About the Inclusive Romance Project

Founded in 2019 by Kharma Kelley, the Inclusive Romance Project was established to address the persistent challenges and inequities within the Romance fiction industry. Recognizing the harmful environments that often marginalize writers of diverse identities, the project aims to create a truly inclusive and supportive community for authors who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, and those with other underrepresented identities.

As a Black cis-het woman and an indie author of romance and fantasy, Kharma witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers and lack of resources available to marginalized authors. In response, she created a space that fosters growth through a work-in-progress critique group, a vibrant community, and a mentorship program pairing seasoned authors with emerging voices. The project is committed to continuously offering educational opportunities, Q&A sessions, and presentations to help members thrive in their writing careers.

We also hope to create a book hub for readers who are highly interested in new, up and coming Romance authors who write from various perspectives to read, elevate and enjoy!

Our Mission

We believe in the value of a unique voice of the Romance author as it reflects those of our readers. In this diverse ocean of talent, we seek to excel those in the field of publishing, uplift fellow authors who struggle for visibility, and outreach to aspiring authors of marginalized identities in hopes to bring more amazing work to readers worldwide. 

Love is Love and we believe that everyone deserves an Happily Ever After. #representationmatters #ownvoices #WeNeedDiverseRomance