About
**The 2026 Heart Awards
Opens to Entries
on January 1st, 2026!**
The Heart Awards is a contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild and is open to all romantic works of fiction in digital form.
Who Can Enter
Any author with a published novel or novella available in digital format that was originally published in 2025, is eligible to enter.
​
Any writer with an unpublished story that is edited and formatted according to the contest rules. (Any unpublished story that has NOT previously won a Heart Award Winner Trophy may be entered again.)
​
Open to Authors Worldwide, HOWEVER, winners unable to attend the Heart Awards Gala in person will receive a digital certificate in place of the trophy UNLESS they choose to pay the shipping to have the glass heart trophy shipped to their location.
​
Note: All published category entries must be publish ready, contain an original copyright date of 2025, and contain a cover.
What's Not Eligible
Absolutely NO AI-written books are eligible for entry in this contest.
​
An unpublished story that has won a Heart Award Trophy previously CANNOT be entered again in any unpublished category(they can, however, be entered in a published category once they reach publication.)
-
Contest Open to Submissions: January 1st
-
Contest Deadline: February 1st
-
Entries go to Judges: February 5
-
Scores Back from Judges: May 15
-
Finalists Notified: June 1
-
Award Ceremony: 2026 Heart Awards winners will be announced during the 2026 Heart Award ceremony during the RomanceLahoma Conference in Oklahoma City, and will be broadcast virtually via Facebook Live.
-
IF you win but did not attend the Heart Awards Gala in person, your trophy will be sent out SOME TIME in September AFTER we've received your $30 shipping fee. (Please note that "some time" means it could be the beginning, middle, OR end of September. Please do not email us every day asking for an update.)​​
Important Dates
15 Categories will each have 3 Finalists and 1 Winner
​
All Winners will receive the *Red Blown Glass Heart Award above. All Finalists will each receive a certificate.
All Finalists and Winners will be promoted across OKRWG social media.
​
Entry Fee: (OKRWG Membership is FREE! Join HERE.)
-
Member: $25 for first category entered(except Poetry category)
-
$5 for each additional category entered
-
Poetry category only: $25 entry fee for 2 poems
-
$5 for each additional poem.
-
-
Non-Member: $30 for first category entered (except Poetry category)
-
$5 for each additional category entered
-
Poetry category only: $30 entry fee for 2 poems
-
$5 for each additional poem.
-
​
PayPal payments to: treasurer@oklahomaromancewritersguild.com
Questions? Contact the Heart Awards Contest Director HERE
​
*Winners who do not attend Heart Awards in person will receive a digital certificate via email UNLESS they send payment for shipping of the trophy by August 30. Trophies will be shipped out in September.
PayPal
Category Descriptions
Published Categories
All Published Romantic Fiction in Novel or Novella length(no less than 15,000 words), meet category guidelines, and have a copyright date of 2025 are qualified to enter this contest.
​
Category 1: Erotic Romance Novel
Heat Level: 5 Flames
Novel Length: Novels & Novellas of any length
As opposed to straight erotica, which focuses primarily on the sex rather than on the plot or characterization, erotic romance is about the emotional journey lived through sexual experience. This sub-genre pushes boundaries, uses graphic language(including F-bomb), contains multiple sex scenes explicitly described…and because it’s romance, it has a happily ever after. Erotic romance can bring in BDSM, sex toys, anal sex, menages, and multiple partners. These are stories that cannot be told if you take sex out of the equation. UNLIMITED SEX SCENES.
Examples: EL James or Sylvia Day Novels
​
​
Category 2: Scorcher Romance Novel
Heat Level: 4 Flames
Novel Length: 50K words or more
The equivalent of NC-17 in the movie world. Sometimes described as one level shy of erotic romance. At this heat level, there’s explicit sex, indelicate language(including F-bomb), and graphic depictions of a sexual nature used to further the story. Scorcher might also include sex toys, mild BDSM, and other light forms of kink. UNLIMITED SEX SCENES.
Example: Nalini Singh or JR Ward novels
​
​
Category 3: Steamy Romance Novel
Heat Level: 3 Flames
Novel Length: 50K words or more
The equivalent of an R-rated movie. The majority of romance novels fall into this heat category. With steamy romance, you can expect action-packed love scenes where the reader goes along for the ride. There is graphic sex on the page, and what is happening between the couple is described with specific language, but emphasis is more on the emotional than physical. Swearing, but no F-bomb. Steamy romance doesn’t fade to black. Instead, it follows the participants right through the door and climbs into the bed along with them. NO MORE THAN 3 or 4 SEX SCENES
Example: Linda Howard or Linda Lael Miller novels
​
Category 4: Sensual Romance Novel
Heat Level: 2 Flames
Novel Length: 50K words or more
The equivalent of a PG13-rated movie. Kissing, touching, and intimate scenes are shared usually with focus on feelings and emotions rather than body parts. Sexual tension and love scenes might be included in the story, but most descriptions of physical intimacy still happen “behind closed doors.” NO EXPLICIT SEX SCENES
Ex. Nora Roberts novels
​
Category 5: Sweet Romance Novel
Heat Level: 1 Flame
Novel Length: 50K words or more
The equivalent of a PG-rated movie. There might be no contact at all except for some hand-holding or a chaste kiss at the end when the couple gets together. Mild sensuality might contain intimate scenes and sexual situations, but they’re not described in the book. You know it happens, but you don’t read about it because it happens off the page or fades to black. NO SEX SCENES.
Example: Hallmark Movies
​
Category 6: Non-Romance w/Strong Romantic Subplot Novel
Heat Level: Any
Novel Length: 50K words or more
This category is for any genre that contains a significant romantic subplot. The romantic subplot can contain any heat level, but it must be appropriate to the age level to which the books were written. I.E. No erotic scenes in a YA book, etc.
Examples: Brandon Sanderson and Sarah J. Maas
​
Category 7: Sweet/Sensual Romance Novella
Heat Level: 1-2 Flames
Novella Length: Under 50K words
Sexual content same as Sweet Novel or Sensual Novels
Category 8: Steamy/Scorcher Romance Novella
Heat Level: 3-4 Flames
Novella Length: Under 50K words
Sexual content same as Steamy or Scorcher Novels
​
Unpublished Categories
All unpublished entries must be no more than 25 pages and include a 1 page synopsis. (except Cat. 9, which should include an entire single poem, 12pt Times New Roman or Courier font. Include the title at the top no bigger than 24pt font)
Formatting: First page of entry(except category 9) should be a complete 1-page synopsis that is single line spaced, 1in(3cm) margins, and 12pt Times Roman or Courier font. Other 24 submitted pages after synopsis should be the first 24 pages of your story and have 1in(3cm) margins, be double spaced, and use 12pt Times New Roman font or Courier font. Include a heading in the top right corner of the first page of your entry that includes: 1st line: Category Number & Category Name, 2nd line: # of pages if novel OR # of lines for poetry, 3rd line: Title of entry. Starting with page 2 of your entry, all other pages should have only the title and page number. (Category 11 should have # of words on 2nd line.)
Accepted submission files are .doc or .docx (Word). They should be saved WITHOUT AUTHOR NAME in this format: Category number entering + title of entry (example: cat6twilight.doc)
​
NOTE: Your entry will be AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED if you submit it with your name in the file name OR in the header of the entry. Your name should only be on the registration form you fill out, not anywhere on your actual entry pages.
​
Category 9: Poetry Unpublished
Heat Level: Any
Any Length or Style.
Any single unpublished poem in any style focused on any romantic theme including falling in love, staying in love, angst between lovers, and heartbreak.
Single poems only, no poetry books.
Fee: $25 pays for up to 2 entries, $5 for each additional entry
Do not include your name anywhere on the PDF of your poem.
Examples: Emily Dickinson, Mary Oliver, Joy Harjo, Allison Joseph, and Shakespeare
​
Category 10: Contemporary Romance Unpublished
Heat Level: Any
This category is for unpublished contemporary romance, a romance sub-genre focusing on modern, romantic relationships set in the present-day world.
​
Category 11: Speculative Romance Unpublished
Heat Level: Any
This category is for unpublished romance novel featuring speculative fiction elements like fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, dystopian, or steampunk themes, where a significant romantic relationship drives the story. In these narratives, the developing love between protagonists is as crucial as the imaginative, non-realistic world-building and plot, creating a foundation for the unfolding romance.
​​​
Category 12: Historical Romance Unpublished
Heat Level: Any
This category is for unpublished historical romance from any time period more than 50 years in the past where a love story takes place in a recognizable historical setting, with the developing romantic relationship being the central plotline, and always ending in a satisfying, happy union
​
Category 13: Dark Romance Unpublished
Heat Level: Any
This category is for unpublished dark romance, a subgenre of romance characterized by dark, mature, and often taboo themes, such as morally ambiguous or villianous characters, power dynamics, obsession, violence, crime, and psychological or sexual themes abduction or noncon encounters, which are often explored in the context of love, and/or desire. MUST contain Trigger Warnings in Synopsis.
​
Category 14: Erotica Romance Unpublished
Heat Level: Erotic
This category is for unpublished erotica, a subgenre of romance novels where explicit sexual content is an integral and essential part of the relationship and plot, not just a feature. The romance between the characters must be the primary focus, with the erotic elements serving to deepen their connection and drive the storyline forward towards a traditional happy ending.
​
Category 15: Non-Romance w/Strong Romantic Subplot Unpublished
Heat Level: Any
This category is for unpublished non-romance that has a very strong romantic subplot that ends with the romantic interests ending up together.
​