The finalists in the Romance Writers of America RITA and Golden Heart contests have been notified by phone calls and emails in the past 24 hours.
Super congratulations to the Australian and New Zealand finalists in these important awards:
RITA finalists, for best published novel:
Anna Campbell is a double finalist in the Regency Historical category, with Claiming the Courtesan AND Untouched
Emily Gee is a finalist in the book with Romantic Elements category, AND also best first book category, with (I think) Thief With No Shadow
Kelly Hunter is a finalist in the contemporary series romance category, with Sleeping Partner
Anne Gracie is a finalist in the historical category, with The Perfect Kiss
Golden Heart finalist, for best unpublished manuscript:
Tracey O’Hara, in the paranormal romance category, with Night’s Cold Kiss
Helene Young, in the romantic suspense category, with Beyond the Borders
The official list will be published at the Romance Writers of America website in the next day or so.
This is a fantastic achievement, and it’s great to again see so many Australians doing well in the major international awards for romantic fiction. The RWAmerica national conference – which culminates in the glamourous awards night – is on in San Francisco in late July, and I’ll be part of a large Australian contingent cheering my fellow DownUnderItes on!