2019 RITA Contest Dates and Deadlines

Note: All deadlines must be met by 5 p.m. Central Time. All dates and deadlines are final.

October 2018
Online sign-up to judge the contest opens at 9:00 a.m. CT.

November 1, 2018
RITA Contest opens for entries at 11:00 a.m. CT.

November 21, 2018
Deadline for entry forms and fees to be received by the RWA Office.

January 3, 2019
Deadline for books to be submitted to RWA's contest site. Failure to meet this deadline will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the entry fee.

March 7, 2019
Preliminary-round scores due to RWA Office.

March 21, 2019
Emails and phone calls to notify finalists will commence. Release of official finalist list on RWA's website by 2 p.m. CT.

April 9, 2019
Deadline for finalists to send additional books to the RWA Office.

June 1, 2019
Final-round scores due to RWA Office.

August 17, 2019
Preliminary round scores returned to contest entrants.