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 110 (November 2024)

The Wildes: A Novel in Five Acts

By Louis Bayard - Published 2024

Genres:

Behind the sensational headlines of Oscar Wilde’s affair with Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas is Oscar’s family dealing with the fallout. This “...Read Review

The Propagandist

By Cécile Desprairies - By Natasha Lehrer (trans.) - Published 2024 Published 2025

Genres:

Biographical Fiction Literary

In the 1960s, when she is six or seven years old, Coline begins paying attention to her mother Lucie’s regular morning gatherings ...Read Review

Wings to Soar

By Tina Athaide - Published 2024

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

Forty percent of the world’s 47 million refugees are under the age of 18. In the middle-grade novel Wings to Soar, Tina Athaide uses ...Read Review

The Sparkler

By Alan Humm - Published 2024

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

It is probably true that many people base their view of Charles Dickens, the man, on his relationship with the characters he created ...Read Review

Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor

By A.J. Skelly - Published 2024

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Lady Emma Grace Hastings cannot believe her eyes—or her good luck. She has received one of only ten coveted invitations to the ...Read Review

The Secrets of Morgarten

By L S Mangos - Published 2023

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

A handsome knight on the run with a secret mission, a charming tracker with a famous father and a position of pacifism, and ...Read Review

Florida Girls (The Queenpin Chronicles)

By L L Kirchner - Published 2024

Genres:

It’s October 1944, and 18-year-old Thelma Miles finds herself in St. Petersburg, Florida – stranded after her bus to Miami leaves without her because ...Read Review

The Longest Exile (The Exile Duology)

By Tana Rebellis - Published 2024

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

Being the granddaughter of the great Augustus should come with benefits, right? Not so for the protagonist of Ms. Rebellis’s novel. Instead, ...Read Review