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 76 (May 2016)

A Front Page Affair: A Kitty Weeks Mystery

By Radha Vatsal - Published 2016

Genres:

Kitty Weeks is a reporter in the Ladies’ Fashion section of The Sentinel newspaper. She really doesn’t have to work, as she ...Read Review

The Last Painting of Sara de Vos

By Dominic Smith - Published 2016

Genres:

This is a beautifully written, gripping historical novel centered on the forgery of a Dutch Golden Age painting and two women: the one ...Read Review

Betrayed

By Lynn Carthage - Published 2016

Genres:

Children/Young Adult Time-slip

In the second book in the Arnaud Legacy series, teenagers Phoebe, Miles, and Eleanor follow Phoebe’s family to Versailles, where the teenagers ...Read Review

A Slice of the Moon

By Sandi Toksvig - Published 2015

Genres:

Adventure Children/Young Adult

Rosalind Hannigan’s tale begins in 1845 in a poor but loving home in Ballysmaragaid, Ireland. Affectionately called ‘Slim’ by her storyteller father, the ...Read Review

Swords Around the Throne: Twilight of Empire II

By Ian Ross - Published 2015

Genres:

Adventure Military

Swords Around the Throne is the second novel in Ian Ross’ Twilight of Empire series, set amid the fallout in the late Roman ...Read Review

Akin to Murder: The Inspector Faro Series

By Alanna Knight - Published 2016

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

It is 1864, and Detective Sergeant Jeremy Faro is counting his blessings. He has what many would consider an ideal family life with his ...Read Review

The Daredevils

By Gary Amdahl - Published 2016

Genres:

Literary

Charles Minot is the son of wealthy, politically connected parents who run a theater in San Francisco. After the 1906 earthquake destroys their theater, ...Read Review

The St. Simons Island Club

By Brent Monahan - Published 2015

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

The St. Simons Island Club is the fourth in Brent Monahan’s John LeBrun mystery series. The time is 1908 and LeBrun, retired police ...Read Review

Lord Byron’s Prophecy

By Sean Eads - Published 2015

Genres:

Historical Fantasy

One part of this strangely structured novel involves Lord Byron and Percy Shelley between 1816 and 1824. A larger portion concerns an American university professor ...Read Review