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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Jan Middleton

Muse of Fire

By Howard Linskey - Published 2026

Genres:

Shakespeare the sleuth, skulking around Whitehall trying to solve a murder? Actually, this novel is an incredibly jolly romp, marrying expert historical knowledge ...Read Review

Heiresses: Marriage, Inheritance and Caribbean Slavery

By Miranda Kaufmann - Published 2025

Genres:

Nonfiction

In this fascinating study, Miranda Kaufmann explores the lives of nine women whose wealth derived from the slave trade. Scholarly and incredibly well ...Read Review

Sycorax

By Nydia Hetherington - Published 2025

Genres:

Historical Fantasy

Healer or witch? Wise woman or sorceress? Sycorax was created and exists in a world woven from mythology and history, where her parents’ ...Read Review

A Poisoner’s Tale

By Cathryn Kemp - Published 2024

Genres:

Mystery/Crime Thriller

Cathryn Kemp states that her novel ‘is dedicated to every woman who knows how it feels when his key turns in the lock’. ...Read Review

Miss Austen Investigates

By Jessica Bull - Published 2024

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Jane Austen’s world, with its intelligent heroines, romance and issues of propriety, is blended deliciously with murder mystery motifs, resulting in an ...Read Review

Battle Lord (The Wulfbury Chronicles, 2)

By P. W. Finch - Published 2024

Genres:

Adventure

Nearly a thousand years ago, England endured its last invasion. After the chaos of Senlac Ridge, Cerdic, who is a young scion of ...Read Review

The Winter List

By S.G. MacLean - Published 2023

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

This sixth in the popular Damian Seeker series will attract readers fond of the historical crime genre. We are in York in the ...Read Review

Clytemnestra

By Costanza Casati - Published 2023

Genres:

Epic

“Survival, strength and courage are your duties,” the King of Sparta tells the girls (including his daughters) training to wrestle just like their ...Read Review