THE 2015 FINAL ROUND EDITORS

Why Resist a Rebel?
by Leah Ashton
Harlequin, KISS

CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE

Karen Reid ~ Associate Editor, Super Romance, Harlequin

Romantic series novels. If your manuscript is a series romantic suspense, you may enter the Contemporary Series category or the Romantic Suspense category. Please check our score sheets to see which benefits your writing. An example is the 2014 RWA RITA winnner: WHY RESIST A REBEL?

No Good Duke
Goes Unpunished
by Sarah MacLean
HarperCollins Publishers,
Avon Books

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Gabrielle Keck ~ Editorial Assistant, Avon / William Morrow

Romantic novels with non-contemporary settings, including regency & gothic romances. An example is the 2014 RWA RITA winnner: NO GOOD DUKE GOES UNPUNISHED.

Five Days in Skye
by Carla Laureano
David C. Cook

INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE

Raela Schoenherr ~ Bethany House

Romantic novels with an inspirational message/theme, including romantic suspense, historical, etc. An example is the 2014 RWA RITA winnner: FIVE DAYS IN SKYE.

The Haunting of
Maddy Clare
by Simone St. James
NAL

MAINSTREAM with ROMANTIC ELEMENTS

Laura Fazio ~ Assistant Editor, NAL

Novels that include an element of romance but in which traditional romance conventions are not followed and in which there are themes and conflicts beyond romance. Mainly women’s fiction and chick lit. An example is the 2013 RWA RITA winnner: THE HAUNTING OF MADDY CLAIRE.

SHATTER
by Erin McCarthy
Berkley Publishing

NEW ADULT

Julie Mianecki ~ Assistant Editor, Berkley

Novels appropriate for new adult readers. Includes heroes and heroines not exceeding 25 years of age. Novels similar to YA that can be published and marketed as adult—a sort of older YA market. New Adult fiction tends to focus on "first" experience issues. Some examples are leaving home, developing sexuality, negotiating education, first job or career choices. 

Off the Edge
by Carolyn Crane
Self-published

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Alex Logan - Editor, Grand Central Publishing

Romantic novels that include an element of mystery or suspense. Since the final round editor is from a single title publisher, contestants may want to enter series romantic suspense in the contemporary series category. An example is the 2014 RWA RITA winnner: 

Crazy Thing Called Love
by Molly O'Keefe
Random House Group,
Ballantine Bantam Dell

SINGLE TITLE ROMANCE

Madeleine Colavita Editorial Assistant, Grand Central Publishing

Romantic novels released as individual titles. An example is the 2014 RWA RITA winnner: CRAZY THING CALLED LOVE.

The Firebird
by Susanna Kearsley
Sourcebooks, Landmark

SPECIALIZED ROMANCE

Kristine Swartz ~ Assistant Editor, Berkley

Romantic novels of any time setting (historical or futuristic) with Alternate Earth Histories, Dystopian, Futuristic, Fantasy, Time Travel, Paranormal or Urban Fantasy. Please keep in mind that the emphasis should be on the romance. An example is the 2014 RWA RITA winnner: THE FIREBIRD.

The Farm
by Emily McKay
Berkley Publishing

YOUNG ADULT

Alice Jerman ~ Assistant Editor, HarperCollins 

Novels appropriate for young adult readers. Includes young adult heroes and heroines not exceeding 18 years of age. An example is the 2013 RWA RITA winnner: THE FARM.