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 61 (August 2012)

Helen Keller in Love

By Rosie Sultan - Published 2012

Genres:

Blind and deaf Helen Keller is 37 in 1916. She tours the country speaking about her “miracle” release from the silent darkness of her affliction ...Read Review

The Black Isle

By Sandi Tan - Published 2012

Genres:

Historical Fantasy

Cassandra, Li, and her father live in Shanghai in the 1920s. Li is favored by her father and Cassandra (or Ling as she ...Read Review

The Wild Queen

By Carolyn Meyer - Published 2012

Genres:

Biographical Fiction Children/Young Adult

The Wild Queen is Carolyn Meyer’s latest entry in her Young Royals series, and it’s truly a uniquely fictionalized account of ...Read Review

Raphael: A Passionate Life

By Antonio Forcellino - By Lucinda Byatt (trans.) - Published 2012

Genres:

Nonfiction

Raphael Santi was the painter who did the most to bring art forward from its mediaeval traditions into the glories of the Renaissance. ...Read Review

The Siege

By Nick Brown - Published 2012

Genres:

Adventure Military

270 AD. Queen Zenobia of Palmyra has turned on her erstwhile master, Rome. She has sent her armies across Arabia, Egypt, and Syria to ...Read Review

Lyon’s Bride: The Chattan Curse

By Cathy Maxwell - Published 2012

Genres:

Romance

What is you were obliged to marry to carry on your family name, but cursed to die if you fell in love with ...Read Review

Istanbul was a Fairytale

By Ender Gürol (trans.) - By Mario Levi - Published 2012

Genres:

Literary Short Stories

First published in 1999 in Turkish, İstanbul Bir masaldı won Turkey’s prestigious Yunus Nadi Novel Award in 2000. The novel is not one story ...Read Review

Alligator Lake

By Lynne Bryant - Published 2012

Genres:

Ten years ago Avery Pritchett fled Mississippi brokenhearted and pregnant. Now her brother wants her to return for his wedding, but Avery isn’...Read Review