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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Quill Tree Books

Each and Every Spark

By Claire Swinarski - Published 2026

Genres:

Claire Swinarski’s latest dual-track middle grade novel is set in Paris, where two 13-year-old heroines are living at different times with loss, ...Read Review

The Home We Dreamed

By Anca Sandu Budisan - Published 2026

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

When a young couple is only allowed a small plot of land by the river, they use their hands to make bricks for ...Read Review

Botticelli’s Apprentice: A Graphic Novel

By Ursula Murray Husted - Published 2025

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

Florence, Italy, 1482. At the height of the Italian Renaissance, young Mella is a gifted artist relegated to the role of tending chickens for ...Read Review

Lost in the Empire City

By Avi - Published 2024

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

In 1911, thirteen-year-old Santo Alfonsi and his family leave their poverty-stricken village in Italy to join Santo’s father, who emigrated to America five ...Read Review

Sparrows in the Wind

By Gail Carson Levine - Published 2022

Genres:

Children/Young Adult Epic

A powerful retelling of the fall of Troy, Sparrows in the Wind brings readers into the world of Cassandra and her hope to ...Read Review

All These Bodies

By Kendare Blake - Published 2021

Genres:

Children/Young Adult Mystery/Crime

Summer 1958, and the upper Midwest is plagued by serial murders. Every victim has been bled dry, but the scenes were “suspiciously clean of ...Read Review

Dark Rise (Dark Rise, 1)

By C. S. Pacat - Published 2021

Genres:

Children/Young Adult Historical Fantasy

This historical fantasy for readers 14 years and up starts with Will, a boy trying to earn a living working at the London docks ...Read Review

A Sitting in St. James

By Rita Williams-Garcia - Published 2021

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

For many years, Madame Sylvie Guilbert has been mistress of Le Petit Cottage, a plantation in St. James, Louisiana. Originally an aristocrat from ...Read Review