Oh, I wish I were an Oscar-RITA winner;
that is what I’d truly like to be.
Cause if I were an Oscar-RITA winner,
Everyone would be in love with me.
To go along with the author view of why readers should lurve the RITAs….
This is KarenS (a reader) POV on the RITA awards posted May 15, 2006 as a guest reader At The Back Fence. It is very much all sorts of shades of KarenS but like her or not she touches on some interesting facts and has some great author quotes.
On of my faves being Participation is closed after 1000 entries are received. I think we had at least a 1000 of those in Paranormal this year and it isn’t even the end of March yet.
Sorry, I kid…
Really again I say, I the RITAs seem like great fun and are most likely a thrill to win. And I would beyond the moon for any fave of mine to win it. I see any and every list, award, label or whatever as a rec list to be. But I don’t see as something I have to respect, adore, lurve, hug and call george in order to be a good, supportive, romance reader. Maybe I am not? Who knows. But hey I know what I like. And I like to talk about romance books. I like to hear what you like.
Going through the RITA list could be good fun that is funny. I had planned to take it year by year as I did the RRA lists I did but by the end of that people seemed tired of seeing the same names mentioned over and over again. So hey!
::lightbub moment:: I can’t think of a better time to do it for the RITA list.::/lightbub moment::
ETS: looks like the bitches got into the rita’s as well (I know, I know I need to get out more)… go forth and check it out if you aren’t sick of the topic
RWA Nationals come around really quickly don’t they? I can’t believe that I wrote that nearly a year ago.
The link wouldn’t take me to Karen’s old post, but . . .
I can say the Rita is fun to win, fun to be nominated for–and even some fun when you don’t win–from my POV. And, mostly I don’t know as anyone who’s not there, or not involved should care so very much. For the fun, sure, if a reader wants to look at the finalists and the winners and check for faves, or pout a little if faves aren’t represented. Or to check out the list for possible reads. But at the end of the day–and the beginning of it, imo–it’s an industry award. Given by writers to writers.
I’m not shy about saying I LOVE my Ritas. They mean a great deal to me. I don’t expect them to mean so much to the reader–whether or not they like my books, or any of the Rita winners. Really, why should it matter? I LOVE movies, but it doesn’t rock my boat one way or the other what movie or movies, what actor or actors win Oscars or Goden Globes or SAGS. Mostly for those, I just like to look at the clothes. I’m still going to feel exactly the same way about that movie or performance after the award show as I did before.
I expect readers will feel exactly the same way about a book before and after the Ritas are announced. But the winner would have had a really great night.
I remember when Million Dollar Baby won all those Oscars and had so much hype and I wanted to see it so bad ….I was effing PISSED OFF by the end of that movie LOL I loved it don’t get me wrong but I never saw the end coming. Which probably has nothing to do with your post.
I can’t say I’d never enter the RITA, because what the hell it’s only money 😀 but to be totally honest, I feel kind of ambivalent about RWA as a whole. *ducking*
Time does fly doesn’t it karens ;). I figured you were busy so I posted with you in mind.
Hmmm sorry Nora it is some of Karen’s best work. I know AAR is having issues or something. I tried the link and it worked. http://www.likesbooks.com/225.html maybe that will help?
If not… well really no biggie cuz you seem to get the point *g*.
Hell cece if I had any talent and could write a book then by miracle get it published, I would be there handing in my cash to win something shiny. And I am sure there are a hella good RITA winners. And then there are your Marisa Tomei’s.
I remember Karen’s post last year vividly. It was the first time I posted at AAR about anything. I’m one of the people who said they don’t recognize any of the RITA winners any more. Of course, I don’t read as much category romance any more either and that may have something to do with it.
I think NR hit it spot on with her movie analogy and the RITAs being an industry award.