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 59 (February 2012)

The Schoolmaster’s Daughter

By John Smolens - Published 2011

Genres:

This story, an action-packed, superbly written piece of historical fiction, takes place in Boston and covers the two months from Paul Revere’s ...Read Review

The Winter Palace

By Eva Stachniak - Published 2012

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

When shy Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst arrives at the Russian court to marry Empress Elizabeth Petrovna’s nephew and heir, Peter, no one ...Read Review

Unrest in Eden

By Florence Byham Weinberg - Published 2011

Genres:

Mystery/Crime Thriller

Unrest in Eden is the fourth novel in a series about the adventures of Father Ignaz Pfefferkorn, a character based upon a real-life 18...Read Review

At the King’s Pleasure (Secrets of the Tudor Court)

By Kate Emerson - Published 2011

Genres:

Biographical Fiction Romance

The successful author of Pleasure Palace, Between Two Queens and By Royal Decree returns us to the ever-popular Tudor court and another real ...Read Review

A Country Gentleman

By Ann Barker - Published 2011

Genres:

Romance

Lavinia Muir and her friend, the flirtatious Isobel Macclesfield, visit Lavinia’s godmother and her son, Lord Thurlby. He can only recall a ...Read Review

Iago

By David Snodin - Published 2012

Genres:

Adventure

Iago, Shakespeare’s famous villain, has escaped from Cyprus, leaving a trail of corpses behind him. He falls into the hands of Annibale ...Read Review

The Black Hawk

By Joanna Bourne - Published 2011

Genres:

Romance

Joanna Bourne always manages to pack her historical romances with plenty of plot twists, multi-layered characters, and deftly placed historical detail, yet she ...Read Review

The Judas Blade

By John Pilkington - Published 2011

Genres:

Adventure Thriller

Betsy Brand, an actress in the relaxed culture of Restoration England, is doing well financially, but her friends and family are not. Being ...Read Review