The Diamond Heart Awards will begin in September 2025 with judge recruitment and training. Submissions will open in November 2025. Winners will be announced during an in-person awards ceremony at the RWA2026 Annual Conference, with the location to be determined. Please keep checking the website for updates and important announcements.

Purpose

The Diamond Heart Awards recognize authors who have mastered the craft of romance writing and showcase their talent and creativity in producing romances that are equitable and inclusive and are exemplary models of the romance genre. We celebrate the power of the romance genre with its central message of hope and love, because romance is for everyone.

Vision

Envisioning a celebration of romance in its myriad forms, we aspire to recognize, honor, and elevate the craft of romance writing in all its diversity, inclusivity, and equity. Through the Diamond Heart Awards, we aim to recognize and honor those storytellers who beautifully weave narratives of love and hope, breaking barriers and embracing all shades of the human experience. We champion authors whose writing redefines the contours of the romance genre, contributing to a literary world where “happily ever afters”  or “happy for nows” are for everyone. Our vision is to illuminate the power of romantic narratives that transcend differences, foster connections, and inspire hope, while ensuring the rich tapestry of our collective experiences is reflected and respected in every romantic tale we celebrate.

Diamond Heart Entries

• Entry must have an English language publication date of 2024, or in the case of a serialized work submitted as a whole, an original English language publication date of 2024 for the final installment of that work.
• Entry must not have been entered in whole or part into the 2024 Diamond Heart Awards.
• Entry must be an English language edition.
• Entry must be submitted as a single PDF file, with a copyright page.
• Entry must be authorized by the publisher if traditionally published.
• Entry must meet the requirements for the category in which it is entered. A book may not be entered into more than one category.
• If a novel is published as part of a collection, the entire collection does not need to be entered into the contest.
• A collection of novels in one volume does not constitute one entry. Each work must be entered and uploaded separately, and the appropriate fee must be paid for each entry.