HNS 25th Anniversary

HNS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

For its 25th anniversary, the Society's members share what the HNS means to them

In 1997, Richard Lee took it upon himself to establish in the United Kingdom a society for the furtherance of historical fiction. Beginnings were small and, by Lee’s accounting, inauspicious (members’ dues were solicited with an A4 leaflet plus his “(assumed) integrity and (implied) hard work”). From this, the Historical Novel Society has grown into an international organization that demonstrates a notable impact on the genre, those who write in it, and those who love to read it. This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our founding, as well as the 100th issue of the Historical Novels Review.

We thought a fitting marker for the occasion would be to allow the Society to speak for itself – to hear from membership about how the Society has affected them personally. Many answered the call, from authors to reviewers to reading enthusiasts (some all rolled into one).

When it comes to the genre, members are effusive about how the Society has expanded their scope, especially through the tens of thousands of reviews published by HNR over the last quarter century. B.J. Sedlock says, “Writing reviews for the HNS has broadened my horizons, reading and reviewing books set in locations or periods I might not normally be drawn to for plain old recreational reading.” Melissa Warren notes her joy in finding inclusive YA authors like Chloe Gong and C.B. Lee, “The reviews and quarterly magazines help teachers and media specialists find new voices that expand representation and students’ understanding of history and themselves.” Gail Murray considers it a “privilege” to review for HNR, allowing her to “discover so many wonderful authors.” Julia Stoneham feels similarly, “I appreciate the variety of subject matter HNR offers me. HNR is well respected, highly valued, and A Very Good Thing.” Susan Lowell quotes Ursula K. LeGuin, “’The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp.’ But the best part: ‘The reader, reading it, makes it live: a live thing, a story,’ and it’s my privilege to experience so many other writers’ living stories.”

Author and reviewer Penny Ingham declares, “Membership has brought me so much pleasure over the last twelve years. Writing reviews for the Society has introduced me to so many authors I might not otherwise have come across.” Jasmina Svenne also notes this effect: “As a long-time reviewer, I have read some amazing books that I would probably never have bought if left to my own devices.” As an author, Ingham was thrilled to see her novel selected as an Editors’ Choice in 2010, and Svenne values the chances to connect, “I belong to several writers’ organisations, but if money became an issue, the HNS would be the last one I would give up. I have made several friends at the UK Conferences – two of them now very close friends – and I’ve twice had short stories published in the HNS anthologies.”

Rebecca Cochran, a reviewer and former US Reviews Editor, echoes this theme of finding connection: “I was introduced to the HNS nearly 17 years ago. Becoming a reviewer combined my love of reading, historical fiction, and writing. Since then, I have met many wonderful colleagues, both during my time as reviewer and as an editor. Because of my passion for HNR, my daughter became equally intrigued with history, and has also reviewed books over the last several years. Through this bond, we have found new authors, learned so much, and continue to swap books back and forth.” J. Lynn Else, Indie Reviews Editor, says, “In my reading community, I don’t have many historical fiction fans to talk with. The HNS is a breath of fresh air! If I’m excited about historical fiction, I finally have other readers to chat with.” Edward James, a long-time UK Reviews Editor, also values the bonds he’s made: “HNR has been part of my life for the last 25 years. When the pandemic closed down all my other outside activities, my role as Reviews Editor became my only contact with the world beyond my immediate family. I have only met one of my reviewers in the flesh, but I think they have become my friends.”

Katherine Mezzacappa shares a similar experience, “It’s been a godsend in the dark, isolating days of COVID, as I’ve made so many contacts. One author who is now a dear friend and confidante I met after reviewing her book.” Many authors, Mezzacappa included, talk about the inspiration they’ve found in the Society and its publications: “The Historical Novel Society has transformed my life as an author. The turning point for me was getting into the last fifteen in the Society’s New Novel Award in 2019 with a novel then called Merripen. With renewed confidence I redoubled my efforts to find an agent, the novel was offered to Bonnier Zaffre, and I am now writing my fourth for that publisher. Joining the HNS I would recommend to anyone serious about historical fiction. It’s not just a serious business though – being in the HNS has proved also to be immense fun.”

The Society and its international reach has helped a number of authors realize their aspirations. Tessa Harris shares, “For years I’d sent off manuscripts to agents and never had any luck. Back in 2005 I wrote something that really excited me and that I felt could be ‘the one,’ but UK agents thought otherwise. I must have received about fifty rejections. I’d taken advantage of a free offer – sample copies of a magazine produced by the Historical Novel Society. Leafing through one, I realised that historical fiction was big in America, too. (I’m very often late to the party!) As my protagonist was an 18th century American anatomist, practising in London, it occurred to me that a US agent might be interested in my novel. Moreover, the magazine gave the names of American agents who’d done recent deals. Eagerly, I picked out an agent who, I hoped, might like my work. I hit the bull’s eye! Eighteen months later, I signed a three-book deal with Kensington Publishing for my debut, The Anatomist’s Apprentice. Twelve historical novels later, I’m still going strong, and it’s all down to the Historical Novels Review.”

Members are enthusiastic about the tools the HNS provides to help them hone their writing. Christy Nicholas notes, “I have been a lover of historical fiction for as long as I can remember, but only recently started writing novels. I found the Historical Novel Society, and their articles and support have been incredibly helpful.” Karen Sandrick says, “As a relatively new historical novelist (my debut, The Pear Tree, appeared in 2017), I am constantly on the alert for ways to construct details of time and place so readers feel they have been transported to the past, find facts that fuel a powerful story, and blend actual events within a storyline to add perspective and understanding. And I find many answers to my questions as I read and review new historical novels for the HNS.” Brodie Curtis agrees, “Finding the HNS and the Historical Novels Review has been a much-needed accelerant to my writing as well as a huge boost to my overall appreciation of the genre. Content in the magazines has provided inspiration and given me deep appreciation of the talent of others, and my interactions with our superb HNR editorial team have been more valuable than I can say.” Elaine Stock, with her HF debut, We Shall Not Shatter, offers her appreciation for “all of the invaluable wealth of information for both authors and readers of historical fiction.” Janet Hancock, who

I AM VERY GRATEFUL to the HNS for providing a place for like-minded people to talk about the books they love to read and write.

has been with the HNS since the beginning (she still has Richard Lee’s handwritten letter of welcome), says of reviewing, “As well as the thrill of a brand-new book – and sometimes a new author – it has been an excellent exercise in concise writing, valuable lessons for the published short story writer, novelist and poet I have become.”

The Society has provided many with the opportunity to do what they love with a group of like-minded individuals. “The day I found the Historical Novel Society and the Historical Novels Review,” says Peggy Kurkowski, “I found literary love. I joined as a lover of historical fiction but found my calling as a book reviewer. Two years and 25 books later, I still love the work I do for HNS in reviewing the best new historical fiction titles on the market.” Kristen McDermott shares the excitement she felt interviewing Gregory Maguire for an HNR feature article, “and even more exciting to see the article appear in the November 2020 issue -- but still more exciting to have the publisher, HarperCollins, request permission to reprint the article in their “PS: Insights, Interview and More” section of the book (A Wild Winter Swan)! I’m so grateful to the HNR.”

From old Society hands to greenhorns, members note how impactful gathering together is for them, allowing them to get involved – whether it’s attendance at local chapter meetings or Society conferences. Catherine Kullman remembers her first HNS Irish Chapter meeting: “This was a momentous occasion for me. I came out of my closet and admitted to complete strangers, many of whom were already published writers, that I, too, was writing historical fiction. The members of the group were both welcoming and encouraging. Seven years later, we are still together, after two HNS Conferences, several long Christmas lunches, and two years of COVID-prescribed Zoom meetings. I have lost count of the number of members’ books we have celebrated together. We interact regularly, supporting one another not only in our writing but also in our personal lives.”

Long-time member, reviewer, and former HNR Managing Editor Sally Zigmond shares, “I wasn’t a part of the HNS at its birth, but I offered my services soon after. It may even have been when I attended an early UK get-together at Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire. I well remember the rapidly lengthening queue of Bernard Cornwell fans as I bade farewell to Richard having promised to edit the Historical Novels Review. I have many happy personal memories: an early UK Conference in London where I remember the splendid Carole Blake inspiring her audience to keep writing; a private HNS tour around Denis Severs’ House, Folgate Street, Spitalfields, London, where time stood still, yet it was as if its inhabitants over the centuries had only just left the room.” New member Trish MacEnulty says, “When I discovered the Historical Novel Society, I knew I had found a home. I went to my first conference last summer and was lucky enough to be chosen to lead a session. My most exciting discovery through the Society has been the incredibly helpful books for writers by Libbie Hawker (AKA Libbie Grant). I learned about those books through her session on outlining at the conference. I also got two full manuscript requests at the conference and as a result received useful feedback on my book.”

“It’s hard to express how much the Historical Novel Society means to me,” says Clarissa Harwood, “but I will say that my first HNS conference in 2013 (St. Petersburg) changed my life. I found a group of warm, friendly history nerds very much like me! I was on such a high that weekend. There were so many interesting things going on and so many interesting people to talk to. Over the years I have learned so much from my fellow HNS members. I am very grateful to the HNS for providing a place for like-minded people to talk about the books they love to read and write.” Linda Sittig’s first conference was in 2019 (Washington, D.C.): “I signed up to attend, going alone and knowing no one. My most vivid memory was the opening night Meet and Greet Wine and Cheese hour. I walked into the room and saw people dressed in costumes from various periods in history. There was a Viking, a WWI soldier, a Roman gladiator, an Egyptian princess. And I thought, oh my goodness, I have found my tribe!”

The sense of community also resonates with Tracey Warr. “Up until the opening cocktails of the 2014 conference (London), writing, for me, had been a solitary experience. From start to finish, that conference was galvanising — from Bernard Cornwell’s after-dinner speech to presentations by Philippa Gregory and Diana Gabaldon. I was delighted to talk with many new and aspiring historical novelists like myself. Belonging to the HNS provides me with a framework, makes me feel validated and motivated as a writer in this genre. I think the open structure of the HNS, with volunteers and many ways to contribute and participate, is very enabling.”

Alana White, who would go on to serve on the HNS’s Conference Board, remembers her first conference in 2005 (Salt Lake City). “Jitters. A fluttering in my heart. This was my first writing conference, my statement to the world: I want to write historical fiction. That evening, I made friends with people who would become mainstays in my writing life. Since that gathering, I’ve attended every North American Conference and watched proudly as that bi-annual event blossomed into the amazing conference of 2021 — going virtual, going big and, with the blazing talents of the conference committee and a host of volunteers, providing attendees with an uplifting experience at a time when we all needed sunshine in our lives. The inclusivity of this group makes me especially proud. When one succeeds, we all succeed; when one stumbles, we gather around with encouragement, whether at the conference, within one of our regional chapters, or through our HNS Facebook Group. So, yes, this is a love note to HNS and all those — beginning with our founder, Richard Lee — who are committed to our future growth.”

Those of us fortunate enough to have found this community, which has grown exponentially over the last quarter century, are bound together by a love of the genre and excitement to see what’s next for historical fiction. Thanks to all the members who took the time to share their thoughts and help us mark this important anniversary.

WRITTEN BY BETHANY LATHAM

Bethany Latham is a professor, librarian, and HNR's Managing Editor. She is a regular contributor to NoveList and a regular reviewer for Booklist.