The RITA Award is an annual award presented by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) to recognize excellence in romantic fiction. Established in 1982, it honors published authors in various categories, including historical romance, contemporary romance, and romantic suspense. The award aims to celebrate outstanding storytelling and writing quality in the romance genre. Winners of the RITA Award are selected through a rigorous judging process, where books are evaluated based on criteria such as character development, plot, and emotional impact. The awards are typically announced at the RWA's annual conference, making it a prestigious accolade for romance authors.