This past week the winners of three big contests for romance books were announced. So, how did sci-fi romance fare?

The PRISM

First, the PRISM contest awarded by the Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Chapter of RWA ® actually has a Futuristic category. We were sure to have some sci-fi romances come out winners there, with Katherine Allred’s Close Encounters, Linnea Sinclair’s Hope’s Folly, and Jess Granger’s Beyond the Rain taking first, second, and third respectively. But in an extra boost to sci-fi romance, Katherine Allred’s Close Encounters took Best of the Best honors. Way to go Katherine!

For a complete list of the 13th Annual PRISM Finalists (2010): http://www.romance-ffp.com/contests.cfm

The Golden Heart

In the Golden Heart, a national competition for unpublished manuscripts, there is no sci-fi or futuristic category. All speculative manuscripts are lumped together in the Paranormal category.  This year two of seven finalists were sci-fi romance of the finest sort. Bloodborn:  Book One in the Light Blade Series by Kylie Griffin and Shadowed by Sharon Lynn Fisher. Super excited to announce that Kylie Griffin took home the win. Go sci-fi romance!

The RITA

Last but not least, the super biggie of the romance world in the RITA Awards for published novels. This contest also combines speculative fiction in a single Paranormal category. In 2010 all nine finalist were, in fact, of the paranormal variety, with Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole taking home the win. In fact, the only hint of sci-fi romance to make into the RITA finals this year was Promises in Death by J.D. Robb which finaled in the Romantic Suspense category.

I’m not sure how this adds up for the future of sci-fi romance, but luckily there seems to be plenty of paranormal romances to keep us all in great books for a very long time to come.