What Is The RSJ Emma Romance Book Awards?

The RSJ Online Romance Book Convention, sponsored by Diverse Writers and Readers International, is delighted to reveal the winners for the 2024 Emma Romance Book Awards. The Emma Awards, known as the most prestigious book awards for diversity in romantic literature, is an annual event that recognizes authors of color and their excellence in published romance novels, novellas, and women’s fiction featuring diverse and multicultural protagonists (such as Black, African-American, Latino, Hispanic, Asian, biracial, and more) that are often underrepresented in the publishing world.

Emma Awards Submissions: The Most Prestigious Book Awards For Romance Books And Diversity

The romance book awards 2024 competition was fierce, with every entry shining bright in its own way. The results were exceptionally close, reflecting the incredible talent across diverse subgenres of romance. Each story brought something unique to the book awards 2024 table—whether it was a heartfelt modern love story, a deep dive into cultural connections, or a thrilling adventure that kept us on the edge of our seats. To all participants: thank you for sharing your incredible stories with us because your creativity and talent truly stood out, making this year’s selection process both challenging and inspiring.

Let’s keep the excitement alive as we continue to celebrate these brilliant authors and their remarkable works in the Emma Awards most prestigious book awards! Please join us in congratulating these outstanding book awards winners:

EMMA ROMANCE BOOK AWARDS:
The Most Prestigious Book Awards For Diversity

Judged Book Categories

BEST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
 “The Thing About Home” by Rhonda McKnight

BEST INTERRACIAL ROMANCE
  “One Season with the Duke” by Addy Du Lac

BEST ROMANTIC COMEDY
“Lost in Liberia” by Saharra K. Sandhu

BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
“The Wrong Seat” by Natasha D. Frazier

BEST NOVELLA ROMANCE
 “Double Happiness” by Jen Trinh

BEST PARANORMAL/SCI-FI ROMANCE
 “Three Wishes” by Anne Shade

DEBUT AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
“One Season with the Duke” by Addy Du Lac

BEST BOOK COVER
“The Thing About Home” by Rhonda McKnight
HONORARY MENTION FOR BOOK COVER GOES TO:
“Love on the Byline” by Xio Axelrod – 2nd Place
“Whispers of the Raven” by Tiana Laveen – 3rd Place

(All submissions in the Judged Book Award categories are automatically entered into the Best Book Cover category and have been voted on by anonymous readers.)

BOOK OF THE YEAR
“One Season with the Duke” by Addy Du Lac

EMMA ROMANCE BOOK AWARDS:

Readers’ Choice Categories

AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
 “The Thing About Home” by Rhonda McKnight – 1st Place
“Love on the Byline” by Xio Axelrod – 2nd Place
“Doctor Know” by Mel Walker – 3rd Place

HERO OF THE YEAR
  “The Thing About Home” by Rhonda McKnight – 1st Placc
“Love on the Byline” by Xio Axelrod – 2nd Place
“His Montana Star” by Shirley Hailstock – 3rd Place

HEROINE OF THE YEAR
 “The Thing About Home” by Rhonda McKnight – 1st Place
“Love on the Byline” by Xio Axelrod – 2nd Place
“Doctor Know” by Mel Walker – 3rd Place