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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Articles

Original features from our print magazines.

Launch: Donna Mack’s Walking the Boundaries

INTERVIEWED BY LESLIE S. LOWE A beekeeper’s daughter, Donna B. Mack was born in Harlan, Iowa, one of five children. Donna was ...Read Article

Peak Decaying Grandeur: A. Rushby’s All Her Beautiful Deaths

BY BETHANY LATHAM A. Rushby had always been interested in the various accoutrements of Victorian mourning, “the elaborate glass carriages and black Belgian ...Read Article

Launch: James C. Sulecki’s Her Own Country

INTERVIEW BY LESLIE S. LOWE James C. Sulecki(opens in new tab) is a lifelong journalist and former chief content officer of a ...Read Article

Launch: Corina Martin-Iordache’s The Playhouse

INTERVIEW BY KATHERINE MEZZACAPPA Corina Martin-Iordache(opens in new tab) is an educator who has taught English and French at all levels of ...Read Article

Launch: M. E. Hotvedt’s Unn’s Saga

INTERVIEW BY KATHERINE KIRKPATRICK Mary E. Hotvedt(opens in new tab) drew on her background as a PhD anthropologist and longtime therapist to ...Read Article

Launch: Jane Lancaster’s Liberty is Sweet

INTERVIEWED BY LESLIE S. LOWEJane Lancaster(opens in new tab) lives in Providence, RI, walks more than she drives, moved from the UK, ...Read Article

Fishbones, Fairy Tales and Family Secrets: Fishbone Cinderella by Elizabeth Lim

BY HELEN PIPER There are fairy godmothers, glass slippers and handsome princes—and then there are magical fishbones. Elizabeth Lim’s Fishbone Cinderella (...Read Article

Launch: Carlo Gibbs’s Silver’s Phoney War

INTERVIEWED BY LESLIE S. LOWE Carlo Gibbs(opens in new tab) is a new author whose Oscar Silver series is the product of ...Read Article

Launch: Tara Lynn Masih’s The Silent Women

INTERVIEW BY ELLEN IRWIN Tara Lynn Masih(opens in new tab) is an award-winning American author of place-based historical novels and short stories, ...Read Article

Maiden, mother, matriarch: the woman behind the legend in The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon

BY JENNY QUINLAN If you’ve any interest in history, particularly about Ireland, strong female figures, or piracy, chances are you’ve heard ...Read Article

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