The following are a set of rules to keep in mind when submitting a nominee for each category (last updated November 2021):

❧ All nominees MUST be published between the months of January 1st 2021 to December 31st 2021 (Re-releases are not eligible). The exception is the audiobook category. If the audiobook released between January 1st 2021 and December 31st 2021, but the book itself was published prior to this year, it is eligible to be nominated in the audiobook category.

❧ All nominees MUST be classified as romance.

❧ All nominees MUST have a love story central to the plot AND have a HEA or HFN.

❧ Acceptable forms of publishing for nominations: Traditional, Indie, or Self-Pub.

❧  The categories, Historical, Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal (PNR)/Urban Fiction (UF), Romantic Suspense, Sci-Fi, Erotic, YA, Novella, Anthology, and Holiday, are MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE categories. For instance, this means that you may not nominate the same book in contemporary and PNR/UF.

❧  The categories from the previous rule are NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE with the categories: Debut, Audiobook Narration, Best Cover, and Book of the Year. This means, for instance, that you may nominate the same book for Historical and Best Cover.

❧ In order to ensure nominations are listed in the appropriate categories, Swoonies will verify publication labels of each nominations prior to posting semi-final rounds. 

Nomination Vetting

❧ Review book description and recent reviews before releasing semi-finalists list (for accurate category and harmful content). 

❧ Harmful content includes, but not limited to genocide, gratuitous sexual assault, overuse of slurs.

❧ Books may be excluded from the semi-finals for harmful content.

❧ Readers will be able to submit concerns via form. (Coming Soon)

Statement of Diversity and Inclusion

The Swoonies are committed to supporting a diverse romance nomination list. Therefore, it is imperative that as you consider nominating novels, you also consider how the central plot depicts underrepresented and marginalized communities. We believe that while there is a novel for every reader, stories can be harmful and a HEA does not absolve harm. The Swoonies is a reader-run initiative that stands with and supports diverse voices.