The Elizabeth Goudge Trophy

The RNA’s Elizabeth Goudge Trophy is awarded every year at the RNA Conference for the best opening chapter of an unpublished novel or short story, on a theme set by the judges. Both published and unpublished authors may enter their work for this award.

What is romance?

The Romantic Novelists Association exists to connect, support and champion writers to create their best romantic fiction, as well as championing the genre.

Our definition of romantic fiction is:

A love story with a healthy relationship dynamic between the main characters that results in an uplifting, positive resolution. 

Further clarification is provided below:

Essential elements

• Romantic love story (“falling in love”, i.e. not friendships, family, self-love, or any other forms of love)
• Integral to the plot i.e. not an add-on or shoehorned in. The romance thread may be the central plot element, or it may be secondary to another main theme or involve secondary characters, but it must be integral. The romance develops as the other plot elements develop.
• Uplifting, positive ending (the couple are together and with a realistic chance of staying together) – a HEA (Happy Ever After) or HFN (Happy For Now) ending
• Healthy dynamic between the romance characters
• Wide range of spice levels
• The romance arc usually spans a single book, although this may also span multiple books – e.g. in fantasy/romantasy, or in cosy crime, where recurrent characters gradually develop a romance

Relationship elements that mean the work is NOT a romance

• Toxic obsession
• Incest
• Rape
• Abuse (all forms including physical, psychological, financial)
• Stalking
• Non-consensual sex
• Paedophilia
• Power imbalance misused
• Grooming
• Coercion
• Glorification of problematic characters (e.g. a hero/heroine who was a Nazi, took part in the massacre at Wounded Knee, was a groomer, is openly racist)
• Illegal activities
• This list is illustrative and not exhaustive