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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Barbara Hambly

Murder in the Trembling Lands (A Benjamin January historical mystery Book 21)

By Barbara Hambly - Published 2025

Genres:

An insulting accusation at a masked ball during Carnival season in antebellum New Orleans progresses to a lethal duel. Free man of color ...Read Review

One Extra Corpse (A Silver Screen historical mystery, 2)

By Barbara Hambly - Published 2023

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Hollywood, 1924: it’s seven months since widowed English academic Emma Blackstone became assistant, secretary, dog brusher, and companion to her “beautiful… glittering and ...Read Review

Death and Hard Cider (A Benjamin January Mystery, 19)

By Barbara Hambly - Published 2022

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Benjamin January, musician, surgeon, and free man of colour, lives in New Orleans in 1840. Political tensions run high when Henry Clay of the ...Read Review

Scandal in Babylon (A Silver Screen historical mystery, 1)

By Barbara Hambly - Published 2022

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Capturing the spirit of the times from the first page, this mystery features Emma Blackstone, a Roman and Latin scholar enticed to Hollywood, ...Read Review

House of the Patriarch (A Benjamin January Mystery Book 18)

By Barbara Hambly - Published 2020

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Benjamin January is a Black physician in antebellum New Orleans who must moonlight as a detective-for-hire to make ends meet. His latest case, ...Read Review