The National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award celebrates published romance novels and novellas and is judged by romance readers. Winners are selected from three finalists in each category by bloggers, booksellers, and librarians.

The National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award is sponsored by First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW). FCRW is an organization for both published and unpublished writers. The independent non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting excellence in romantic fiction through monthly meetings and workshops where published and unpublished writers share knowledge about the constantly evolving publishing industry.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

THE 2025 WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED
CLICK HERE

Upcoming Important Dates


Reader Judge signup January 15- February 28, 2026
OPEN for contestants, March 1-31, 2026
First Round (romance readers) Judging. April 8 – May 19, 2026
Finalists will be announced June 1, 2026
Final Round Judging June 1-30, 2026 (Librarians/Bloggers/Booksellers)

See Previous Year’s WinnersCLICK HERE

NERFA2025