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.
Contents
RITA® Winners
- 2012 RITA® Winners and Finalists - awards given in July 2012
- 2011 RITA® Winners and Finalists - awards given in July 2011
- 2010 RITA® Winners and Finalists - awards given in July 2010
- 2009 RITA® Winners and Finalists - awards given in July 2009
- 2008 RITA® Winners and Finalists - awards given in August 2008
- 2007 RITA® Winners and Finalists - awards given in July 2007
- 2006 RITA® Winners and Finalists
- 2005 RITA® Winners and Finalists
- 2004 RITA® Winners and Finalists
- 2003 RITA® Winners and Finalists
- 2002 RITA® Winners and Finalists
- 2001 RITA® Winners and Finalists
- 2000 RITA® Winners
- 1999 RITA® Winners
- 1998 RITA® Winners and Finalists
- 1997 RITA® Winners and Finalists
- 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.
- RITA®: Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements - 2004
- RITA®: Best First Book - 1990, 2004
- RWA's Favorite Book - 1998
- RITA®: Best Contemporary Series Romance - 2008
- RITA®: Best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure - 2008
- RITA®: Best Paranormal Romance - 2004
- RITA®: Best 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 Historical Romance - 2008
- 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®: Best Young Adult Romance - 1983
RITA® Authors
For a list of authors who have won RITA awards, see category:RITA Winners.