Royal Society of Literature reveals historic changes to improve diversity | Books | The Guardian

The eminent society, which was founded in 1820, periodically appoints new fellows deemed to have published works of "outstanding literary merit". Fellows are then invited to sign their names in the society's roll book, using the pen of a "historically influential" UK writer - either Charles Dickens (although his pen was retired in 2013), TS Eliot, Byron or George Eliot. Now, as the RSL sets out to champion the writers of colour with a series of new appointments and initiatives, it has added Levy to this list, alongside Wide Sargasso Sea author Jean Rhys.

"It's a statement of intent from the RSL to commit to diversity, and there's no way greater than to feel the very ink, the blood of your ancestors, of your legacy coming through as you write, if you're a writer of colour - but hopefully for anybody," said poet Daljit Nagra, who was also announced as the new chair of the RSL.