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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Military

A hero for our time too: Sharpe’s Storm by Bernard Cornwell

By Claire Morris - Article Published December 3, 2025

BY TOM WILLIAMS Fans of Bernard Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe, and there are many, are very familiar with the Peninsular War. Sharpe started ...Read Article

A North American scrap: War on the Inland Sea by Thomas Briggs

By Claire Morris - Article Published September 4, 2025

BY TOM WILLIAMS North American history seems to be peppered with wars that everyone has forgotten. At the beginning of the year, few ...Read Article

Launch: C. Q. Turnstone’s Avarice of Empire

By Tracey Warr - Article Published April 3, 2025

INTERVIEW BY ANNE EASTER SMITH Before studying for a Master’s in Imperial and Global History at the University of Exeter, C.Q. ...Read Article

Launch: Patrick Larsimont’s The Wire and the Lines: Fighter Pilot Turned Prisoner of War

By Tracey Warr - Article Published February 28, 2025

INTERVIEW BY LESLIE S. LOWE Patrick Larsimont was an advertising executive before taking up writing during lockdown. His debut WW2 Aviation thriller, The ...Read Article

Medieval Weapons and Warfare: Research Sources

By Claire Morris - Article Published December 1, 2024

BY B.J. SEDLOCK A scan of the Historical Novels Review shows that there are fewer historical novels set in the Middle Ages ...Read Article

Launch: Jon Byrne’s Sword Brethren

By Tracey Warr - Article Published November 29, 2024

INTERVIEW BY DAVID CONNON Jon Byrne, originally from London, now lives with his German family by a lake in Bavaria with stunning views ...Read Article

Incorporating firearms into your historical novel

By Claire Morris - Article Published June 16, 2024

BY B.J. SEDLOCK Even if you are not writing a Western or military fiction, you may still need to research types ...Read Article

Life Under My Belt: Kristin Hannah’s Commitment to Women’s Friendship & Telling Their Lost Stories

By Bethany Latham - Article Published May 1, 2024

WRITTEN BY MARY TOD Kristen Hannah does not tackle light-hearted topics. Instead, her novels consider women and men facing tragic circumstances, life-altering decisions, ...Read Article

Launch: L.S. Mangos’ The Secrets of Morgarten

By Tracey Warr - Article Published April 9, 2024

INTERVIEW BY ELLEN IRWIN Author Louise Mangos – also writing as L.S. Mangos – grew up in the UK but has spent more than ...Read Article

Launch: Daniel Pugsley’s Son of Babylon

By Tracey Warr - Article Published November 16, 2023

INTERVIEW BY ELLEN IRWIN Daniel Pugsley is a college lecturer in ESOL and English. He spent a decade living and working in Italy, ...Read Article

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