MyQueerSapphFic

Discount and New Release Women loving women (WLW)/Sapphic Themed fiction

Anne Hagan

Introducing iReadIndies International

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iReadIndies Header Logo

And so it began…

Two and a half years ago, indie author KC Luck established iReadIndies, a collective organization “to bring visibility, recognition, and support to independent authors who put their own time, effort, and resources into self-publishing quality sapphic literature.”

Over the ensuing time, more than 200 indie authors have joined the collective at no cost. All are free to participate in free mentoring, training, group marketing efforts, anthologies and more. There are monthly author meetings, a newsletter for authors, social media outlets that allow the authors to collaborate, reader facing social media accounts, and reader groups on Facebook to promote the authors and their work. Indie book loving readers can also be on a mailing list just for them.

In the early days, near the tail end of the first major wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was talk of future writing retreats, conferences, and awards. It was a huge undertaking for KC, and a true labor of love.

KC has decided to step down. She’s established quite a legacy, and she’ll be missed…but she’ll never be far away. In her stead, Erin and I are taking over, continuing her legacy, and building for the future.

Why take over iReadIndies?

We too love indie authors of sapphic literature and the readers who support them. Of all the books we advertise here at MyQueerSapphFic, 95% (or more) are indie. Our weekly newsletter has thousands of reader subscribers who love hearing about discounts on and new releases of the books they love.

All of that said…we’ve decided we need to make two immediate changes that will help us reach out to more authors, reach more readers, and grow for the future.

  1. We’re incorporating and changing the name (slightly) to iReadIndies International – AKA iReadIndies International Inc. – We’ll still have the roots of a collective, but with open arms to the world of sapphic indie literature, the diversity of the writers and authors who create it, and all the readers who love it.
  2. We’re applying to make iReadIndies International Inc. a non-profit organization. – We’ve got a few hoops to jump through to get there including getting the transition made/website back up and running under our management, filing our non-profit application, and obtaining tax exempt status.

Moving forward and into the foreseeable future, I’ll be the executive director of what we’ve been calling iRI, for short. I’ll be responsible for most of the transition effort, and the day to day operations of iRI thereafter. With KC’s help and some input from members of the collective, We’ve already vetted a small starting board of directors to stand up the new iteration of our not quite so new organization. The board will oversee the organization and keep me in line!

Erin Hodgson will serve as the first President of the board. Serving as members and other officers will be authors Edale Lane and Max Ellendale, and voracious reader and editor Tammie Lynn. Going forward, board positions can be added as needed. Multiple authors and a few readers have volunteered to help in other capacities.

Why a non-profit?

KC paid for nearly everything out of her own pocket, out of the goodness of her heart. As we grow and plan things like a more formal mentorship program, writing retreats, writer/reader conferences, visibility at established conferences and events, and annual awards, we’re going to need funding.

  1. The benefits of being a non-profit: We’ll be able to receive tax-deductible donations, have access to grant funding, and we’ll be better able to build credibility with donors and partners.
  2. The challenges of being a non-profit: There are challenges, always, with any organization. For us our biggest challenges will be fundraising, managing volunteers, and complying with regulations.
  3. The future: Being a non-profit will allow us to make a difference in the lives of indie authors and the readers who love great books by giving us not only the platform KC started, but the ability to grow and change with the times…and they are heady times we live in!

What’s next?

I Heart IndiesThe website will be down for a few more days or so, as we transition. Watch for it to return and (over time) expand, watch your iReadIndies email (if you joined the list before the transition), and watch social media. We’ll resume all of the things below and more, soon:

  • Book contests and giveaways
  • Indie author anthologies in multiple genres (mass giveaways!)
  • Author Spotlights/Readings
  • Author (self published/aiming to publish) and writer (write for fun) specific groups for brainstorming, networking, collaboration, venting, and more.
  • New release announcements
  • Mentoring
  • Resource listings
  • Author classes and masterclasses on craft, editing, publishing, and marketing…especially marketing!

Additionally, with funding, volunteers, and lots of planning and coordination we’re aiming for:

  • A website that showcases the authors of the collective and their books, where readers can find great books by genre and trope.
  • Membership sites like KoFi and/or Patreon with exclusive content from authors of the collective to support iReadIndies and programming for the authors of the collective.
  • Awards in 2024 for 2023 works and the establishment of a formal awards nominating and judging process for future years.
  • Writing retreats in at least two locations (US and abroad?) beginning in 2024.
  • A small (weekend?) conference in Scotland in 2024. Exact location to be determined.
  • Representation at various levels at US based conferences in 2024 like GCLS (July, location to be determined), Women’s Week (October, Provincetown), LCLC (October, Palm Springs, California) – We’ll likely – unfortunately – skip ReadOUT in Gulfport, Florida for 2024 and regauge the political climate there in 2025.
  • A first iRI US based conference with an awards presentation in 2025, likely in Columbus, Ohio for the first year.

We’re building on a solid foundation from a great legacy, and we’re just getting started!

 

Rest in Power Minnie Bruce Pratt

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Activist, poet and essayist Minnie Bruce Pratt passed away on July 19th, 2023. She was 76.

Minnie was a radical southern femme, feminist poet, essayist, educator, and activist. She was a founding member of the Combahee River Collective, a black feminist organization that was one of the first to articulate a radical analysis of the intersections of race, class, and gender oppression. Pratt’s own work was deeply informed by her experiences as a white, working-class, lesbian woman. Her poems and essays explored themes of racism, sexism, homophobia, and violence.

Pratt was born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1948. She grew up in a working-class family and attended segregated schools. After graduating from high school, Pratt attended Wellesley College, where she studied English and creative writing. After graduating from Wellesley, Pratt moved to New York City, where she began her career as a poet and essayist.

In 1974, Pratt co-founded the Combahee River Collective. The Collective’s statement of purpose, written by Pratt, is one of the most important documents in the history of black feminism. The statement articulates the Collective’s belief that “the major systems of oppression are interlocking, and that women of color experience oppression in ways that are both similar to and different from those of white women.”

Crimes Against NatureIn 1991, The New York Times named Crime Against Nature a Notable Book of the Year, and the American Library Association honored the volume with its Gay and Lesbian Book Award for Literature. The works focused on her experience as a lesbian raising sons. The book was reprinted and distributed in 2016 as the first title from Sapphic Classics, a co-edition between Sinister Wisdom Magazine and A Midsummer Night’s Press to reprint seminal works of lesbian poetry.

Pratt published six books of poetry, including “The Sound of One Fork Against the Other” (1981), “S/He” (1985), and “Ordinary Life” (1995). She also wrote several books of essays, including “Identity Lessons” (1998) and “Situating Autobiography” (2003). Pratt’s work has been widely anthologized and translated into several languages.

Pratt was a professor of English at the University of Maryland, College Park, for over 30 years. She was also a founding member of the Women’s Studies program at the University of Maryland. She spent the last years of her academic career as professor of women’s and gender studies as well as writing and rhetoric at Syracuse University. She retired in 2015.

Pratt was a tireless advocate for social justice and a powerful voice for the oppressed. Her work will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

In addition to her writing, Pratt was also an active activist. She participated in protests against racism, sexism, homophobia, and violence. She also worked to raise awareness about the intersections of oppression. Pratt was a founding member of the Southern Organizing Committee for Human Needs and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She was also a member of the board of directors of the National Organization for Women and the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays.

Pratt was a brilliant writer, thinker, and activist. She was a powerful voice for the oppressed and a tireless advocate for social justice. Her work will continue to inspire readers and activists for generations to come.

Here are some additional details about Pratt’s life and work:

  • Pratt was a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Poetry, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Lannan Foundation Literary Award.
  • She was a member of the editorial boards of several journals, including “Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society” and “American Quarterly.”
  • Pratt’s work has been featured in several documentaries, including “The Combahee River Collective: A History in Documents” and “For the Record: The Life of Minnie Bruce Pratt.”
  • Pratt was awarded the National Women’s History Association’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights in 2014.

Pratt is survived by her sons Ben and Ransom Weaver. She was proceeded in death by her longtime partner and later spouse, activist and the author of ‘Stone Butch Blues,’ Leslie Feinberg in 2014.

Pratt’s death is a loss to the world of literature and activism. She was a brilliant writer and thinker who used her work to challenge injustice and oppression. Her legacy will continue to inspire others for years to come.

Pratt’s sons have suggested anyone wishing to make memorial donations in her name make them to the to the Friends of Dorothy House in Syracuse, which provides care and support to people living with HIV or AIDS.

May she forever rest in power.

Resources for Sapphic Literature Authors

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Resources for Authors

This week’s blog post focuses specifically on resources for sapphic literature writers. This is intended to be a living document. Links will be added as they are found.

Here are some of the best online writing and information resources for  sapphic fiction authors and most other authors. (Updated with additions and corrections November 15th, 2023…still not exhaustive!):

The resources below are more general (read, not sapphic at all), geared toward writing craft, or toward the business of being an author, and are not genre specific. They’re also in no particular order. All of them have been used by Anne and she recommends them.

  • One Stop for Writers: Free (lots) and paid (tons) resources for writers. Includes articles, tutorials, worksheets, tip sheets, story maps for plotting, etc.
  • Writer’s Digest: There’s the magazine (online and offline) of course, all the seminars, and a great website with lots of free resources for writers. Anne’s favorite section is, Write Better Fiction.
  • Jane Friedman: Reports on the publishing industry including self publishing and the business of being an author. She has a paid newsletter, The Hot Sheet, a blog, the extremely popular and free bi-weekly email newsletter, Electric Speed (well worth the signup), free and (mostly) inexpensive paid in-person and online classes on running your author business and on writing craft, and more.
  • KM Weiland: Her blog, ‘Helping Writers Become Authors,’ is all about writing craft. There are new posts weekly at a minimum and is always worth a look even if she’s addressing ‘the hero’s journey’ and you write erotic romance. Sign up for email notices of new posts so you never miss one.
  • Janice Hardy: Janice, an author, teacher/professor, and writing coach runs the Fiction University blog/website. She’s down to blogging personally one day a week now on writing craft from a much heavier schedule, but she also has guest posts weekly or more on a wide variety of craft topics.
  • Joanna Penn: Joanna is an author, podcaster, and blogger. Her blog for writers is called The Creative Penn. All of her podcasts featuring herself and a wide range of guests in publishing, particularly self publishing and the businesses that serve indies are archived and also transcribed. She’s written a host of non-fiction books as Joanna Penn about writing and publishing. Most of her fiction is written as J.F. Penn.
  • Anne R Allen: Authors Anne R. Allen and Ruth Harris release a once weekly blog post on Sunday on their blog Writing About Writing. These typically cover specific topics about the business of being an author, and sometimes they are more craft focused. They’re always laced with useful examples and informative. They also maintain an excellent resource list for authors.
  • Bryn Donovan: Bryn is an author and an editor who writes both fiction and non-fiction books. She’s well known for her ‘Master Lists for Writers’ and her tomes of writing prompts. Anne follows her very inclusive blog. Anne has bought her books. Anne loves her!
  • Reedsy: Reedsy is a site where you can hire a freelance editor. They also offer a blog with detailed, useful articles on writing, book design, and publishing and they offer more than 50 FREE Online courses that cover writing, book design, publishing, marketing and more.
  • DIY MFA: You can get an armchair Master of Fine Arts in writing if you follow the advice of this site. You’ll focus not only on writing, but also on reading and on community building.
  • Writers Helping Writers: This site has a frequently updated blog on writing craft topics, paid tools and tutorials for many aspects of storytelling (include several through One Stop for Writers), and workshops and webinars with well known authors/presenters (paid with fees starting at $15 for 1-2 hour sessions/higher for longer, more in-depth workshops). The resource list on the site needs an update.
  • C.S. Lakin: C.S. is a novelist, copy editor, writing coach, and more who writes and hosts guest posts on her blog, Live Write Thrive. Her ‘writing tips’ blog posts are some of her most popular.
  • Writer Unboxed: A great site with daily, relatable posts about the craft and business of fiction. The site has multiple contributors with lots of different perspectives.
  • Writers in the Storm: Five women, all authors, who write in a range of genres blogging about writing craft and inspiration. They’ve been writing the blog since 2010 so there are extensive archives which can be searched by month, keyword, and category (from a dropdown list of categories).
  • Writer Beware: For ALL writers. Educate yourself. Stay safe from scams and scammers.
  • The Book Designer: Very useful site for self published authors with archived articles by Joel Frielander and others. Note: It’s now a part of SelfPublishing.com, but the archived articles are great. The articles focus mainly on the parts after the writing is done; book covers, book design, printing, marketing, and more.
  • The Kill Zone: We know we said no genre resources but we’re making an exception for this one because it’s exceptional. Eleven writers including James Scott Bell and Sue Coletta blog for the TKZ about writing, especially about writing mystery, thriller, and suspense works, and about publishing.
  • Kindlepreneur: This site by author and entrepreneur Dave Chesson will appear again when we talk about marketing sapphic books and marketing tools, but a mention as an overall resource is not misplaced. Dave has created or co-created several products of use to all authors including his best known KDP Rocket (a marketing tool focused on Amazon) and the writing/publishing software Atticus. Dave is also well known for his extensive, honest reviews of writing, publishing, and marketing tools.

 

Writing workshops and Training: There are many writing workshops that focus on sapphic fiction. These workshops can be a great way to learn from experienced writers and get feedback on your work.

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Online communities: Besides the resources we’re beginning to develop here at MyQueerSapphFic, there are many online communities for sapphic fiction authors where you can connect with other writers and with readers, get feedback on your work, and learn about the industry. Some of these sites and communities also review books and/or allow advertising. Some of our favorite communities include:

  • iHeartSapphFic – Reader heavy focus with lots of promos for authors to participate in (mostly free/some paid advertising spots) and a book finder database that puts ours to shame. We’re working on it!
  • iReadIndies – A place for readers of indie published books and a collective for indie authors (not published through any established large publisher, university press, sapphic press/publisher, or other LGBTQIA press/publisher).
  • Lesfic Marketing Alliance Facebook Group – Just what it says. Authors only, getting together to share tips and help each other promote.
  • The Lesbian Review (TLR) – Reader heavy focus built on thousands of book reviews. Also review movies and more. There are opportunities to promote and to appear at reader facing events (mostly online through webinars and on Discord)
  • Queer Romance Ink – Mostly a place to advertise (author pays). Large, searchable book database for readers that is growing more sapphic, but leans heavily toward gay fiction. Not just romance.

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Review Sites and Book Bloggers: Some sites and bloggers accept ARC copies, some do not. Some use Netgally. Check with each individual site or blogger before requesting a review or sending your book/eBook.

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Agents and publishers: There are a number of publishers who specialize in sapphic fiction. If you’re interested in getting your work published traditionally rather than self-publishing, you can research them to find the right fit for you. Agents are typically necessary for large, mainstream publishers. There are far too many of those publishers and agents to list.

The publishers below lean toward sapphic literature or accept it exclusively. Each will typically take a direct submission. Check their websites before submitting for information and guidelines.

Other publishers who focus on LGBTQIA fiction and often take direct submissions:

These lists are by no means exhaustive and will continue to evolve.

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These books offer insights into the craft of writing sapphic fiction, as well as advice on how to represent sapphic characters and relationships in a way that is authentic and respectful.

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Awards: There are multiple awards programs for LGBTQ+ books. Some are dedicated to sapphic books and some exclusively to gay books or bisexual books. Other awards and award programs are more general in nature. Listed below are reputable programs authors and publishers can submit to. Many require a submission fee which helps to keep the awards program viable. Some of the organizations giving awards are profiled in other areas of this blog post.

The Goldies – Sapphic exclusive awards in multiple categories given in July of each year by the Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) for works published between January 1st and December 31st of the previous year. To facilitate judging, GCLS staggers the submission deadlines. Submissions generally start in late August or very early September of the publishing year for all books published through at least the first half of the year (January through June). the final submission period ends in mid to late January of the year following the year of publication. There is a submission fee.

The Lammys – Given by Lambda Literary each year in May or June for (primarily) books published in the previous calendar year. There are exceptions. Lambda has lesbian specific categories, gay specific categories, bisexual ones, and transgender ones. There are also some overall LGBTQ categories not broken out by orientation including – for some reason – the broad category of ‘Mystery.’ Submissions begin September 1st of the publishing year and extend slightly into the year following. There is a scaled submission fee.

The Lesfic Bard Awards – Sapphic exclusive awards in multiple categories given annually for books published the previous calendar year. Submissions are generally open all year for books published that year and close in January of the year after the publishing year. There is a submission fee. Note, if you write gay fiction as well, they also sponsor the Gay Scribe Awards.

The Publishing Triangle Awards – The Publishing Triangle presents 10 awards annually. Two awards, one for non-fiction, and one for poetry are lesbian only. Others are closed to sapphic books and still others are open to the full spectrum of LGBTQIA orientations. Submissions open in late September and run through early December of the publishing year.

Foreward Indies Book of the Year – These prestigious awards are open to all indie published books, both by individual indie authors and authors from small and boutique presses like those of you with Bella, Bold Strokes, Ylva, etc. Submissions are open year round. They close on January 31st of the year following the publishing year. Finalists in all categories are named in March. Winners are named in June. There is a (steep) fee to submit.

Ippy Awards – An unaffiliated, but prestigious awards program for independent publishers/indie authors who publish books for an English speaking audience. There are dozens of award categories including one for LGBTQ+ Fiction. Early bird entries are in September and November. The current entry cutoff is March 16th, 2024. Submission fees are required for each category of submission.

Stonewall Book Awards – Sponsored by the American Library Association’s Rainbow Round Table. The award honors one exceptional book each year in each of three categories (adult fiction, adult non-fiction, and childrens/YA). Submissions (free) are open during the publishing year. The winners are announced in January of February of the year following the publishing year with the actual award (plaque and monetary) given at the ALA annual conference in June.

Please note: The Rainbow Awards were given each year by Elisa Rolle through 2021. They appear to have stopped with that year.

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Here are some other resources that you may find helpful:

GCLS LogoThe Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) – Mentioned above under workshops and training – A nonprofit organization supporting an international community of readers, writers, publishers, editors, audiobook narrators, and fans devoted to increasing the diversity, accessibility, quality, and visibility of sapphic and women-loving-women literature.

 

 

 

 

Lambda Literary Foundation websiteThe Lambda Literary Foundation – Also, mentioned above, Lambda Literary provides resources for LGBTQIA+ writers, including a mentorship program, a writing retreat, and a literary awards program.

 

 

 

 

The Publishing Triangle is a professional organization for LGBTQIA+ writers, editors, and publishers. They offer a Publishing Triangle websitenumber of resources for writers, including a mentorship program, a writing contest, and a book fair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023 Goldie Award Winning Books

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Goldie WinnersThe 2023 winners of the annual Goldie Awards bestowed by the Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) were named on Saturday, July 1st at the awards ceremony held at their annual convention, which was in Denver, Colorado, this year.

New from GCLS this year, after receiving a substantial grant from the Aronson-Besthoff Fund of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, are monetary awards for the highest scoring debut novel, the highest scoring book in each genre category, and the highest scoring book in each of the ‘non-novel’ categories like, non-fiction and poetry.

Also now receiving monetary awards are the top three books determined by ranked choice voting for the Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award. The institution of monetary prizes necessitated changes in how the Ann Bannon entries were voted upon.

GCLS names 25% of all books entered in each category as finalists as determined by the rankings of the judging panel for the category. In each category, 10% of all entered books ultimately receive awards, allowing more than one winner in larger categories.

Winners are listed below in the order award categories were presented by the GCLS at the awards ceremony. Monetary prize winning books are listed first and noted in each category.

General Non-Fiction:

Half InHalf In: A Coming of Age Memoir of Forbidden Love by Felice Cohen/Dividend Press – Felice and her book were profiled here previously. – Also won $1,000 prize

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Audiobook Narrator:

This was a new category this year. There were more than 30 audio books entered, and three winning narrartors were chosen.

Dead Woman’s Revenge narrated by Rebecca Lowman* of Orange Skye Audio (Published by Dreamspinner Press)

 A Whisper of Solace (previously profiled on this site) narrated by Abby Craden* of Tantor Media (Self Published by Milena McKay)

Dead Letters from Paradise narrated by Christine Williams* of Susie Bright/Audible Studios (Published by Bywater Books)

*Links to narrator names go to the lists of Audible audio books they have narrator credits for including the book they won for. Not all books they’ve narrated are sapphic books.

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Romantic Blend:

EnigmaEnigma by Suzie Clarke, published by Bold Strokes Books – Top Scoring Novel Prize – $1,000

Despite Chaos by Stacy Lynn Miller, published by Bella Books

Secret Agent by Michelle Larkin, published by Bold Strokes Books

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Contemporary Romance Short Novels:

Trial and ErrorTrial and Error by Carsen Taite, published by Bold Strokes Books – Top Scoring Novel Prize – $1,000

Truly Wanted by J.J. Hale, published by Bold Strokes Books

Perfect Rivalry by Radclyffe, published by Bold Strokes Books

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Fiction Anthologies/Collections:

Defiant HeartsDefiant Hearts – Lee Lynch, published by Bold Strokes Books – Top Scoring $1,000 Prize

 

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Mystery/Thriller/Crime:

DelafieldDelafield by Katherine V. Forrest, published by Spinsters Ink – Top Scoring Novel Prize – $1,000

Hunting Gold by Ann Aptaker, published by Bywater Books

Last Chance Chicago by Diana DiGangi, published by Bywater Books

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Young Adult Fiction:

Can I Trust HerCan I Trust Her? by Frances Lucas, published by Bella Books – Top Scoring Novel Prize – $1,000

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Contemporary Romance – Mid Length Novels:

The Last Lavender SisterThe Last Lavender Sister by Melissa Brayden, published by Bold Strokes Books – Top Scoring Novel Prize – $1,000

She’ll Steal Your Heart by Rachel Lacey, Self Published

With a Twist by Georgia Beers, published by Bold Strokes Books

I Dare You to Love Me by Lori G. Matthews, published by Bella Books (Lori has a short mystery in a giveaway available through July 5th, 2023)

Christmas Mouse by Rachel Spangler, published by Brisk Press

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Paranormal/Occult/Horror:

The Wicked and the WillingThe Wicked and the Willing by Lianyu Tan, published by Shattered Scepter Press – Top Scoring Novel Prize, $1,000. (Previously featured on this site)

The Mermaid Hypothesis by Siri Caldwell, published by Brussels Sprouts Press

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Poetry Collections:

Time Out of TimeTime Out of Time by Arleen Paré, published by Caitlin Press and Dagger Editions – $1,000 prize winner

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General Fiction:

Dead Letters from ParadiseDead Letters from Paradise by Ann McMan, published by Bywater Books – Top Scoring Novel Prize $1,000

The Barrens by Kurt Johnson and Ellie Johnson, published by Arcade – Skyhorse

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New Adult Fiction:

Catching FeelingsCatching Feelings by Ana Hartnett Reichardt, published by Bold Strokes Books – Top Scoring Novel Prize, $1,000

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Historical Fiction:

Once in BerlinOnce in Berlin by Jo Havens, self published – Top Scoring Novel Prize, $1,000

Observations on the Danger of Female Curiosity by Suzanne Moss, published by Aesculus Books (previously featured on this site)

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Erotica:

EscortedEscorted by Renee Roman, published by Bold Strokes Books – Top Scoring Novel

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Contemporary Romance – Long Novel:

Plain English by Rachel Spangler, published by Bywater Books – Top Scoring Novel Prize – $1,000

Chemistry by Rachael Sommers, published by Ylva Publishing

Purposefully Accidental by G Benson, Self Published

Over the Moon with You by Jaime Clevenger, published by Bella Books

Something’s Different by Quinn Ivens, published by Ylva Publishing

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Science Fiction/Fantasy:

EnduranceEndurance by Elaine Burnes, published by Mindancer Press/Bedazzled Ink – Top Scoring Novel Prize – $1,000

The Mage and the Monster by Barbara Ann Wright, published by Bold Strokes Books

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Debut Novel:

The BarrensThe Barrens by Kurt Johnson and Ellie Johnson, published by Arcade – Skyhorse – Top Scoring Debut Novel Prize – $1,000

Truly Wanted by JJ Hale, published by Bold Strokes Books

Observations on the Danger of Female Curiosity by Suzanne Moss, published by Aesculus Books (previously featured on this site)

Honey in the Marrow by Emily Waters, published by Ylva Publishing

Love and Duty by Catherine Young, published by Bold Strokes Books

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Sandra Moran Writing Academy Scholarship: Beth Caldwell

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Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award:

If I Dont AskGold and $3,000 – If I Don’t Ask by EJ Noyes, published by Bella Books

Just a Touch AwaySilver and $2,000 – Just a Touch Away by Jae (This book was previously featured on this site)

Broken Beyond RepairBronze and $1,000 – Broken Beyond Repair by Emily Banting (This book was previously featured on this site)

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Tee Corinne Award for Outstanding Cover Design:

Observations on the Danger of Female CuriosityObservations on the Danger of Female Curiosity by Suzanne Moss, published and cover by Aesculus Books (This book was previously featured on this site)

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Lee Lynch Classic Award:

 

Home GirlsHome Girls by Barbara Smith

From the book blurb and from Amazon:

“The pioneering anthology Home Girls features writings by Black feminist and lesbian activists on topics both provocative and profound. Since its initial publication in 1983, it has become an essential text on Black women’s lives and writings. This edition features an updated list of contributor biographies and an all-new preface that provides a fresh assessment of how Black women’s lives have changed-or not-since the book was first published.”

Contributors are Tania Abdulahad, Donna Allegra, Barbara A. Banks, Becky Birtha, Julie Carter, Cenen, Cheryl Clarke, Michelle Cliff, Michelle T. Clinton, Willie M. Coleman, Toi Derricotte, Alexis De Veaux, Jewelle L. Gomez, Akasha (Gloria) Hull, Patricia Jones, June Jordan, Audre Lorde, Raymina Y. Mays, Deidre McCalla, Chirlane McCray, Pat Parker, Linda C. Powell, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Spring Redd, Gwendolyn Rogers, Kate Rushin, Ann Allen Shockley, Barbara Smith, Beverly Smith, Shirley O. Steele, Luisah Teish, Jameelah Waheed, Alice Walker, and Renita Weems.

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Trailblazer Award:

The Trailblazer Award is given annually by GCLS to an author for lifetime achievement. The 2023 awardee is:

Alison Bechdel

Alison’s brief bio:

ALISON BECHDEL has been a careful archivist of her own life and kept a journal since she was ten. Since 1983 she has been chronicling the lives of various characters in the fictionalized “Dykes to Watch Out For” strip, “one of the preeminent oeuvres in the comics genre, period” (Ms.). The strip is syndicated in 50 alternative newspapers, translated into multiple languages, and collected into a book series with a quarter of a million copies in print. Utne magazine has listed DTWOF as “one of the greatest hits of the twentieth century.”

Her books and collections of some of her comic strips are available in English on Amazon. Some books have also been translated into German.

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Note: All of these books are available at Amazon. Many which were by traditional publishers and small sapphic presses are available both directly from the publisher and at all other major retailers. Over time, we’ll add the top scoring books to this site with all purchase links from the publishers and all retailers, followed later by links to and/or pages for all of the other award winning books. This is a major undertaking as I do it all by hand. I wanted to get the list out to you as soon as I could. We’ve included the publisher information. Please shop for these bo wherever you feel comfortable.

The Amazon links here are affiliate links. We (this site/Erin and I) earn a small commission if you purchase a book. Those commissions help to defray the cost of maintaining this site and sending out the weekly newsletter.

The authors appreciate your support and we at MyQueerSapphFic do too! Thank you for reading and loving sapphic literature!

~Anne

Mystery Suspense Thriller Short Story Giveaway

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Mystery, thriller, suspense giveaway banner

Do you like your mystery, thriller, and suspense stories to have sapphic characters? If you do, and you haven’t heard about this giveaway yet, it’s your lucky day.

Seven authors, myself included (Anne here. Hi!) penned original short stories or novellas to give away for a limited time. The giveaway ends July 5th.

You can go right to the giveaway page here, or read on below for my brief review of each story. For those of you leaving, enjoy!

The reviews:

Hunting You DownMy own book in the giveaway is called, Hunting You Down. It’s suspense with a little bit of thriller rather than my usual mystery. I won’t review my own work, of course, but I will say this story was a departure from what I had planned…something my loyal mystery readers will benefit from later.

I started writing a short story for this months ago, when I first put the giveaway together. It quickly became apparent that my ‘short story’ was going to become novel length. It grew to over 30,000 words before I set it aside for later and started another short story featuring the detective character from the first story.

That second story got away from me too. You see, I don’t plot short stories like I (meticulously) plot novels. In fact, I don’t plot them at all. I just let them flow, and flow it did. So much so that 14,000 words in I was just getting started. That short story will now be a prequel novel for an all new series that will start coming out in 2025 and the original short story turned novel I started will be the first book in the series. Stay tuned!

I had to get completely away from my love of investigations to arrive at a true (and finished!) short story for this giveaway. I hope you like it. I’m interested in what you think about the ending. Love it? Hate it? Either way, I’d love to hear it.

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Exes and LiesMy good friend Barbara Winkes is one of the few people I know with a longer sapphic mystery/suspense/romantic suspense series than I have. Her Carpenter and Harding series is at 15 books. Plus, she’s started a couple of other series in similar veins too. She’s always busy writing and she has many, many books out and in the works, but she managed to contribute a story for each previous giveaway and now one for this one she’s contributed, Exes and Lies.

The story starts off seemingly tame, moves into suspense, then becomes a real thriller. The couple in the story? They have issues and needs only a full length book (or three) will resolve. Barbara really needs to add writing a book for this couple to her to do list…but it will probably be romance. Hopefully, the suspense/thriller days for Pax and Ashton end with this short!

In a total coincidence, which we had a back and forth email conversation about, Pax is the name of the detective in the mystery short stories turned novels I started a few months ago then set aside to publish in 2025. Small world. Great minds…pick your cliché!

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Friends in NeedI admit to not having read any of Elliott Hay’s work prior to reading this short prequel story, Friends in Need, because there’s no mystery work released yet. I pre-ordered the first novel in her series (only $.99 right now) and I’ll read it when it releases July 11th. I’m looking forward to it. Elliott also publishes gender bendy Sci-fi as Si Clark.

This story is a great introduction to the ‘grannies,’ Madge, Peggy and Carole, and the hurting friend they try to help, Gertie. There’s a riddle in the names there that comes out in the story…but if you can’t glean it from what I’ve given you, you’ll have to read the book.

The premise is these friends have a little knitting club that meets at a café, and they murder people when necessary, only this time, murder isn’t an option because that might do more harm than good for Gertie. I love the premise for the series, and I can identify with the reason they can’t do what they would normally do in Gertie’s case…but I can’t tell you why I identify without giving a chunk of the plot away. Let’s just say, they come up with a unique solution to the problem.

Please be sure and read through to the acknowledgements portion of this short. You’ll get some insight into Elliott’s creation of the characters and the upcoming series.

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Skull CastleOcean and I have been friends for a long time. Back in 2019, pre-covid, we sat down at the Pittsburgh GCLS conference and made plans to write a series together. Covid messed that all up and, it would seem, the time for the idea that was hot at the time has now passed. Maybe someday we’ll revisit it.

Ocean can be an enigma. She writes imaginative fiction (Lesbian Sasquatch, anyone?). She writes poetry. Mostly, she writes horror. It’s not blood curdling horror, but she sure knows how to give you the creeps.

Ocean participated in the first original short story giveaway we did. Her story was a little more horror than mystery or suspense, but you could definitely put it in the thriller category.

She’s back for our third giveaway and this time she’s written a full on suspense story with Skull Castle that will have you thinking everything is fine until about half way through. At that point, you’re going to think one character is nuts for doing the things she does, especially if you’ve read any of Ocean’s horror work, and you’re going to question the sanity of the other main character for going along with it. The payoff is worth it though. You’ll be shaking your head that you didn’t put it all together a lot sooner.

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An Uncanny ResemblanceCade Haddock Strong, like Ocean, participated in the first original story giveaway and now she’s back for the third one. We’re happy to have her back too!

Cade’s story, An Uncanny Resemblance, has some themes that are similar to another story in this round of books. I don’t want to be a spoiler, so I’ll let you dear readers figure out which one…

One of the requirements of this particular giveaway, other than the story being either mystery, thriller, or suspense, is the story must be ‘sapphic.’ There is indeed a sapphic main character in this story, but her sexuality is not at all the focus of the story. That’s a constant debate among readers who lean more toward romance versus those who have a preference for mysteries and thrillers. Romance readers tend to feel overt/pervasive sexuality is what makes a book sapphic, whereas many mystery, suspense, and thriller readers  don’t care to see it on the page unless it fits in the story. Those of you in the former camp will be disappointed with this story. The rest of you will enjoy it.

Cade has published six full length novels with Bella Books. You can see and purchase her work there or with most online retailers, including Amazon.

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The Birder MurdersLori G. Matthews is new to these mystery, suspense, thriller promotions, and apparently to the genre as well. She’s previously published romance novels with Bella Books. Known for her romantic comedy, she brought those writing chops to this short, entertaining mystery, The Birder Murders.

In another round of ‘great minds think alike’ this story has a few things in common with Ocean’s story. It also has characters that are 40+ like in my story, though age doesn’t come out until well into this story. You’ll like these ladies. In fact, one of them finds herself liking the other in spite of herself.

If you’re into birds, this will be a great story for you. If you’re not, you’ll learn some new things, like the concept of a ‘big year.’ I had an inkling what it might be but I still looked it up! Google is your friend.

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Nefarious IntentLast, but by no means least, is a story from fairly new friend to me, someone I’ve come to know and worked with a little over the past year, Edale Lane, with Nefarious Intent. Edale has the same problem I do; she has trouble writing ‘short’ works. She tends to run long too. We almost didn’t get a story out of her for this giveaway and that would have been a shame.

Her story is reminiscent of a work by Barbara Winkes, Amber Alert, but it’s also very different. If you’ve read that, you’ll find some of the same themes running through this story. Too, the ending is similar, but also different. The investigator in Barbara’s story wasn’t sapphic but some victims were. Here, both sides are sapphic.

Like Barbara, I’d like to see Edale take two of these characters and carry on with them and that’s all I’m going to say!

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This giveaway runs through July 5th. After that, the authors can do with their stories as they wish. Some may continue to give them away. Some may not. Why take a chance?

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