Cleis Press Nominated for Three Goldie Awards

The progressive publisher Cleis Press has been nominated for three Golden Crown Awards, representing the best of lesbian literature, for titles including two lesbian erotic romance collections, and an LGBT mystery title.

"2014 has truly been a banner year for Cleis for nominations and awards," said Brenda Knight, publisher of Cleis Press. "I can't help but note that certain books are getting a lot of attention, simply because they are the best. Laura Antoniou's rare and wonderful mystery, 'The Killer Wore Leather' was nominated for both a Lammy and a Goldie, and we couldn't be more thrilled. The core character, Detective Rebecca Feldblum, is not just covering a case but falling in love, setting up the sequel very nicely."

"The Killer Wore Leather," was nominated for best Mystery/Thriller. This book has also already won a Rainbow Book Award, and is nominated for a Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Award, and a Lambda Literary Award.

Also nominated are "Best Lesbian Romance 2014," edited by Radclyffe, nominated for best Anthology/Collection (Fiction); and "Wild Girls, Wild Nights," edited by Sacchi Green, nominated for Best Erotica.

"Sacchi Green has been a Goldie nominee before, but 'Wild Girls, Wild Nights' is a very different book that she's ever edited or written, and a very different book for Cleis to publish; it's nonfiction, true love confessions executed so perfectly she won a Lammy," said Knight. "And Radclyffe, editor of 'Best Lesbian Romance 2013,' is simply legendary. There is no one better at lesbian romance on planet Earth. We are always delighted for Radclyffe's excellence to be recognized."

Cleis Press publishes provocative, intelligent books across genres, including literary fiction, human rights, mystery, romance, erotica, LGBTQ studies, sex guides, pulp fiction and memoir.

The Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) is a non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is for the education, promotion, and recognition of lesbian fiction and creative non-fiction. They provide learning opportunities, encouragement and assistance to new and established authors in developing their craft; support and strengthen quality lesbian writing by providing educational programs and creating opportunities for readers and writers to interact; and recognize and promote lesbian literary work.

In 2005, the first Goldie awards were given in four categories (romance, mystery/thriller, sci-fi/fantasy, and debut author). As of 2014, Goldies are given in 13 regular categories plus four special awards.

Cleis Press is celebrating Pride Month with a brand new project, called Out Writers. Join a tide of queer voices in celebrating the importance of LGBTQ writing.

"To get involved, take a moment to share a sentence or two about why queer writers are important, and/or what it means to you to write as LGBTQ author, and use the hashtag #OutWriters on Twitter or Facebook," said Knight. "We've already gotten a ton of exciting responses."