About
- Established in 1997, the Historical Novel Society is an international literary society devoted to promotion and advocacy for the genre of historical fiction.
Membership
- Historical Novel Society members include authors, readers, librarians, editors and industry professionals – membership is entirely open, and anyone enthusiastic about the genre is welcome.
Events
- Our worldwide membership loves to meet. Many travel thousands of miles to attend our conferences in person; many more enjoy our virtual options from home. Others form member connections in their area through regular Local Chapter meet-ups. Discover what’s on with conferences, Local and Virtual Chapters, and more.
Book Reviews
- Our exclusive, members-only print magazine, the Historical Novels Review, publishes reviews of hundreds of historical fiction books each quarter, in addition to features and columns. Become a member to receive the magazine and enjoy all our other benefits.
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Articles
- We publish articles in our members-only print magazine, Historical Novels Review, as well as web features exclusive to this site. All are original pieces, commissioned by our Features Editors based on topics of interest to members – interviews with historical fiction authors, publishers, and agents; explorations of novels and subgenres; guides, and regular columns on historical fiction market news, debut authors, and more. Articles are written by vetted contributors, most of whom are Society members. If you’re a member interested in joining the team, Contact Us.
Awards
- HNS Awards have helped discover authors and launch their careers (e.g., Michel Faber, Ruth Downie, Nikki Marmery, Hilary Green, Elizabeth Macneal, and many more) and provided vital support for others. Our ARA Award is one of the most generous of all literary prizes. If you’d like to partner to sponsor an award, Contact Us.
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19th Century

The Harvey Girl

By Dana Stabenow - Published 2026

Genres:

Best-selling writer Dana Stabenow (of the beloved Kate Shugak mysteries) introduces a brand new detective series set in the 19th century of America’...Read Review

The Victorian Revolution (Time Travel Twins, 5)

By Garry Parsons (illus.) - By Josh Lacey - Published 2026

Genres:

Children/Young Adult Time-slip

This fifth episode of the Time Travel Twins series sends Thomas and Scarlett back to the 1st May 1851, and the Great Exhibition in ...Read Review

Five Weeks in the Country

By Francine Prose - Published 2026

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

In 1857, Hans Christian Andersen shows up at Charles Dickens’s country home in Kent, having received an impulsive, soon to be regretful, invitation ...Read Review

At Morning’s Light (Home to Green Creek)

By Kiersti Giron - By Lauraine Snelling - Published 2025

Genres:

Inspirational Romance

In the 1840s, a steady stream of Norwegians emigrated to Iowa in search of cheap arable land, establishing a cultural center in Decorah, ...Read Review

The Lumber Baron’s Wife

By Lynn Austin - Published 2026

Genres:

Inspirational Romance

In 1873 New York, Hannah Wagner is suffering from an unimaginable loss. All three of her children died after their father, a doctor, took ...Read Review

Feast

By Catherine Kurtz - Published 2026

Genres:

Literary

In 1899, Minha, the mixed-race daughter of a prostitute and a sailor, stows away on a ship to France after her grandfather, her caregiver ...Read Review

The Blood of Others

By Charity Eleson - Published 2025

Genres:

The Blood of Others is a compelling retelling of the aftermath of the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre in Utah. The story is told through ...Read Review

Call Me Ishmaelle

By Xiaolu Guo - Published 2026

Genres:

Nautical

This is Moby Dick retold, with several twists: the narrator is a young female who dresses as a male to pass as a ...Read Review

In the Great Quiet

By Laura Vogt - Published 2026

Genres:

Western

This masterful work of historical fiction tells of the fourth and largest of Oklahoma’s land rushes, which gave away lands previously pledged ...Read Review