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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HNR Issue 102 (November 2022)

Bitter Draughts (The Paris Trilogy)

By Yves Fey - Published 2022

Genres:

Paris Police Detective Michael Devaux excels at solving crimes in 1898 Paris. A varied cast of characters befriend him and sometimes aid him, including ...Read Review

The Once and Future Queen: Guinevere Reimagined

By Parker J. Cole - Published 2022

Genres:

Alternate History

515 AD. Gwenhwyfar and Arthur are both on the cusp of retaking their lands. Their plans have been shaping for 10 years now. Gwenhwyfar, born ...Read Review

Ernestine

By Michiel B.L. Korte - Published 2022

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

This novel tells the true story of Ernestine Lambriquet, the ten-year-old daughter of servants at Versailles just before the French Revolution. After the ...Read Review

The Accidental Stowaway

By Judith Eagle - By Kim Geyer (illus.) - Published 2022

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

Liverpool, 1910. The awkward 12-year-old Patch has spent her childhood being handed from one reluctant relation to another—she knows she doesn’t fit ...Read Review

The Forgotten Cottage

By Courtney Ellis - Published 2022

Genres:

This dual-time novel set in North Yorkshire connects several generations of women through one cottage in a tiny village. In 2014, Audrey inherits a ...Read Review

An Orphan’s Song (Shilling Grange Children’s Home)

By Lizzie Page - Published 2022

Genres:

Saga

This is Book Three in the Shilling Grange Children’s Home series, with books Four and Five still to come. It is 1951 in ...Read Review

The Importance of Sons: Chronicles of the House of Valois

By Keira Morgan - Published 2022

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

The Importance of Sons focuses on Duchess Anne of Brittany and Countess Louise d’Angoulême, and their open rivalry over who would ...Read Review

Murder on the Underground Railroad: A Historical Thriller (The Moorheads)

By Craig Pennington - Published 2022

Genres:

Thriller

Indiana, Pennsylvania, 1826. When two escaped, formerly enslaved men are found brutally murdered in a barn, the county sheriff shows no interest in investigating. ...Read Review

A Trace of Poison (A Phyllida Bright Mystery)

By Colleen Cambridge - Published 2022

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

A Trace of Poison is second in a historical mystery series featuring Phyllida Bright, fictional housekeeper at Mallowan Hall in Devon, England—estate ...Read Review