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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Biographical Fiction

Disobedient

By Elizabeth Fremantle - Published 2023

Genres:

Elizabeth Fremantle brings the story of Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi to life in Disobedient. Gentileschi is arguably the most famous female painter to ...Read Review

The First Ladies

By Marie Benedict - By Victoria Christopher Murray - Published 2023

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

The First Ladies is a riveting look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s political rise to First Lady and her eyebrow-raising friendship with civil rights ...Read Review

The Lioness of Boston

By Emily Franklin - Published 2023

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

The Lioness of Boston is a fictionalized biography of Isabella Stewart Gardner, the prolific art collector who eventually turned her Boston home into ...Read Review

Bessie

By Linda Kass - Published 2023

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

This fictionalized history closely follows Bess Myerson’s life from age twelve in 1936 through her Miss America victory in 1945, followed a year later ...Read Review

A Blackened Mirror (Memoirs of the Borgia Sibyl)

By Jo Graham - Published 2023

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

1489, Italy. Giulia Farnese longs for a marriage that will take her away from her village, and though she is of good family, her ...Read Review

After Anne: A Novel of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Life

By Logan Steiner - Published 2023

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

After Anne opens in 1942, with the son of a famous mother who has just died, arriving at her home and fearing she has ...Read Review

The King’s Jewel

By Elizabeth Chadwick - Published 2023

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

Bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Chadwick is a mistress of the pen, known for her meticulously researched novels focusing on royalty and nobles ...Read Review

The Swiss Nurse

By Mario Escobar - Published 2023

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

This novel is based on the real-life story of Elisabeth Eidenbenz, who ministered to the orphaned children and expectant mothers displaced by the ...Read Review