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| RITA Awards Credit: Creative Commons Attribution License photo by A writer afoot - Tonight the winners of the 2011 Ritas will be announced. More than 80 books in 12 categories have been named finalists for the coveted statuette that, despite its acronymic appearing official designation as the RITA®, is named for Rita Clay Estrada, the first president of RWA. For the first seven years, the award presented to the works of romance fiction deemed the best of the previous year’s offerings was called the Golden Medallion. It didn’t become the RITA until 1990. The number of categories has fluctuated from a low of six the first year (1983) to a high of thirteen as recently as 2006. Comparisons to the Oscars are common but a bit misleading for literalists. Both finalists and winners are selected by a panel of judges. At no point do the members of RWA vote on winners. This fact should not dim the luster of the award nor detract from the excitement of the finalists or the glory of the winners. It certainly doesn’t affect my eagerness to know the winners. I’m a sucker for award shows, and if I were running the universe, tonight’s awards would be televised--complete with red carpet scrutiny and post-award interviews. But I’ll have to be satisfied with the tweets that will come as the announcements are made and the pictures that will be posted later. I have my ballot marked with projected winners, and I have favorites, who shall remain nameless, for whom I’m keeping all appendages crossed. This year for the first time I remember I’ve read at least one book in each category, a total of thirty-three books. I read somewhere that reading sixteen RITA-nominated books qualified one as a RITA stalker. I guess I’m over-qualified. Best First Book: Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner; When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer Contemporary Series Romance: Welcome Home, Cowboy by Karen Templeton Contemporary Series Romance Suspense/Adventure: The Moon That Night by Helen Brenna; Perfect Partners? By C. J. Carmichael Contemporary Single Title Romance: Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts; Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson; Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis; Still the One by Robin Wells Historical Romance: The Forbidden Rose by Joanna Bourne; His at Night by Sherry Thomas; A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James; Last Night’s Scandal by Loretta Chase; A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl; One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick; Open Country by Kaki Warner Inspirational Romance: Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist; Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander Novel with Strong Romantic Elements: The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourne; On Folly Beach by Karen White; The Search by Nora Roberts; Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas Paranormal Romance: Immortal Sea by Virginia Kantra Regency Historical Romance: His Christmas Pleasure by Cathy Maxwell; The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig; Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean; Provocative in Pearls by Madeline Hunter; To Surrender to a Rogue by Cara Elliott; Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare; When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer; The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice Romance Novella: “A Dundee Christmas” by Brenda Novak in That Christmas Feeling Romantic Suspense: Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire Young Adult Romance: Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder You can see the full list of finalists here. I’ll also be watching for the Golden Heart announcements and cheering for Banditas Anna Sugden and Nancy Northcott and for new Samhain author Leigh LaValle. Are you excited about the RITA Awards? How many of this year’s finalists have you read? Care to share which finalists would evoke your loudest cheers should they win? Who were you surprised to see not on the list of 2011 finalists? |
Friday, July 1, 2011
Ruminating 'Bout the RITAs
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7 comments:
I feel like I haven't read nearly as many as I'd like to. :) But I'm thrilled for everyone, and while I'll be watching "live" via Twitter, I'm with you -- it would be wonderful to see it all televised. :)
Donna
You're a romance writer's ideal reader! or a romance slut. Take your choice. "G"
I'm cheering Nancy and the wordwenches tonight! Go wenches and bandits!
Donna, wouldn't it be fun if we could have viewing parties?
The list always makes me aware of all that I haven't read. I usually have read a fair number among the contemporary, historical, and Regency historical single title finalists, and since novel with strong romantic elements often includes mystery and women's fiction books, other genres that I read frequently, I can count on having read some in that category. But there are many categories in which my reading is thin.
LOL Pat, I'll take "ideal reader." But since I buy mostly by author and follow autobuy authors into subgenres I don't often read, I may be a romance slut. I also read many books recommended by friends. My reading friends range from a 14-year-old cousin to a 90-year-old neighbor, so I'm an eclectic reader. :)
Janga, I think they should have a Red Carpet too. This photo hound would be truly appreciative. The finalists are seated in a separate area of the ballroom that non-finalists aren't allowed to enter and many of them hit the town after the ceremony so we didn't get to see them in all their finery. I ran into Helen Brenna and Jodi Thomas in the bar and captured photos of them with their Ritas but missed seeing most of the finalists.
It was a lovely ceremony and Meg Cabot was awesome as the host. She's a natural! I had several favorites in the finals with many competing against one another. I was thrilled to see Virginia Kantra win!
PJ, I've loved all your photos I've seen, and I look forward to seeing more. Toni Blake has posted some great shots too. I think all the sharing made possible by technology makes the awards more intersting and exciting for readers.
I thought about you when Kaki Warner's win was announced. I knew you were cheering loudly for that one. I was pleased with Virginia Kantra's win too and also with Karen Templeton's. All the tweets about it really made me want to hear Sherry Thomas's speech. I think she's definitely headed for the Hall of Fame.
Janga, I was probably the loudest person in the room when Kaki Warner's name was announced!
Sherry Thomas's acceptance speech was wonderful and I agree with you on the Hall of Fame. Definitely headed in that direction!
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