Using Awards Lists As a RA Tool: Lambda Literary Awards

This is part of my ongoing series on using Awards Lists as a RA tool. Click here for all posts in the series in reverse chronological order. Click here for the first post which outlines the details how to use awards lists as a RA tool. 

This weekend, the Lambda Literary award winners will be announced. From the organization's "Mission" page because they are 100% about more than the awards they give out:

For over 30 years, Lambda Literary has championed LGBTQ books and authors. No other organization in the world serves LGBTQ writers and readers more comprehensively than Lambda Literary. We believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer literature is fundamental to the preservation of our culture, and that LGBTQ lives are affirmed when our stories are written, published, and read.

But the awards are their big event. And in true Becky fashion, I am featuring this award a few days BEFORE they announce this year's winners. 

Why? [If you are asking, you are clearly new here. But that is okay.]

Because for your work, the winners are less important than the finalist lists, and with 24 categories and 34 years of finalists the Lambda Literary Awards give you many options of sure bet, critically acclaimed titles  across the LGBTQ spectrum.

Click here for this years finalists.

And here for easy access to 34 years of finalists and winners with an easy to use database of drop down menus which allow you to mix and match all of the categories.

Need a list of vetted transgender nonfiction? Click here. You want only LGBTQ debuts? Click here. You want Lesbian SF/F? Click here. You get the point.

For many years, Lambda Literary was one of the only resources I had to identify LGBTQ titles for my collection beyond the few gay and lesbian mysteries that were being covered in the mainstream review journals. As I worked to get comprehensive LGBTQ representation in my collection, this was my go-to resource, especially when I also had collection responsibilities for adult biography.

So check back Monday on their site to see who won if you are interested, but for our RA purposes, it is the finalists lists-- now and those from pervious years-- that are the most useful.