I hope Candy’s bitchfork is polished and her torch ready to be set aflame, as the RWA Board has released their recommendations for changes to the RITA™ and Golden Heart™ awards process. Included in these edits are changes to the categories for entry.
This material is only available on the RWA website for registered members. So I’m posting below what I transcribed, and if they ask me to take it down since it is ostensibly protected content, I will. I know that they’ll be sending it to me in writing sometime soon, so we’ll see what happens.
Aside from the questions addressing who can enter, when were they published and should they drop the lowest score the meatier part falls later: reformation of contest categories.
These recommendations are open for input from the members until May 15 (hurry up and get articulate) and will be discussed and voted into policy at the July board meeting. I think my flight arrives just in time for me to roll into the board meeting (literally!) as one travel-rumpled Smart Bitch.
The board also recommends eliminating the “Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements” from the Golden Heart - though that will remain as a RITA category.
And then comes a whole mess of bold face, underlined, struck and edited text and omg I need more caffeine. In a paragraph that could have stood for a bit of clarity and editing, the board writes:
Judging on the romance? Or judging on the quality of the writing? Or both? Grk!
And onward into the part wherein I need more coffee omg move out of my way. The board recommends the following changes:
Best Short Contemporary -
The old definition as per the RWA website: Romantic novels released as individual titles, not as part of a series. The word count for those novels is over 70,000.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Recommended Change: “romantic novels which focus almost exclusively on the hero/heroine relationship, usually with only one main storyline, very limited subplots and in which the level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “In this category, the love story is the principle focus of the novel, and the ending is emotionally satisfying. Such novels are typically 40,000 to 65,000 words, consistent with, but not confined to, shorter series lines. Entries are not required to be series romances as long as they meet the stated definition. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
Best Long Contemporary -
The old definition: Romantic novels in which sensuality may constitute a strong element in the romance. The word count for these novels is over 70,000 words.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Recommended Change: “Romantic novels which focus primarily on the hero/heroine relationship, but often with a more complex structure than short contemporary, with at least one subplot, secondary characters and points of view and in which the level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging guideline Recommendation: “Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the principle focus of the novel, and the end is emotionally satisfying. Novels with this level of complexity are typically 60,000 – 85,000 words, consistent with, but not confined to, longer series lines. Entries are not required to be series romances as long as they meet the stated definition. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
Best Contemporary Single Title -
The old definition: Romantic novels released as individual titles, not as part of a series. The word count for those novels is over 70,000.
Recommended Change: “Romantic novels which focus primarily on the hero/heroine relationship, but often with a more complex structure than short or long contemporary. These novels may contain one or more subplots, several secondary characters, and multiple points of view, and in which the level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “In this category, the love story is the principle focus of the novel and the ending is emotionally satisfying. Novels with this level of complexity are typically 80,000 words and up. In most cases, these are not series lines novels; however any novel may be entered as long as it meets the stated definition. These novels may or may not contain a high
level of sexuality.”
Best Young Adult Romance -
The old definition: Romantic novels geared to young adult readers. The word count for YA novels is a minimum of 25,000 words.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Recommended Change: “Novels with a strong romantic theme geared toward young adult readers and in which the level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is an important element of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. The minimum word count for YA novels is 40,000 words. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
Additional information from the RWA Board: “Rationale for changing Young Adult category: The Young Adult novel is our best way to guide young readers toward adult romance. Most novels are geared more to the teenager’s journey and the story is not exclusively focused on the romance. However, these novels are still required to contain a significant romance in order to enter this category.”
Best Short Historical Romance
The old definition: Novels or sagas which have a strong romantic element throughout. The word count for these novels is 40,000-95,000 words.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Recommended Changes:
New Title: Best Historical Romance to 1820
Description: “Romantic historical novel with a primary setting up to the year 1820. The story may take place at any geographic location. The level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “In this category, the story takes place primarily in years through 1820. The love story is the main focus of the novel and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. If a book spans many years, the author should best determine the category in which it belongs. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
Best Long Historical Romance
The old definition: Romantic novels in which sensuality may constitute a strong element in the romance. The word count for these novels is over 70,000 words.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying
Recommended Changes:
New Title: Best Historical Romance from 1790-1945
Description: “Romantic historical novel with a primary setting in the years 1790 through 1945. The story may take place at any geographic location. The level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “In this category, the story takes place primarily in years 1790 through 1945. In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. If a book spans many years, the author should best determine the category in which it belongs. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
Explanation from RWA Board (yes please, why the historical overlap?): “Rationale for changing historical categories: Again, the board wished to eliminate the word count problem. With numbers dwindling, we examined merging both short and long historical into one category but felt that the historical novel could grow in the future. We hoped to allow for the change in popularity of one time period over another by providing overlapping years. An author whose book spans many years should determine where the novel best fits.”
Best Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance -
Old Definition: Romantic novels in which suspense is a major element of the plot. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 40,000 words.
Judging Guidelines: In this category, a suspense plot is blended with a love story, which is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Recommended Changes: “Romantic novels in which suspense is a major element of the plot.The level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “In this category, a suspense plot is blended with a love story, which is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
Best Paranormal Romance -
Old Definition: Time Travel, Futuristic, Fantasy, Paranormal. Romantic novels in which the future, a fantasy world, or paranormal happenings are a major element of the plot. These may be single-title releases or books published within established category romance lines fitting other category descriptions. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 40,000.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Recommended Changes: “Time Travel, Futuristic, Fantasy, Paranormal – romantic novels in which either the future, a fantasy world or paranormal happenings are a major element of the plot. The level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, but alternate worlds or paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot. The end of the book is emotionally satisfying. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
Best Inspirational Romance -
Old Definition: Romantic novels in which one or more characters’ religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of their developing relationship, not merely a minor element or subplot. All inspirational books, set in any place or era, shall be eligible for this category. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 40,000 words.
Judging guidelines: In this category, one or more characters’ religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are blended with and form a significant and substantial part of the love story, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Recommended Changes: “romantic novels in which one or more characters’ religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of their the developing relationship between the hero/heroine. These books may be set in any time period or setting. The level of sexuality is usually non-explicit but may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
(To Which Sarah Said Out Loud: AWWWW YEAH BABY INSPIE HOT SEXX0RING! WOOT!)
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “In this category, one or more characters’ religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are integral to the hero/heroine relationship. The end of the book is emotionally satisfying. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements -
Old Definition: A work of fiction not belonging in another category that contains a strong romantic element, such that one or more romances contained in the story form an integral part of the story’s structure, but in which other themes or stories may also be significantly developed. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 80,000 words.
Judging guidelines: Any kind of fiction, of any tone or style and set in any place or time, is eligible for this category. The romantic elements, while not the primary focus of the story, should be an integral and dynamic part of the plot or subplot. The NR term does not apply to this category. Instead, the book may be judged NSRE (no strong romantic elements).
Recommended Changes: “A work of fiction not belonging in another category that contains a strong romance that forms an integral part of the story’s structure, but in which other themes or stories may also be significantly developed. The level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “Any kind of fiction, of any tone or style and set in any place or time, is eligible for this category. The romance, while not the primary focus of the story, must be an integral and dynamic part of the plot or subplot. The Not a Romance (NR term does not apply to this category. Instead, the book may be judged No Strong Romantic Elements (NSRE) . These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.
Best First Book -
Old Definition: A full-length book entered in any of the other Contest categories, except Novella, which is the author’s first published novel shall be eligible for this award. If entered by a writing team, the book must be the first published novel for all members of the team.
Recommended Changes: “A full-length book entered in any of the other contest categories, and is the author’s first published novel from any publisher in any format shall be eligible for this award. If entered by a writing team, the book must be the first published novel for all members of the team. The level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.”
Judging Guideline Recommendation: “Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.”
You get all that? Holy cow.
Upon first reading and transcribing, my reaction? “We Are All Erotica!” The changes make room for erotica/romantica in every category (even Inspirational and I’m still giggling about that - “Oh God, Oh God” indeed!) and I can see why. How would RWA define a category of “Best Erotica?” Number of times the word “cock” is mentioned? Frequency of weeping overwrought va-hay-jays? “Romantic story with a driving sexual storyline (hur hur) in addition to the romantic storyline?” That could encompass stories that deal with sexual manipulation but aren’t erotica.
By making room for erotica in every category, there’s room, it would seem, for erotica authors to enter their books based on subject matter and plot - and let’s face it. Recent kerfluffles have addressed the lack of plot in some erotica releases of recent note, and those who crave good erotica say it’s not all about the Benjamins. It’s about plot AND sexuality.
WILL these changes make room for erotica in every category? Will erotica be found in next year’s finalists? Time will tell, I guess.
But let me just send up a hearty, “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” at the noted absence of “Best Gay/Lesbian Romance” - and lemme do it again: “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
While there’s no restriction on the gender of the romantic pairing, and the category descriptions leave room for the protagonists to be homosexual or heterosexual, allow me to don my Cape of Hypocritical Bitch and say, “BOOOOOOO!” one more time.
I’m cautiously optimistic about erotica and romantica finding a place in the finalist list next year in any category, but I’m not so optimistic about there being a gay romance appearing in that list.
Why? Because let’s be honest: past shenanigans paint a fairly clear message that gays=not always the most welcome. Sex has demonstrated that It Sells Well Holy Cow. Harder to ignore that.
Should Gay/Lesbian romance be judged separately? Or is that a condescending slap in the face of gay & lesbian romance - that somehow the romantic encounter between two men or two women is “different” than the romantic encounter between a man and a woman?
Ideally, Gay/Lesbian romance SHOULDN’T be an independent category, and shouldn’t have to be in the first place. But here’s my worry: so far, I’m down with this particular board. I’d buy it a big, big beer. And what these recommendations do is leave room for erotica and Gay/Lesbian romance by not defining (wisely) the gender or sex of the protagonists. What they don’t and can’t do is predict how these recommendations will be interpreted by future boards. There have been some hellabad presidents with agendas that made my hair curl and in the hands of the contest coordinators appointed by similar presidents? These recommendations are vague enough to exclude Gay & Lesbian romance easily and quietly. And in my opinion, including it is too important to leave it out. But therein you see very plainly my particular political agenda.
I’m well aware of the flaw in my reaction here - I’m ok with the inclusion of a Sex-o-meter that allows for erotic content in every category (Even Inspie HAHAHAH) but I’m not ok with the exclusion of Gay/Lesbian Romance as an independent category. And it does beg the question - do there have to be “African American” “Asian” “Latina” “Lithuanian” “Mutant Goatse” romance categories if there’s a Gay/Lesbian category? If they represent one minority with a category for independent judging, do they then have to represent them all? Difficult prospect, I realize.
Taking into account past history and agendas espoused by the past presidents, I’m dismayed that there wasn’t more of a declaration in terms of Gay/Lesbian romance. But on the whole (and in the hole), I’m pleased that there’s room for a variation in sexual content in each category.
