Join as a Friend of the RNA

Friends of the RNA membership is open to previous members of the association who have not published a work of romantic fiction either traditionally or independently for at least seven years and are no longer actively writing, publishing (either traditionally or independently) or marketing their books or backlist.

Membership costs £40/annum and includes a range of benefits. Please complete the form below to apply.

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

Apply for Friend of the RNA membership