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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John Murray

A Great Act of Love

By Heather Rose - Published 2026

Genres:

I am new to Heather Rose’s writing, but I can’t remember when I have enjoyed reading a book so much. This ...Read Review

The Last Witch on the Knock

By Aimée MacDonald - Published 2026

Genres:

In Scotland, 21-year-old Thomasin leaves the city to spend the summer with her Aunt Nancy in a small town in the Highlands. Nancy ...Read Review

Eden’s Shore

By Oisãn Fagan - Published 2025

Genres:

Literary

Eden’s Shore is set at some time in the late 18th century (or maybe the early 19th century) mainly in an unnamed ...Read Review

Broken Country

By Clare Leslie Hall - Published 2025

Genres:

Romance

This poignant love story is mainly set in the Dorset countryside, in the 1950s and 1960s. As a teenager, Beth falls in love ...Read Review

The Artist

By Lucy Steeds - Published 2025

Genres:

Provence, 1920. Young art journalist, Joseph Adelaide, arrives at an isolated farmhouse to interview the reclusive artist, Edouard Tartuffe. He wants to discover why ...Read Review

Peggy

By Rebecca Godfrey - Published 2024

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

Many readers know the first and last chapters of Peggy Guggenheim’s life—that she was born into the wealthy Guggenheim family and ...Read Review

North Woods

By Daniel Mason - Published 2023

Genres:

Epic Literary

From the moment two forbidden lovers – the prospective wife of an abusive minister and a reported troublemaker she ironically met at church – flee ...Read Review

Every Rising Sun

By Jamila Ahmed - Published 2023

Genres:

As a young teenager in 12th-century Persia, Shaherazade, daughter of Vizier Muhammad, witnesses the infidelity of the king’s wife. When she notifies ...Read Review