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

• 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.

• Best First Book - 2004
  • First Book - 1993
  • Best First Novel - 1991
  • Best First Book - 1990
• RWA's Favorite Book - 1998
  • Best Romance - 1990
• Best Paranormal Romance - 2004
  • Paranormal - 1996, 2003
  • Paranormal Romance - 2002
  • Paranormal/Fantasy/Time Travel - 1995
  • Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal - 1992
• Short Historical - 1996, 2003
  • Short Historical Romance - 2002
  • Historical - 1984, 1995
  • Historical Series - 1990, 1994
  • Series Historical - 1991
  • Category Historical - 1982
• Long Historical - 1995, 2003
  • Long Historical Romance - 2002
  • Historical Single Title - 1990, 1994
  • Single Title Historical - 1991
  • Mainstream Historical -1982
• Best Inspirational Romance - 2004
  • Inspirational - 1985, 2003
  • Inspirational Romance - 2002
• Best Long Contemporary Series - 2004
  • Long Contemporary Series - 1997, 2002
  • Long Contemporary - 1985, 1998
  • Contemporary 65-80,000 words - 1984
• Regency - 1985, 2003
  • Regency Romance - 2002
• Best Romantic Novella - 2004
  • Romantic Novella - 2000
• Romantic Suspense - 1990
  • Suspense - 1989
• Best Short Contemporary Series - 2004
  • Short Contemporary - 1985, 1999, 2003
  • Short Contemporary Series - 1997, 2002
  • Contemporary Under 65,000 words - 1984
  • Contemporary Sensual - 1983
  • Contemporary Sweet - 1983
  • Category Contemporary - 1982
• Contemporary Single Title - 1994
  • Single Title Contemporary - 1990
  • Single Title - 1989
  • Single Title Release - 1986
  • Contemporary Mainstream - 1982
• Best Traditional Romance - 2004
  • Traditional - 1984, 2003
  • Traditional Romance - 2002
• Young Adult - 1983