Win Hearts and Awards: Why NERFA Is a Must for Indie Romance Authors
- evemrileyauthor
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
As an indie romance author, your love story deserves to be celebrated—and entering a reputable book award can help make that happen. Throughout this series, I’ll be highlighting a variety of well-respected romance book awards that offer real opportunities for self-published authors like you to showcase your work and gain the visibility it deserves.
But let’s be honest: not all awards are created equal. Some cater heavily to traditionally published authors, while others seem more about profit than merit. That’s why I’ve done the research and rounded up well-respected, indie-friendly romance book awards that are absolutely worth entering.
First up, let’s talk about the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA), an award that’s tailor-made for indie authors like you!
I know firsthand how impactful the right award can be. My novel The Refusal was honored as a winner, and The Outcast was a finalist in the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA). It was an incredible experience that brought my books in front of new readers, opened doors for marketing opportunities, and gave me that extra boost of confidence we all need sometimes.
National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA)
If you’re an indie romance author, the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA) is one you’ll want to keep an eye on. This award celebrates the best indie romance novels, whether you’re self-published or with a small press. It’s a fantastic way to get your work recognized alongside top romance authors—and trust me, that kind of recognition can make all the difference.
NERFA honors all kinds of romance—from contemporary to historical, paranormal, and romantic suspense—so if you’ve written a love story with heart, this could be your moment.
Categories
NERFA has a variety of categories, making it super accessible no matter what kind of romance you write:
Contemporary Romance: For those swoon-worthy, modern love stories.
Historical Romance: Think grand love stories set in another time.
Romantic Suspense: Love with a side of mystery and danger.
Best First Book: A special shout-out to an author’s very first romance novel.
Speculative Romance: For beyond the everyday—whether it’s fantasy, paranormal, or something otherworldly.
Why It’s Worth It
Getting nominated—or even winning—NERFA is a game-changer. It helps you stand out in the crowded indie world, boosts your visibility, connects you with readers, and gives your work some well-deserved shine. Plus, it’s a chance to show the world that indie romance can be just as powerful and exciting as any traditionally published book.
What makes NERFA even more unique is that it’s judged by romance readers, bloggers, and booksellers—people who truly know what makes a great romance novel. That kind of feedback and validation from industry insiders and readers alike is priceless.
How to Enter
Entering is simple. Just submit your book based on the eligibility rules (like genre and publication date), and let the judges do their thing. They’ll be looking for things like originality, strong characters, and that emotional connection we all love in a great romance novel.
While the 2025 submissions are closed, be sure to keep NERFA in mind for 2026!
Have you entered NERFA or any other awards? Share your experience or questions in the comments—I’d love to hear about your journey! And stay tuned for the next post in this series, where I’ll highlight another award that gives indie romance the love it deserves.
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