The Golden Pen prizes are awarded annually, one for each of three literary genres: Poetry, Prose and Journalism. We hope to make The Golden Pen Literary Contest a tradition among Albanian writers in America.

Recipients of The Golden Pen, 2004
Journalism: Petraq Pali, for "Vise dhe njerëz Perëndie (Journalism)"
Journalism: Peter Prifti, for "Mozaik Shqiptar (Academic Journalism)"
Prose: Ramiz Gjini, for "Rrëketë (A Novel-Roman)"
Poetry: Adnan Meheti, for "Ikje nga Vetmia (Poetry)"

Recipients of The Golden Pen, 2003
Journalism: Gjeke Marinaj, for his collection of interviews, The Other Side of the Mirror
Prose: Naum Prifti, for his book of humorous tales, Neither Micho, nor Mucho
Poetry: Valter Lazeri, for his volume, Written in the Streets

The judges characterized Gjeke Marinaj's interviews in The Other Side of the Mirror as deeply transparent in terms of the relationship between interviewer and interviewee: The reader can easily relate to them. In all of the interviews by Marinaj, whether with an artist or a politician, an athlete or a statesman, a creative mind or one enmeshed in wars, including Albanians and non-Albanians, humanity takes precedence above all things.

This book invests the art of interviewing with poetry and would gain the respect and esteem of any jury. The judges' panel was also unanimous in its opinion that Naum Prifti's collection of humorous stories, Neither Micho, nor Mucho, signifies the work of a master craftsman who has earned his reputation as a venerable word artisan. The work abounds in humor that is illuminated by humane sentiments, including the vices and the virtues that constitute human nature. The subjects of the stories are skillfully chosen, and the language used is notable for its richness.

Valter Lazeri's poetry wins the reader with its sincerity, the economy of its verse, and its clarity of expression. Lazeri has found the lifeblood for his verse in life itself, which has imprinted his very essence on the page with its beauty and its deepest meanings. Written in the Streets is an invaluable, unforgettable contribution to Albanian poetry.

According to the reasoning of the panel of judges, expressed in writing and sent to the Directorate of the Society, participation in the literary contest was satisfactory in relation to the number of immigrant writers at present.