Romance Writers of America (RWA) Awards

The RITA® is an award given by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) to the best romance fiction in a given year published by an RWA-recognized publisher. Named after RWA’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada, the RITA® is the highest honor a romance author can receive. Published authors judge entrants in 12 categories. The finalists are generally announced toward the end of March. Winners are announced at RWA's Annual Conference held during the summer.

From its introduction in 1982 until 1989, the RITA® was known as The Golden Medallion. The current award is a gold statue.

RITA® Winners

• 2008 RITA® Nominees
• 2007 RITA® Winners and Nominees - awards given in July, 2007
• 2006 RITA® Winners
• 2005 RITA® Winners
• 2004 RITA® Winners
• 2003 RITA® Winners
• 2002 RITA® Winners
• 2001 RITA® Winners
• 2000 RITA® Winners
• 1999 RITA® Winners
• 1998 RITA® Winners
• 1997 RITA® Winners
• 1996 RITA® Winners
• 1995 RITA® Winners
• 1994 RITA® Winners
• 1993 RITA® Winners
• 1992 RITA® Winners
• 1991 RITA® Winners
• 1990 RITA® Winners

Golden Medallion Winners

• 1989 Golden Medallion Winners
• 1988 Golden Medallion Winners
• 1987 Golden Medallion Winners
• 1986 Golden Medallion Winners
• 1985 Golden Medallion Winners
• 1984 Golden Medallion Winners
• 1983 Golden Medallion Winners
• 1982 Golden Medallion Winners

RITA® / Golden Medallion Categories

RITA® categories have evolved and changed over the years in order to better reflect the changing romance market. The year indicated is the first year the category was included in the awards. If it appears that a category was changed or renamed, the original category is grouped with the current category.

• Novel With Strong Romantic Elements - 2004
• RITA®: Best First Book - 1990, 2004
• RWA's Favorite Book - 1998
• RITA®: Contemporary Series Romance - 2008
• RITA®: Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure - 2008
• RITA®: Best Paranormal Romance - 2004
• RITA®: Historical Romance
• RITA®: Best Short Historical Romance
• RITA®: Best Long Historical Romance - 2004
• RITA®:Best Inspirational Romance - 2004
• RITA®: Best Long Contemporary Series - 2004
• RITA®: Best Regency Romance - 2004
• RITA®: Best Romantic Novella - 2004
• RITA®: Best Romantic Suspense
• RITA®: Best Short Contemporary Series - 2004
• RITA®: Best Contemporary Single Title - 2004
• RITA®: Best Traditional Romance - 2004
• RITA®: Young Adult - 1983

RITA® Authors

For a list of authors who have won RITA awards, see category:RITA Winners.