Skip to Main Content

RITA Awards

Award for English-language romance fiction, presented by the Romance Writers of America (RWA). Named for the RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada.

The RITA Awards
1982-2019

About the RITA Awards

The most prominent award for English-language romance fiction from 1990-2019.  The Purpose was to promote excellence in the romance genre by recognizing outstanding published novels and novellas.  Named for the RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada.  It was retired in 2020 with the last award given in 2019.  It was replaced by the Vivian Award, to be awarded for the first time in 2021.