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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Kristen McDermott

The Quarter Queen

By Kayla Hardy - Published 2026

Genres:

Fans of Anne Rice’s vampire novels will love this eventful imagining of the coming-of-age of Marie (“Ree”) Laveau II, the heir to ...Read Review

The Original

By Priya Parmar - Published 2026

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

Enigmatic film star Katharine Hepburn was a figure of fascination in her own time: tall, patrician, redheaded, and androgynous, she played fierce, outspoken ...Read Review

To Kill a Cook

By W.M. Akers - Published 2026

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Food critic Bernice Black is having a hell of a week, which started when she discovered the severed head of her friend and ...Read Review

The Choir

By Carol M. Cram - Published 2026

Genres:

Childhood friends Eliza Kingwell and Ruth Henton live completely different lives. Eliza works herself to exhaustion caring for five energetic daughters and a ...Read Review

Christmas at the Women’s Hotel: A Biedermeier Story

By Daniel M Lavery - Published 2025

Genres:

Lavery follows up his debut novel, Women’s Hotel, with a seasonal sequel that catches readers up on his charming cast of characters ...Read Review

It Girl

By Allison Pataki - Published 2026

Genres:

Pataki offers a detailed explanation about why and how she altered the names, and more importantly, the climactic outcome of the famous “Crime ...Read Review

I Am You

By Victoria Redel - Published 2025 Published 2026

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

Historical fiction detailing the poorly documented life of women artists is in vogue now, and this novel presents a rich and sensual narrative ...Read Review

Uncovered in Merriweather

By Michelle Cox - Published 2025

Genres:

In her Jane Austen in Wisconsin series, Cox plans to incorporate the plots of five of Austen’s novels into the adventures of ...Read Review

The War Within Me (Queens of Navarre)

By Tracy Ryan - Published 2025

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

The French Wars of Religion (1562-98) are an endlessly fascinating period, not the least because the actions of female rulers were so instrumental ...Read Review