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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  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.
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Scribner

An Elegant Woman

By Martha McPhee - Published 2020

Genres:

Needing money to fund their mother’s long-term care, Isadora and her sisters meet at their family home to prepare for its sale. ...Read Review

Feast Your Eyes

By Myla Goldberg - Published 2019

Genres:

Literary

Lillian Preston is a woman driven to capture her unique world vision through the lens of her camera. In 1953, the seventeen-year old abandons ...Read Review

West

By Carys Davies - Published 2018

Genres:

Literary Western

This slim volume houses a simple “journey” plot within an incredibly nuanced presentation. Sometime after the Lewis and Clark Expedition, widower Cyrus Bellman ...Read Review

The Verdun Affair

By Nick Dybek - Published 2018

Genres:

Literary

This novel switches back and forth between California in 1950 and France and Italy as they recover from war in 1921. The title refers to ...Read Review

Dear Mrs Bird

By A. J. Pearce - Published 2018

Genres:

London, 1942. Emmy Lakes is an eager young woman who aspires to be a journalist tackling the hard issues of the day. She shares ...Read Review

American Histories

By John Edgar Wideman - Published 2018

Genres:

Literary Short Stories

In his new short story collection, American Histories, John Edgar Wideman explores current situations by delving into the past, a sort of marriage ...Read Review

Manhattan Beach

By Jennifer Egan - Published 2017

Genres:

The latest book by Pulitzer Prize-winner Jennifer Egan is quite a change from A Visit from the Goon Squad. In Manhattan Beach, the ...Read Review

The Rules of Magic

By Alice Hoffman - Published 2017

Genres:

This prequel to Hoffman’s famous Practical Magic portrays the story of the Aunts and their intriguing past. Franny, Bridget (Jet), and Vincent ...Read Review

The History of Bees

By Maja Lunde - Published 2017

Genres:

Literary

In 1851, Hertfordshire seed merchant William struggles to rouse from depression and revive his passion for science. His daughter, Charlotte, helps him forward with ...Read Review