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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9th Century

The Last Days

By Lindsay Jacob - Published 2025

Genres:

In the 9th-century reign of Athelstan of East Anglia, the aeldorman Aelfric is sent to look into a strange attack on monastery lands ...Read Review

Ripples Through Time

By Christina Courtenay - Published 2025

Genres:

Time-slip

Christina Courtenay has honed her approach to dual-time romantic historical fiction with skill, making her novels in this style among the best in ...Read Review

Catan: The Order of the Ravens (The Catan Series)

By Klaus Teuber - Published 2025

Genres:

Set eighteen years after the events of Catan, Klaus Teuber returns to the Island of the Sun to explore the next generation of ...Read Review

The House of Wolf (The House of Aethelwolf)

By Tony Robinson - Published 2025

Genres:

Towards the end of his reign, King Wolf heads off on pilgrimage, leaving his kingdom in the care of his sons Bear and ...Read Review

Daughter of Doom

By Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem - By Kristen Gehrman (trans.) - Published 2025

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

In Denmark, 870 AD, Yrsa’s world is tipped upside-down when a heated argument reveals that her mother was a slave instead of a ...Read Review

The Viking Sword (Edwin of Wimborne Anglo-Saxon Mysteries)

By Elizabeth Springer - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

This novel is set in 9th-century Wessex during the reign of King Alfred. Edwin’s Christmas festivities are interrupted by a series of ...Read Review

Rán’s Daughters

By Kaitlin Felix - Published 2025

Genres:

Fierce Norsewoman Gyda lives life on her own terms, adventuring as a trader across stormy seas in the Viking Age with an all-woman ...Read Review

The Wanderer and the Way (Cuthbert’s People)

By G. M Baker - Published 2025

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

Set mainly in ninth-century Spain, the subject of this book is a man named Theodemir, a historical bishop who helped found the pilgrimage ...Read Review