Historical Novel Society
@histnovsoc.bsky.social
For historical fiction readers and writers across the world. Starting to post here, but volunteer-led and still juggling The Other Place and Facebook, so thank you for your patience!
Missing Celtic fort annihilated by Julius Caesar finally found under Paris hospital, via LiveScience:https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/missing-celtic-fort-annihilated-by-julius-caesar-finally-found-under-paris-hospital
Missing Celtic fort annihilated by Julius Caesar finally found under Paris hospital
Archaeologists in Paris have discovered the remains of a missing Celtic fort sacked by Julius Caesar in 52 B.C.
livescience.com
'Follows a 19th century Italian as he becomes a renowned chef in New York. Delightful dead-pan humour, compelling and immersive.' Editor's Choice: Enrico G by Angela Page Conti, reviewer J.G. Harlond historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/enri...
Enrico G - Historical Novel Society
The hero of this fictionalised memoir is the author’s great-grandfather, Enrico Gardini. A real-life hero, Enrico is a courageous but ordinary man who, during the course of a well-travelled life,…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Writing can be isolating. So why not meet up with your nearest HNS Chapter? We've author groups across the globe! Take a look at: historicalnovelsociety.org/events/
Events Archive - Historical Novel Society
Established in 1997, the Historical Novel Society is an international literary society devoted to promotion and advocacy for the genre of historical fiction.
historicalnovelsociety.org
A stone bust has turned out to be the work of pioneering 19th-Century American artist and feminist figure, Harriet Goodhue Hosmer. Via @BBCNews: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Marble Hosmer sculpture mistaken for garden ornament in Cotswolds
The 19th Century bust, which spent more than 70 years outside, could fetch up to £18,000 at auction.
bbc.co.uk
A witty Regency comedy-of-errors and a compelling exploration of gender roles.' Editor's Choice: A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander, reviewer Michelle J. Ritholz historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/a-la...
A Lady for All Seasons - Historical Novel Society
This witty comedy-of-errors is a delightful spin on the traditional Regency-era romance. After Verbena Montrose’s father loses their family fortune, she must find a husband. Her friend Etienne, a…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Congratulations to our members on their new historical releases! Learn about the Jewish revolt against Rome, the search for the missing Irish Crown Jewels and more: historicalnovelsociety.org/new-books-by...
New books by Historical Novel Society members, August 2026 - Historical Novel Society
Congrats to all HNS members with new books out! If you’ve written a historical novel or nonfiction work published (or to be published) in March 2026 or after, send the following details in via our…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Shedding light on the English saffron industry in the mid-17th century: historicalnovelsociety.org/story-gold-t... #HistoricalFiction
Story Gold: Thomas Mogford's The Saffron Thief - Historical Novel Society
WRITTEN BY SARAH BOWER Thomas Mogford, who writes historical fiction as T. L. Mogford, is a prolific author of crime novels. The Saffron Thief (HarperFiction, 2026) is his second historical novel,…
historicalnovelsociety.org
How Amy Ephron explores the pivotal year of 1939 in 'Unseasonably Cold': historicalnovelsociety.org/the-right-se...
The Right Season for Amy Ephron’s Unseasonably Cold - Historical Novel Society
BY TRISH MACENULTY When Amy Ephron started out to write her noir-ish 1939 mystery, Unseasonably Cold, (The Sager Group, 2026) she did not expect the process to be interrupted by other writing…
historicalnovelsociety.org
What comes first in #HistoricalFiction: the plot, character or location? An interview with Sarah Winman: historicalnovelsociety.org/magic-when-y...
Magic when you least expect it: A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman - Historical Novel Society
BY MARILYN PEMBERTON What comes first, the plot, character or location? For Sarah Winman, ‘Characters always come first … but place is also extremely important.’ Winman believes that ‘What place does…
historicalnovelsociety.org
'A multi-faceted portrayal of Sir Lancelot. Complex, magical, and a grand adventure.' Editor's Choice: The Lost Book of Lancelot by John Glynn, reviewer Michael I. Shoop historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/the-...
The Lost Book of Lancelot - Historical Novel Society
The most famous of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table is the central figure in this compelling novel. Raised in secret on the mystical Isle of Women in pre-Roman Britain, the nameless orphan,…
historicalnovelsociety.org
How dual portals into a faded past were prompted by a visit to Kolkata, India: historicalnovelsociety.org/dual-portals...
Dual Portals into a Faded Past: Almost English by Barbara Sibbald - Historical Novel Society
BY LEE ANN ECKHARDT SMITH Author Barbara Sibbald’s path to writing her latest novel, Almost English (Bayeux Arts, 2025) began in a cemetery in Kolkata, India. This is the burial site of her…
historicalnovelsociety.org
'Following four children in Lithuania, all at risk during WWII. Beautifully presented with utterly moving characterisation.' Editor's Choice: Palaces of the Crow by Ray Nayler, reviewer Adele Wills historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/pala... #HistoricalFiction
Palaces of the Crow - Historical Novel Society
Palaces of the Crow is an inventive, beautifully written work that I cannot recommend highly enough. It is historical fiction – the story is set in Lithuania during WWII with later excursions to 1971…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Turning fantasy into a story that resonates: historicalnovelsociety.org/stranger-tha... #HistoricalFiction
Stranger Than We Think?: Francis Spufford on Turning Fantasy into a Story that Resonates - Historical Novel Society
WRITTEN BY LUCINDA BYATT Francis Spufford is the author of the historical novels Golden Hill (his 2016 award-winning debut), Light Perpetual (2021, nominated for the Booker Prize) and Cahokia Jazz…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Experience California in the 1960s in The Summer Of Love by Kerri Maher: historicalnovelsociety.org/choices-and-...
Choices and Secrets: Summer of Love by Kerri Maher - Historical Novel Society
BY LEE ANN ECKHARDT SMITH California history, addiction and recovery, winemaking and the hippie culture of the 1960s are all part of Kerri Maher’s latest, complex novel, Summer of Love (Berkley, July…
historicalnovelsociety.org
'A fictionalised telling of a true unsung heroine. Well-written and deeply moving.' Editor's Choice: The Nun of Ravensbrück by Cathi Fleming, reviewer David Northover historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/the-...
The Nun of Ravensbrück - Historical Novel Society
Sister Kate McCarthy spends WWI at the convent at Béthune in France. After the war, she is transferred to Louisiana, but at the start of WWII she is transferred back. One of Kate’s duties is to treat…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Forthcoming Historical Novels for 2027 featuring Marion of Sherwood, Shakespeare, Canada's first prime minister, Sherlock Holmes' mother and others: historicalnovelsociety.org/forthcoming-...
Forthcoming Historical Novels for 2027 - Historical Novel Society
The Historical Novel Society lists a comprehensive range of titles from mainstream and small press publishers for novels set from ancient times to the mid-1970s. Titles are listed alphabetically, by…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Vicki Kondelik interviews historical fiction author Margaret George about her work and the changing nature of the genre: historicalnovelsociety.org/a-leader-in-...
A Leader in the Field: A Profile of Historical Novelist Margaret George - Historical Novel Society
Margaret George has been one of the leading authors of historical fiction since the publication of her first novel, The Autobiography of Henry VIII (St. Martin’s, 1986). Her body of work is…
historicalnovelsociety.org
'Brazil, 1877. A powerful Gothic tale exploring female independence in a society dominated by men and religion.' Editor's Choice: An Immaculate Deception by Isabela Livino, reviewer Adele Wills historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/an-i...
An Immaculate Deception - Historical Novel Society
An Immaculate Deception is the debut novel of Brazilian writer, Isabela Livino – and what an impressive debut it is. Described as Gothic fiction, the novel uses aspects of the genre, reinventing them…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Need a book designer? Check out the choices some of our Historical Novel Society members have made, along with a link to the designer: historicalnovelsociety.org/historical-f...
Guide: Historical Fiction Book Cover Designers - Historical Novel Society
Searching for historical fiction book cover designers? Check out some examples here, including links to the designers themselves.
historicalnovelsociety.org
#HistoricalFiction resources for researching life in the Great Depression of the 1930s: historicalnovelsociety.org/researching-...
Researching Life in the Great Depression: 1930s - Historical Novel Society
BY B.J. SEDLOCK I would count the Great Depression as one of the periods of Western history which stands out as a particularly interesting setting for a historical novel. The struggle of the…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Ashton Lattimore’s rollicking ride through the Prohibition era Black communities of Martha’s Vineyard and Boston: historicalnovelsociety.org/women-run-th... #HistoricalFiction
Women Run the Business in Ashton Lattimore’s Runner - Historical Novel Society
BY CAROLINE WILSON Ashton Lattimore’s Runner (Ballantine, 2026) is a rollicking ride through the Prohibition era Black communities of Martha’s Vineyard and Boston. Lena Jameson, the daughter of a…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Congratulations to our members on their new #HistoricalFiction releases! They span many eras, including the Roman Republic, the Norman Conquest and WWII: historicalnovelsociety.org/new-books-by...
New books by Historical Novel Society members, August 2026 - Historical Novel Society
Congrats to all HNS members with new books out! If you’ve written a historical novel or nonfiction work published (or to be published) in March 2026 or after, send the following details in via our…
historicalnovelsociety.org
'Follows the self-discovery of Lucie from an English boarding school in the 1930s to being an expat in Ceylon in the 1950s. Richly woven and wonderfully descriptive.' Editor's Choice: The Ruins by Becky Docton, reviewer R. Hayes historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/the-...
The Ruins - Historical Novel Society
This is a long and richly woven book, written with the assurance of a seasoned storyteller, yet it is Becky Docton’s debut novel. Lucie, a bewildered seven-year-old, newly arrived in England, is…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Researching historical weather? Or food from the past? This list of websites and books will whisk you away to a sunny forecast for accuracy: historicalnovelsociety.org/weather-and-...
Weather History: Story Ideas and Research Sources - Historical Novel Society
Researching historical weather? This list of websites and books will ensure a sunny forecast for accuracy in your novel.
historicalnovelsociety.org
'Follows three women of Chinese heritage who can 'see' a person’s past when they touch them. A sensory feast of a page-turner.' Editor's Choice: Fishbone Cinderella by Elizabeth Lim, reviewer Kristen McDermott historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/fish...
Fishbone Cinderella - Historical Novel Society
In this absorbing family saga, we meet two fascinating women: Yut Ying, born in Guangdong in 1933, and her daughter, Marigold, born in San Francisco in 1958. Most of the novel narrates Yut Ying’s…
historicalnovelsociety.org
Need a story idea for your historical novel? B.J. Sedlock presents a medley of ideas on our website: historicalnovelsociety.org/farrago-of-r...
Farrago of Research: Story Ideas for Historical Novels - Historical Novel Society
Enjoy browsing through this mix of websites and books for historical fiction story ideas. From libraries to surnames, spark your imagination.
historicalnovelsociety.org
'Follows the immortal Beatrix from 1605 onwards. An ambitious, emotionally driven historical romance.' Editor's Choice: All We Have Is Time by Amy Tordoff, reviewer Williamaye Jones historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/all-...
All We Have Is Time - Historical Novel Society
Set across centuries, All We Have Is Time opens in fragments—brief glimpses of moments and places that may initially feel disorienting. But once the novel finds its rhythm, those temporal snippets…
historicalnovelsociety.org
If you're researching historical diseases like pellagra, cholera and milk sickness, this list of websites will help: historicalnovelsociety.org/online-histo...
Online Historical Medical Resources - Historical Novel Society
A list of websites offering historical medical resources on diseases like pellagra, cholera and milk sickness.
historicalnovelsociety.org
Colourful swearing in the Middle Ages, and what would be cause for punishment via Medievalists - www.medievalists.net/2026/05/swea...
Medieval Swear Words: What People Really Said in the Middle Ages - Medievalists.net
People in the Middle Ages swore very differently from us. Explore medieval swear words, insults, and religious oaths that shocked medieval society.
medievalists.net
In 1905, Raffles the “Gentleman Thief” witnesses the aftermath of a murder... Written with panache, imagination and wit.' Editor's Choice: The Great Game by Arvind Ethan David, reviewer Marina Maxwell historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/the-...
The Great Game - Historical Novel Society
In 1905, A.J. Raffles, the “Gentleman Thief” or “Amateur Cracksman”, is reconnoitering a country house for jewels to burgle when he witnesses the aftermath of a macabre murder. Together with his…
historicalnovelsociety.org