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.
  Browse our magazines
  
  Submit your novel for review
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.
Contact Us

20th Century

The Moonlight Runner

By Karen Robards - Published 2026

Genres:

During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1922), the people of Ireland lived precariously. Although two hundred thousand Irishmen had fought in WWI, Ireland ...Read Review

Murder at the Moulin Rouge: A Blackwell & Watson Time-Travel Mystery

By Carol Pouliot - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime Time-slip

Steven Blackwell is a 1930s police detective. Olivia Watson is a 21st-century journalist. This cozy mystery is their fifth time-travel adventure, with a ...Read Review

Where They Gather

By Jamiel Law (illus.) - By Teresa Rodrigues - Published 2026

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

As noted in the afterword, Rodrigues uses her own family’s background to create this poetic picture book that follows generations of a ...Read Review

Margery and Me

By Maryka Biaggio - Published 2026

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

Sometimes what makes a book unique is its perspective. The narrator in this novel about the 1920s spiritualism craze is a spirit himself, ...Read Review

Rose by the Sea: An Armenian Journey of Courage and Hope

By Myo Yim (illus.) - By Rebecca Rose Mooradian - Published 2026

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

Dzovinar, which means “rose by the sea,” lives cozily with her sister and parents in a cottage beside a lake, surrounded by flowers. ...Read Review

My Father’s Orchards

By Domnica Radulescu - Published 2025

Genres:

Literary Saga

Few historical novels have touched on the long trauma of the Romanian people, from the violent aftermath of the Russian Revolution in 1917, to ...Read Review

Westward Women

By Alice Martin - Published 2026

Genres:

Literary

Set in 1973 during the Vietnam War, Westward Women combines historical, dystopian, and road trip fiction. A mysterious virus is affecting young women who, ...Read Review

The Lost Girl of Craven County

By Emily Matchar - Published 2026

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

This story takes place in New Bern and Craven County, North Carolina, in 1939. The protagonist is Millie, a 25-year-old Jewish “old maid” living ...Read Review

Portrait of an Unknown Woman

By Camille de Peretti - By Hildegarde Serle (trans.) - Published 2026

Genres:

Literary

Gustav Klimt originally painted Portrait of a Lady in 1910 and retouched it in 1917. Why did Klimt modify the painting? Who was his model? ...Read Review