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NRCA Category Descriptions and
Judging Guidelines
For the purposes of the
NATIONAL READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS:
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A
“Novella” is a
work of fictional narrative prose in the romance genre typically
20,000–40,000 words long. A Novella may be included with other
novellas in a longer work. Only the novella entered in the NRCA
will be judged.
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A
“Novel” is a work
of fictional narrative prose in the romance genre of at least
40,000 words as determined by computer word count. Novel entries
with word counts less than 40,000 will be disqualified.
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“Series” is defined
as those books issued under a common imprint/series name that
are usually numbered sequentially and released at regular
intervals, usually monthly, with the same number of releases
each time.
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All categories may
have varying levels of sensuality, ranging from sweet to
extremely hot, with the Erotic category topping out the heat
level.
Contemporary Series Romance:
Series
romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic
relationship.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is
the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is
emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Contemporary Series
Romance: Suspense/Adventure: Series romance novels that
focus primarily on the romantic relationship but may have more
complex suspense or adventure subplots.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the
main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally
satisfying and optimistic.
Contemporary Single Title Romance: Romance novels that
focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as
individual titles, not as part of a series.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is
the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is
emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Erotic:
A romance novel where the sexuality goes beyond that of most
romance novels and may use sexually
explicit language, but the romance is still the core of the
book. Can be in contemporary, historical or paranormal settings.
Judging guidelines:
In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel,
and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Historical Romance: Romance novels
set in any time period prior to 1945, and taking place in any
location.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is
the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is
emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Inspirational Romance: Romance
novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context
of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of
the romantic relationship.
Judging guidelines: In this category, religious or
spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual
belief system) are blended with and form a significant part of
the love story, and the end of the book is emotionally
satisfying and optimistic.
Novel with Strong Romantic
Elements: A work of fiction in which a romance plays a
significant part in the story, but other themes or elements take
the plot beyond the traditional romance boundaries.
Judging guidelines: Novels of any tone or style, set in
any place or time are eligible for this category. A romance must
be an integral part of the plot or subplot, and the resolution
of the romance is emotionally satisfying.
Novella:
Novellas that focus
primarily on the romantic relationship.
Judging guidelines: In this category, a love story is the
main focus, and the ending is emotionally satisfying and
optimistic. Typically, the word count is 20,000–40,000 words.
Novellas may be part of an anthology but should be judged only
on its individual merits.
Paranormal Romance: Romance novels
in which the future, time travel, a fantasy world or paranormal
happenings are an integral part of the plot.
Judging guidelines: In this category, a futuristic, time
travel, fantasy, or paranormal element is blended with the love
story, which is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the
book is emotionally satisfying.
Romantic Suspense: Romance
novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements
constitute an integral part of the plot.
Judging guidelines: In this category, a
suspense/mystery/thriller plot is blended with a love story,
which is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is
emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Young Adult: Novels geared toward
young adult readers.
Judging guidelines: In this category, the character arc
is an important element of the novel, as is a voice and writing
style suitable to young adults.
Best First Book: A full-length
book entered in any of the other contest categories. To be
eligible, the author (or authors in the case of a writing team)
shall not have had any other novel or novella previously
published in any format. There is an additional entry free for
this category.
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