In 2019 we introduced a number of Diversity and Inclusion bursaries, which awarded membership to the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme for eight writers, as well as supporting several published authors with the costs of either membership or attending this year’s conference.

In 2020, the RNA’s sixtieth anniversary year, the bursary scheme will be renamed the RNA Diamond Bursaries, and expanded to offer eleven bursaries to cover membership of the New Writers’ Scheme, and three bursaries to cover Full/Independent membership, to assist writers from groups that are currently under-represented in publishing.

A further two bursaries will be granted to help writers with the costs of attending the RNA’s annual conference.

Jeanna Skinner, recipient of a bursary in 2019, said “No hyperbole, being awarded an RNA bursary changed my life. It gave me a much-needed boost to complete my first book after almost a decade of self-doubt and a year of personal upheaval. That book has since been through the NWS, was shortlisted in a competition and I’ve just begun querying agents. None of this would’ve been possible without the generosity of my bursary sponsor and support from the RNA, and it is something I’ll be forever grateful for.”

The Diamond Bursaries are open to application from anyone with an interest in writing romantic fiction. Proof of eligibility is not required, but applicants are asked to submit a statement indicating their commitment to professionally developing as a writer.

Applicants for the Diamond Bursaries are invited to contact bursary@romanticnovelistsassociation.org for more details.