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.
  Browse our magazines
  
  Submit your novel for review
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.
Contact Us

HNR Issue 94 (November 2020)

Interviewing The Dead (Carlyle & West Victorian Mysteries)

By David Field - Published 2020

Genres:

London, 1892. After a popular spiritualist predicts revenge upon the city for disturbing a 1665 mass grave, people begin seeing vengeful spirits appear at night. ...Read Review

We Germans: A Novel

By Alexander Starritt - Published 2020

Genres:

Literary

This novella comprises a long letter written by a German grandfather, Meissner, to his Scottish grandson, Callum. On a visit, seventeen months in ...Read Review

Here We Are

By Graham Swift - Published 2020

Genres:

Historical Fantasy

Set during the summer of 1959 in the seaside town of Brighton, England, this novel tells the story of three main characters. Jack Robinson ...Read Review

The Young Survivors

By Debra Barnes - Published 2020

Genres:

Even before the outbreak of World War II, the Laskowski children’s lives aren’t easy. Their parents are Polish Jews who have ...Read Review

Lionhearts (Nottingham 2)

By Nathan Makaryk - Published 2020

Genres:

Adventure

Nathan Makaryk’s sophomore novel picks up some months after the shocking conclusion of his first, Nottingham. In this Game-of-Thrones-like treatment of the ...Read Review

In the Lion’s Den (The House of Falconer Series, 2)

By Barbara Taylor Bradford - Published 2020

Genres:

Saga

In the Lion’s Den, Book Two of the House of Falconer series, opens in London, 1889, with James Lionel Falconer about to face ...Read Review

A British Heiress in America (Revolutionary Women)

By Becky Lower - Published 2020

Genres:

Romance

Lady Philippa (Pippa) Worthington has stowed away on a ship bound for America near the beginning of the American Revolution. Discovered by the ...Read Review

Spiteful Bones (A Crispin Guest Mystery, 14)

By Jeri Westerson - Published 2021

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

The Tracker of London, Crispin Guest, must solve a 20-year-old murder in his 14th adventure, set in 1398. Lawyer Nigellus Cobmartin has just inherited ...Read Review