Love Is in the Air
The RITA (Romance Is Treasured Always) Awards were presented at the 26th Annual Romance Writers of America National Conference in Atlanta on July 29. Although they tend to be overshadowed by other more “literary” awards, the RITAs are a big deal in romance publishing circles.
This year’s winners include:
- Romantic Suspense: Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb
- Inspirational Romance: Heavens to Betsy by Beth Pattillo
- Short Historical Romance: The Texan’s Reward by Jodi Thomas
- Contemporary Single Title: Lakeside Cottage (Susan Wiggs)
- Novel with Strong Romantic Elements: Lady Luck’s Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel
- Long Historical Romance: The Devil to Pay by Liz Carlyle (this book is on order—keep your eye on the catalog, it should show up shortly)
- Paranormal Romance: Gabriel’s Ghost by Linnea Sinclair (this one is also on order)
You’ll find the complete list of winners on the Romance Writers of America website.
Over 1,000 novels are nominated for the RITA each fall, and from those nominees, approximately 100 books are chosen as finalists the following spring. Nominations can be made by authors, editors, agents, or readers, but panels of
Romance Writers of America (RWA) authors select the finalists and winners. RITA winners don’t receive any money—just a golden statuette and the respect of their peers. An interesting note: despite being periodically overlooked by the publishing industry mainstream, the output of RWA authors represents 55% of all paperback fiction sold!
