The R*BY Award, affectionately known as The Ruby, is our premier award and the only one of its kind in Australia. Voted on by Australian readers, this contest is open each year to any Australian or New Zealand romance author who has published a long or short romance novel.
Check out past winners at the R*BY Hall of Fame!
2010 R*BY Information
The R*BY is open to members and non-members who are residents of Australia or New Zealand, the R*BY is Australia's premier reader-based award, with finalists and winners announced in national press.
Only books which are first published either in Australia or overseas between 1st January and 31st December 2009 are eligible to enter. Books may not be entered twice. Entry is open to both print and e-published books.
Important News: In order to reflect the increasing variety of books entered, from this year we've expanded the R*BY to four categories.
Short Sweet Romance: Novels and novellas between 40,000 and 60,000 words where the love story is the main focus of the novel and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Novels may be set in any place or time. Love scenes may be present or implied but details are not explicit. eg. HMB Sweet, HMB Medical, Avalon.
Short Sexy Romance: Novels and novellas between 40,000 and 60,000 words where the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Novels may be set in any place or time. Love scenes are fully realised. eg HMB Sexy, Desire, Blaze
Long Romance: Novels over 60,000 words where the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Novels may be set in any place or time. Love scenes may contain any level of sensuality. eg. Most single title romance imprints, HMB Super Romance, HMB Historical.
Romantic Elements: Novels of any length, tone, or style, set in any place or time, in which a romance plays a significant part in the story, though it is not necessarily the central plot. Other themes or elements take the plot beyond the traditional romance boundaries.
Entries close 5th February 2010 and any author unsure of what category best suits their book can contact the coordinator.
Contact: rby@romanceaustralia.com
2010 R*BY Guidelines PDF version of Entry Form DOC version of Entry Form