The RNA welcomes new members. Membership benefits include:
- Regular meetings and social events
- The annual conference
- Our quarterly magazine Romance Matters
- Membership of our chapters and online discussion group
- The opportunity to promote your work on the RNA blog
- The chance to network with fellow writers, agents and publishers
If you are a traditionally published or self-published author of romantic novels, or an agent, editor or publisher, you can apply to join as a Full Author or Associate Member.
Fees
Full: £70.00
Associate: £80.00
Writers who have not yet had a full length novel or serial published can join under the New Writers’ Scheme (see tab “NWS Membership” on the left).
The RNA New Writers’ Scheme will open to new members in January 2024
The RNA is pleased to welcome unpublished writers of romantic fiction in all genres into its unique New Writers’ Scheme. Members of the New Writers’ Scheme are able to participate in all the RNA’s activities and events, and are able to submit one manuscript of an unpublished novel for critique each year. The Scheme opens in January each year and can accept only 300 members.
If you were not able to secure a place on the scheme don’t forget that non-members are welcome to attend many RNA events or to take the RNA Learning courses.
The membership fee of £210 allows unpublished authors to take part in all RNA activities and also submit a manuscript of a full-length novel for appraisal. The New Writers’ Scheme Organiser sends each new writer a membership pack giving details on how and when to submit the manuscript.
The Organiser has a team of readers who are authors with extensive publishing histories in various types of romantic novel. The manuscripts are sent to an appropriate reader who provides a report that may include, for example, comments on plotting, characterisation and structure. The reports are intended to be honest and constructive suggestions from a published novelist—they point out flaws but also offer advice based on experience.
Please note that this is a scheme for romantic novels, ones where romantic elements play a key role in the story. The readers cannot comment on non-romance genres. We are also unable to provide critiques of books aimed specifically at the US market, or books that are longer than 100,000 words.
The Organiser will advise and support authors whose report indicates that their novel is ready, or almost ready, to be submitted to a publisher or agent.
If a manuscript is entered into the NWS, then gains a publishing contract and is released as the NWS member’s debut novel, it may be eligible for the Joan Hessayon New Writers’ Scheme Award. Any queries regarding this award should be directed to Melissa Oliver at rnajoanhessayonaward@
General NWS queries should be directed to Sarah Rodi at rnanwscoordinator@romanticwriters.co.uk
Full Membership
Full membership of the association is open to traditionally published and self-published authors of romantic novels and full-length serials of at least 30,000 words. For more information (and before proceeding to join), please click here to view our full membership criteria.
Associate Membership
Associate Membership is offered to those associated with the book trade, such as publishers, editors, literary agents, booksellers, librarians, reviewers, romantic writers in other forms or media, or any others having a close professional connection with novel writing, other media or publishing. It is not intended for newly published or unpublished romantic fiction writers, unless they also fall into one of the above categories.
If you have any queries as to which membership is right for you, please contact us at rnamembership@romanticwriters.co.uk
Membership Cost and Criteria
All members must be at least 18 years of age.
You can read full details of the membership criteria for Full Author members below. Please read the criteria carefully before making your application.
Fees
Full: £70.00
Associate: £80.00
The Full Member button below will take you to a Google questionnaire (in a new window) where you will be asked to confirm your eligibility for membership. Once this has been completed, our membership secretary will be in touch with next steps. The Associate Member button will proceed to checkout directly.
Fees from November 2023:
£70 for Full Members (traditionally published and self-published authors)
£80 for Associate Members
Please note: Romance Matters will now be available as a digital-only publication, access to which is included in your membership
For further information about RNA membership, or if you’re not sure if you meet our membership criteria, please contact our rnamembership@romanticwriters.co.uk
RNA Access Grants
The RNA have now introduced an access grant scheme with the aim of allowing those in financial hardship access to our organisation and events. Details of these grants, including how they operate, how you can apply and a list of frequently asked questions, can be found here.
NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES COMING SOON: Aspiring Writers and Friends of the RNA
We’re excited to announce that we are taking inspiration from other writers’ organisations and introducing an Aspiring Writers membership category, as well as a Friends of the RNA category. Both categories will be open for applications once our new website is up and running on the 5th February 2024.
Aspiring writers will be open to unpublished writers and will offer a reduced benefit package but allow unpublished writers who want to write romantic fiction to join and learn from our more experienced members by being part of our community.
The ‘Friends of’ category is for those members/former members who are no longer actively writing, publishing or promoting their books but still wish to remain part of the RNA.
The membership fees for these two new categories will be as follows:
Aspiring Writer: £60.00
Friends: £40.00
