Romance Writers of America (RWA) Awards
The RITA® is awarded by the Romance Writers of America to the best romance fiction in a given year. 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.
From its introduction in 1982 until 1989, the RITA® was known as The Golden Medallion. The current award is a gold statue.
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.
- Best First Novel - 1991
- Best First Book - 1990
- Best Romance - 1990
- Series Historical - 1991
- Historical Series - 1990
- Category Historical - 1982
- Single Title Historical - 1991
- Historical Single Title - 1990
- Historical - 1984
- Mainstream Historical -1982
- Inspirational - 1985
- Long Contemporary - 1985
- Contemporary 65-80,000 words - 1984
- Regency - 1985
- Romantic Suspense - 1990
- Suspense - 1989
- Short Contemporary - 1985
- Contemporary Under 65,000 words - 1984
- Contemporary Sensual - 1983
- Contemporary Sweet - 1983
- Category Contemporary - 1982.
- Single Title Contemporary - 1990
- Single Title - 1989
- Single Title Release - 1986
- Contemporary Mainstream - 1982
- Traditional - 1984
- Young Adult - 1983