a partner or relatives are not nominated;
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Agree to adhere to the rules and guidelines of the judging process;
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Agree to adhere to the timelines established by the Awards Administrator;
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Sign a non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement;
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Sign a conflict of interest form;
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Notify the Awards Administrators immediately should a conflict of interest emerge.
A Judge shall NOT:
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Be influenced in any way by outside forces/people about how she judges a book.
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Let it be known to anyone that s/he is a judge for the awards, prior to the awards ceremony.
Any questions regarding roles and responsibilities should be directed to awards@goldencrown.org
Nomination Deadlines
To help ensure that our judges have enough time to thoroughly read - and fairly judge - each book, a "tiered" deadline calendar has been implemented. The nomination due date will be determined by the publication date. The 2023 deadlines are:
GENRE, AUDIOBOOK, and ANN BANNON Nominations:
The nomination timeline will be as follows (all dates are between January 1, 2022- January 21, 2023):
Publication Date | Nomination Deadline | Credit Card/Paypal Deadline | Check Payment Deadline | Ebook Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan 1 - Aug 31 | 15 Oct | 15 Oct | 31 Oct | 15 Oct |
Sept 1 - Oct 31 | 15 Nov | 15 Nov | 30 Nov | 15 Nov |
Nov 1 - Nov 30 | 15 Dec | 15 Dec | 31 Dec | 15 Dec |
Dec 1 - Dec 31 | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | 21 Jan | 7 Jan |
Publication Date | Nomination Deadline | Credit Card/Paypal Deadline | Check Payment Deadline | Ebook Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan 1 - Aug 31 | 15 Oct | 15 Oct | 31 Oct | 15 Oct |
Sept 1 - Oct 31 | 15 Nov | 15 Nov | 30 Nov | 15 Nov |
Nov 1 - Nov 30 | 15 Dec | 15 Dec | 31 Dec | 15 Dec |
Dec 1 - Dec 31 | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | 21 Jan | 7 Jan |
Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award
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Novels must be entered in a specific judged genre category (e.g., Contemporary Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Historical Fiction) to be eligible.Novels must be enter
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Books will be evaluated by judges in the genre categories.
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Finalists will be determined by cross-novel scores on 18 “essential elements” and a 19th cross-genre item common to all novel categories. (The essential elements are questions set into six groups – Opening/Premise, Plot, Characters, Writing, Setting, and Reader Impact/Inclusivity.)
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Voting Round: open for 2 weeks
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Finalists will be posted and voting will begin by April 17th
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Voting will end on April 30
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Finalists will be announced on the website in early May 2024 as each category is tallied and finalized. Finalists will also be notified via email.
*Book cover images are due at the time of nomination.
Tee Corinne Nominations:
The nomination timeline will be as follows:
Award Type | Nomination Deadline | Cover Image Deadline | Card/Paypal Payment Deadline | Check Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tee Corinne | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | 21 Jan |
Award Type | Nomination Deadline | Cover Image Deadline | Card/Paypal Payment Deadline | Check Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tee Corinne | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | 21 Jan |
Tee Corinne Award for Outstanding Cover Design
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Book covers must be entered in a specific judged genre category (e.g., Contemporary Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Historical Fiction) to be eligible.
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Nominations must be received NO LATER THAN December 31, 2023
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Fees paid by credit card or Paypal are due at the time of nomination. Fees made by check must be received NO LATER THAN January 15, 2024
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Voting for Round One: February 1 – February 28, 2024
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Finalists Announced March 5, 2024
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Voting for Final Round: March 5– March 30, 2024
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Book cover images are due at the time of nomination
Directors’ Award, Trailblazer Award, and Lee Lynch Classic Award
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Nominations must be received NO LATER THAN December 31, 2023
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There are no fees for nominations in these categories
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The Lee Lynch Classic Award will be announced on February 3, 2024 – Lesbian Classics Day (Gertrude Stein’s Birthday)
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The Trailblazer Award recipient will be announced on April 30, 2024 (Alice B. Toklas' Birthday).
*Winners for all other awards will be announced at the 2024 GCLS Awards
**Please note: Books are judged against detailed criteria, not against each other. Thus, a book read and judged in November will be evaluated against the same criteria as a book read and judged in March.
Ebook Versus Paperback
The GCLS began accepting eBooks for the 2014 GOLDIES - and we received quite a number of ebook submissions. Over 95% of the nominations received for the 2022 Goldies were in ebook format. We highly recommend submitting ebooks rather than physical books:
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The cost for nominating an ebook (this year) is $35; the cost for nominating a physical book is $50.
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Uploading the three required eBook files (.epub, .mobi, .pdf) is free. Shipping physical books to takes additional time and cost.
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Physical books need to be mailed to judges - some of whom are based outside the US. This is very costly for the GCLS. By submitting eBook nominations, you help save the GCLS a great deal in postage fees, thereby helping us avoid annual increases in the nomination fees.
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Judges have immediate access to ebooks and have more time to read and evaluate books.
However, if you do not have ebooks available to you, you can nominate physical books. Please adhere to all deadlines and guidelines.
Please remember, this is an "either/or" situation - you either submit ebooks or submit physical books. You do not have to submit both.