13 Comments
Leave a Comment
Share:
The annual Romance Writers of America conference kicks off next Wednesday with a fabulous (and gigantic) book signing that benefits literacy. After a whirlwind of workshops, luncheons, and parties, the conference will conclude on Saturday night with an awards ceremony honoring the best unpublished and published romance novels with the Golden Heart and Rita awards.
I was wondering… how much you know about the history of the Rita award? Answer the following questions and post them to the blog, and I’ll draw a winner from those who have the most correct answers.
1. What was the original name of the RWA contest that “recognizes outstanding published romance novels and novellas”?
2. What year was it first awarded?
3. How many categories did it first have that first year?
4. How many categories does the Rita have this year?
5. What year did the contest’s name change to the Rita Award?
6. For whom is the Rita Award named?
7. What significant honor is bestowed upon authors who win three RITA Awards in a specific Rita category?
Leave your answers below, and I’ll post a winner soon.
Filed in: Fun,Nancy Robards Thompson
Jul 19th
2012
3:21 am
Melody May Said:
1. The Golden Medallion
2. 1982
3. there was 4 categories
4. there are 12 categories
5. name change happen in 1990
6. for the 1st president Rita Clay Estrada
7. that I have no clue
-
Jul 19th
2012
7:53 am
Laurie Said:
1. The Golden Medallion
2. 1982
3. 4 categories
4. 12 categories
5. 1990
6. Rita Clay Estrada
7. Hall of Fame
-
Jul 19th
2012
8:54 am
Connie Fischer Said:
1. The Golden Medallion
2. 1980
3. 4 categories
4. 12 categories
5. 1990
6. Rita Clay Estrada
7. RWA Hall of Fame
I would so love to go to RWA sometime. Hoping to go to San Antonio in 2014. While there, I would love to tour that wonderfully historic town and finally meet my friend and author, Karen Ranney.
-
Jul 19th
2012
10:43 am
CrystalGB Said:
1. The Golden Medallion
2. 1982
3. 4 categories
4. 12 categories
5. 1990
6. Rita Clay Estrada
7. RWA Hall of Fame
-
Jul 19th
2012
10:53 am
ChrisS Said:
Great questions. As a reader I had a lot of fun researching them and also learned so much the RWA and conference that I didn’t already know. I would love to attend an RWA conferences sometime.
1. Golden Medallion
2. 1982
3. 4
4. 12
5. 1990
6. Rita Clay Estrada- The first President.
7. RWA Hall Of Fame
-
Jul 19th
2012
10:58 am
Kristan Higgins Said:
Since I didn’t know any answers except the last one, I’m going with what everyone else said! I love watching the RITAs…especially when people cry or are funny. Good luck to all the nominees!
-
Jul 19th
2012
11:00 am
catslady Said:
I’m with Kristin – I’d be cheating if I said I already knew the answers and no point googling since they seemed to have gotten all the answers. It really is such an honor and I for won pay attention
-
Jul 19th
2012
12:10 pm
Shana Said:
Great blog!
1. Seems like I should know this.
2. Um, 1983? No idea.
3. I bet it had 2–contemporary and historical.
4. This year, I think it’s 19.
5. 1988? Again, no idea.
6. This I know! Rita Clay Estrada.
7. Waive the conference fee for life? If not, this should be the honor!
Don’t forget to post the answers!
-
Jul 19th
2012
1:45 pm
Lorelei Said:
OMG! This is so funny! I looked this up recently, because I wanted to know what year it was in Orlando!
!
1. Golden Medallion
2. 1980
3. 4?
4. 12??
5. I’m going with 1990
6. Rita Clay Estrada
7. RWA Hall of Fame
Thanks for the trivia Q’s. I’m always looking online for snippets of the awards, specially of my favorite authors! Have fun this year and good luck to all those nominated, you’re all winners to me
-
Jul 19th
2012
2:08 pm
Nancy Robards Thompson Said:
Good guesses, everyone! This is fun!
-
Jul 19th
2012
7:29 pm
bn100 Said:
1. The Golden Medallion
2. 1980
3. none
4. 12
5. 1990
6. RWA founder/first president Rita Clay Estrada
7. RWA Hall of Fame
-
Jul 20th
2012
8:32 am
Laurie Said:
Checked again.
1. What was the original name of the RWA contest that “recognizes outstanding published romance novels and novellas”? The Golden Medallion
2. What year was it first awarded? 1980
3. How many categories did it first have that first year?
no categories- just 1st, 2nd, 3rd places
4. How many categories does the Rita have this year? 12
5. What year did the contest’s name change to the Rita Award? 1990- 10th anniversary
6. For whom is the Rita Award named?
RWA Co-founders: Rita Gallager and her daughter Rita Clay Estrada
RWA had 2 divisions
Rita Gallager founded The Golden Heart for unpublished authors and Rita Clay Estrada founded the Golden Medallion for published writers
7. What significant honor is bestowed upon authors who win three RITA Awards in a specific Rita category?
RWA Hall of Fame
-
Jul 20th
2012
8:36 am
Laurie Said:
OOPS! Please change above answer
6)The award itself is a golden statuette named after RWA’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada, and has become the symbol for excellence in published romance fiction.
-