HISTORICAL FICTION CONFERENCES
We love to organise historical fiction events, including conferences. Many of our members travel thousands of miles to attend.
There are writing conferences. There are history conferences. We combine the two in our Historical Novel Society Conferences, open to historical fiction readers, writers, publishers, and other industry professionals.
These unique events are held biennially and take place in the United Kingdom/Ireland, North America (usually the United States), and Australia. The UK and North American conferences happen on alternate years.
These conferences are friendly get-togethers, with programming designed to appeal no matter what your favorite historical period, subgenre, or specialty. Many of our delegates have noted making life-long connections at the HNS Conferences. Packed programmes can include seminars on various aspects of the writing process and publishing, different eras, research, targeted masterclasses, best-selling author keynote speakers, one-to-ones with agents, publishers, and editors, and much more. There are also a variety of fun social events, from field trips to local museums and sites of historical interest to pub crawls and trivia nights.
Past speakers include: Diana Gabaldon, Ian Mortimer, Tracy Chevalier, Ben Kane, Kate Quinn, Margaret George, Bernard Cornwell, and so many more.
Non-members can attend. However, members receive registration and other discounts, as well as early bird notification and access. We invite you to check out our information on all the other benefits of Society membership, and join us today.
HNSUK Conference 2026
Print the Legend
Join us in the vibrant university town of Maynooth, Ireland to explore fact and fiction in the historical novel, focusing a modern eye on a fading world through historical research and creative storytelling. Be a part of the HNS community as you engage with historical novelists. Book a one-on-one session with an agent or a publisher. Enjoy excursions to historic sites, a welcome reception in Pugin Hall, and a gala dinner where we will celebrate the winners of our writing competitions.
Dates: 20 - 23 August 2026
Location: Campus of Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
Website: https://hns2026.com
HNSNA Conference 2027
Celebrating HF in Its Many Forms
HNSNA2027 will celebrate the many subgenres of historical fiction. Each distinct form views history through its own lens with unique literary conventions to amplify stories, themes, and emotions. Join us as we explore the ways authors, agents, and editors craft, publish, and market these various subgenres, and let’s revel in the wide array of historical novels we all love to read!
Dates: 17 - 19 June 2027
Location: Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Website: https://hns-conference.com/
HNSA Conference 2025
Celebrating 10 Years
The HNSA promotes the writing, reading and publication of historical fiction, especially in Australia and New Zealand, through its biennial conferences held since 2015. Our events showcase the best literary talent and enable readers, writers, and publishing professionals to celebrate the genre. To mark our 10th anniversary, HNSA is rebranding our biennial conference as a festival with a new name and new look. The program includes three fabulous guests of honour: Anita Heiss, Natasha Lester, and Fiona McIntosh.
Dates: 1 - 2 November 2025
Location: Parramatta Town Hall, Sydney, Australia
Website: https://hnsa.org.au/festivals-and-events
LOCAL CHAPTERS OF THE SOCIETY
See what's on with a Chapter near you ...
Curious about historical fiction events near you? There may be an HNS Chapter meeting close by. These groups have been set up by enthusiastic Society members. They are locally initiated and organized, led, and run by the members in that area, who schedule meet-ups, programming, and more. We have many chapters across the world. From round table discussions to presentations, readings, and feedback sessions, they're a wonderful way to meet other authors and readers.
Chapter Guide
Interested in how Local Chapters are formed, who leads them and, if there isn't already one existing for your area, how you can start a Local Chapter yourself?
Local Chapter Meetings
View more information about existing Local Chapters, their social media, Chapter Leads, and how to get in touch for meet-ups and events.
Subgenre Chapters
The Society also has Subgenre Chapters. These Chapters are formed around a specific subgenre of historical fiction (e.g., Romance, Medieval Fiction, etc.).
