About
**The 2022 Heart Awards
is CLOSED!**
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, or will be, published in 2022, is eligible to enter.
(Except Poetry which is unpublished and so this rule does not apply.)
Open to Authors Worldwide, HOWEVER, winners outside the USA 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 entries must be publish ready, contain a copyright date of 2022, and contain a cover. (Except Poetry which is unpublished and so this rule does not apply.)
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Contest Open to Submissions: November 1st
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Contest Deadline: December 15th
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Entries go to Judges: December 31st
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Scores Back from Judges: March 1st
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Finalists Notified: March 15th
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Award Ceremony: Heart Awards Gala occurs on the final night of OKRWG Romance Conference in Oklahoma City on August 5th, 2023
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Location:
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Register for OKRWG RomanceLahoma 2023
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center
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741 N Phillips Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Important Dates
14 Categories will each have 3 Finalists and 1 Winner
Category Winners will receive the Red Blown Glass Heart Award above. Finalists will each receive a certificate. All Finalists and Winners will be promoted across OKRWG social media(Facebook, & Instagram).
Entry Fee: $25 for first category entered(except Poetry category), $5 for each additional category entered.
Poetry category only: $25 entry fee for 2 poems, then $5 for each additional poem.
(Note: Authors will be notified and a refund will be given if a category doesn't have enough entries.)
PayPal payments to: okrwgtreasurer@gmail
Questions? Contact the Heart Awards Contest VP HERE
Category Descriptions
All Published Romantic Fiction in Novel or Novella length that are no less than 15,000 words, meet category guidelines, and have a copyright date of 2022 are qualified to enter this contest.
Unpublished Poetry of any Length or Style.
Category 1: Erotic Romance Novel
Heat Level: 5 Flames
Novel Length: 50K words or more
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 1.5: Erotic Romance Novella
Heat Level: 5 Flames
Novella Length: Under 50K words
Sexual content same as Erotic Novel
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 2.5: Scorcher Romance Novella
Heat Level: 4 Flames
Novella Length: Under 50K words
Sexual content same as Scorcher Novel
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 3.5: Steamy Romance Novella
Heat Level: 3 Flames
Novella Length: Under 50K words
Sexual content same as Steamy Novel
Category 4: Sensual Romance Novel
Heat Level: 2 Flames
Novel Length: 50K words or more
Sensual Romance(2 Flames): 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 4.5: Sensual Romance Novella
Heat Level: 2 Flames
Novella Length: Under 50K words
Sexual content same as Sensual Novel
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 5.5: Sweet Romance Novella
Heat Level: 1 Flame
Novella Length: Under 50K words
Sexual content same as Sweet Novel
Category 6: Young Adult Romance Novel or Novella
Heat Level: 1 Flame
Length: Novella and Novel length both accepted into this category
The equivalent of PG13-rated movie. The characters are in their teens, sometimes early twenties. Like a sensual romance, there may be kissing, touching, and intimate scenes, but the focus is 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
Examples: Rainbow Rowell and Stephenie Meyer
Category 7: Unpublished Poetry with Romantic Theme
Heat Level: Any
Any single unpublished poem in any style focused on any romantic theme including falling in love, staying in love, angst between lovers, and heartbreak. (This category does not have to worry about the "Copyright" rule as it is an unpublished category.)
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 8: 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 8.5: Non-Romance w/Strong Romantic Subplot Novella
Heat Level: Any
Novella Length: Under 50K words
Sexual content same as Non-Romance Novel