Historical Novel Society Australasia
Where history meets imagination
2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize
Thanks to our Foundation Partner, the ARA Group, the prize awards $100,000 to the Adult category winner, with an additional $5,000 awarded to each of the remaining two shortlisted authors. In the CYA category, the winner receives $30,000, while the two short listers receive $5,000 each.
Submissions have now closed.
Longlist announced: 3 September 2025
Shortlists announced: 24 September 2025
Winners announced: 16 October 2025
Quick links
2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize
Submissions have now closed for the 2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize. With prize monies worth $150,000, the award is the richest individual literary prize in Australia and New Zealand, thanks to our Foundation Partner, the ARA Group. Stay tuned for our longlists on 3 September, followed by the shortlists on 24 September. The winners will be announced on 16 October 2025.
Tickets now on sale for the the History Unbound Festival
Loosen the bindings of history! To mark our 10th anniversary, HNSA is introducing the History Unbound Historical Novel Festival to be held at Parramatta Town Hall on 1-2 November. Early bird tickets are now on sale.
About the HNSA
The Historical Novel Society Australasia is recognised as the home of the historical fiction genre in Australasia as the third arm of the international Historical Novel Society.
Festivals + Events
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 the conference as the History Unbound Festival with a new name and new look. The two day hybrid program will be held at Parramatta Town Hall, Sydney. The program will be livestreamed to a virtual audience and recorded. Both weekend and day online and in-person tickets include on-demand access to recordings for three months post the event.
News + Updates
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At the Historical Novel Society Australasia, we celebrate and promote historical fiction, bringing stories of the past to life for today's readers. Your support enables us to host events, provide resources for writers, and engage the community in appreciating this rich literary genre.
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Another amazing giveaway is here!
All the Bees in the Hollows is an atmospheric debut novel set in a remote Lithuanian beekeeping community in the 16th century — perfect for fans of Hannah Kent’s Burial Rights and Kate Forsyth’s Bitter Greens. Set against the stunning scenery of Baltic forests, Lauren Keegan has expertly weaved Lithuanian folklore with contemporary issues to create an immersive historical mystery.