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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Lucinda Byatt

The Bellini Card

By Jason Goodwin - Published 2008

Genres:

This is Goodwin’s third novel featuring Yashim, the Ottoman detective whose charm and quick wits amply make up for the absence of ...Read Review

Worldwide Adventures in Love

By Louise Wener - Published 2008

Genres:

Adventure Saga

In her fifth novel, Wener examines the influence of scandal on personal relationships in two very distinct periods of British history: the 1930s ...Read Review

Discovery at Rosetta: The Stone that Unlocked the Mysteries of Ancient Egypt

By Jonathan Downs - Published 2008

Genres:

Nonfiction

It was a real revelation to read the story behind the discovery of the Rosetta stone. Referred to by William Hamilton as the ‘...Read Review

An Atlas of Impossible Longing

By Anuradha Roy - Published 2008

Genres:

Literary Romance Saga

This a poignant love story spanning three periods of India’s turbulent history between 1907 and the mid 1950s and three generations of ...Read Review

The Last Station

By Jay Parini - Published 2007

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

This ambitious book sets out to give an account of Tolstoy’s final year (1910) that blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction. ...Read Review

A Vengeful Longing

By R. N. Morris - Published 2008

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

This is the sequel to the highly acclaimed A Gentle Axe, the first of Morris’s books to feature the investigating magistrate Porfiry ...Read Review

The Last Train to Kazan

By Stephen Miller - Published 2007

Genres:

Mystery/Crime Thriller

Ryzhkov, a former Tsarist agent who appeared in A Game of Soldiers, returns to Moscow only to be picked up by the Bolshevik ...Read Review

Special Assignments

By Andrew Bromfield (trans.) - By Boris Akunin - Published 2007

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

In this latest addition to the Erast Fandorin series, Akunin offers his international fans a double dose of intriguing and absolutely unputdownable novellas ...Read Review