Writers’ Resources
Contents
The first (best) advice to any writer is that they should write. Don’t think about it, talk about, fret about it, just do it.
That said, though, other stuff can help. Mentors. Advice. Second opinions. ‘Professionals’. Experience.
Here’s some of the stuff that we think helps for historical fiction. This is a formative list, which we will be adding to as we find new resources. If you feel your details should be on it, please write to us – and please help promote the HNS International Award to any writers you meet!
Free stuff: Authors talking about writing
Writing Your Best Seller. (Bernard Cornwell)
Masterclass – Ken Follett
Methods of research – Elizabeth Chadwick
Writing courses, clubs, magazines and media
Most of this you have to pay for, though most writing groups are inexpensive. It is not an exhaustive list. Sadly few of these resources are aimed specifically at historical fiction.
Writers’ News (UK print magazines and site – https://www.writers-online.co.uk/) lists events, competitions, courses, writing groups (including those that specify historicals).
Writers’ Workshop (UK writing courses and festival, with website writersworkshop.co.uk) has some excellent advice about agents etc on their website, and a great festival.
The New Writer magazine: ‘quirky, clever, original and accessible’, with great competitions and lots of information about the literary scene.
Script doctors/editorial help
This is a list compiled from a Facebook question we posted: so all these people have genuinely helped members of the society towards publication of historical fiction. They are not affiliated to the society in any way, and have not paid to get their names here.