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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Iain Gale

SBS: Special Boat Squadron

By Iain Gale - Published 2022

Genres:

Iain Gale is a military historian, and he assures his readers that Special Boat Squadron is ‘based on historical fact’. However, I am ...Read Review

Conspiracy

By Iain Gale - Published 2016

Genres:

Adventure

1812.Super spy James Keane is entrusted with a secret mission to go undercover in Bonaparte’s France to encourage and enable the destruction ...Read Review

Keane’s Charge

By Iain Gale - Published 2015

Genres:

Adventure Military

Keane’s Charge is the latest instalment of Iain Gale’s series set within the Napoleonic era. The previous books, Keane’s Company ...Read Review

Keane’s Challenge (Captain James Keane)

By Iain Gale - Published 2014 Published 2014-05-01

Genres:

Military

This is the sequel to Keane’s Company (reviewed in HNR 65) and is probably best read after that book. Keane is an exploring ...Read Review

Keane’s Company

By Iain Gale - Published 2013

Genres:

Adventure Military

Set in Spain and Portugal in the spring of 1809, this is to be the first in a series of Peninsular War novels based ...Read Review

The Black Jackals

By Iain Gale - Published 2011

Genres:

Adventure Military

In the summer of 1940 during WW2, the British Expeditionary Force in France were forced to retreat. The 51st. Highland Division (the Black Jackals) ...Read Review

Brothers in Arms

By Iain Gale - Published 2011

Genres:

Adventure Military

Readers will always be grateful to Bernard Cornwell for bringing the common soldiers, and the spectacularly uncommon Richard Sharpe, to life. Iain Gale ...Read Review