Julie Janson will perform a Welcome to Country to open HNSA 2021. HNSA Chair, Elisabeth Storrs, and HNSA Patron, Kate Forsyth, kick off proceedings to address our conference theme and introduce what’s on offer over an inspirational weekend of interview, panels, chat conversations and workshops. Julie Janson Julie Janson is a Burruberongal woman of Darug ... Read more
Julie Janson, author of Benevolence, addresses our conference theme by examining the role and responsibility of historical novelists in recovering lost, overlooked or deliberately erased histories, and whether the genre can play a part in achieving truth in reconciliation. Julie Janson Julie Janson is a Burruberongal woman of Darug nation. She is a novelist, playwright, ... Read more
Geraldine Brooks’ first historical novel, Year of Wonders, has proved to be a portent of a world in lockdown. Her subsequent novels have restored or reimagined many lost histories. Elisabeth Storrs, HNSA Chair, explores the conference theme with Geraldine by discussing these award-winning books. Geraldine Brooks Australian-born Geraldine Brooks grew up in Sydney. She worked ... Read more
Many ANZ authors have attracted a readership in their own territories but an overseas audience remains elusive. Led in discussion by Lisa Chaplin, Kevan Lyon, owner of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, provides insights into what an American agent is looking for in a manuscript, and what it takes to get the ‘big break’. Christine Wells ... Read more
The horror of the Holocaust continues to shock generations who question how such unfathomable evil could have existed, and hope the call for ‘never again’ is heeded. When is the ‘right’ time to expose a young reader to the Shoah? And how does a writer tread the tightrope between triggering nightmares or awareness? Susanne Gervay ... Read more
A meticulous researcher and admirer of the Tudors, Wendy J Dunn has written novels about Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon. Join Wendy to chat about your own favourites in the Tudor court. This chat salon will not be recorded. Wendy J. Dunn Wendy J. Dunn is an award-winning Australian author, playwright and poet. Her ... Read more
Peter Watt’s epic adventure novels chronicle military conflicts from mid C19th to WW2. Come and meet Peter to hear his insights into researching military history and writing action packed stories. You’ll be able to share your own knowledge about this topic. This chat salon will not be recorded. Peter Watt Peter Watt's life experiences have ... Read more
With a Masters in Gastronomy, Jacqui Newling knows a recipe or two. She also has expertise in cooking and food throughout history. Bring along your lunch as well as your questions about period food and using the senses in your novels. You’ll enjoy a feast of ideas. This chat salon will not be recorded. Jacqui ... Read more
Biographies are full of facts as well as fictionalised versions of the truth. Which of these take precedence when telling the story of someone else's life? Kelly Gardiner chats with Sienna Brown, Kelly Rimmer and Sue Williams about how they navigated between the two, and what choices they made to write compelling biographical fiction. The ... Read more
Current historical novelists stand on the shoulders of the talented past story-tellers. Thuy On asks Anna Ciddor, Paula Morris, and Suzanne Leal which authors have inspired them, why the writing is exceptional, what they’d like to emulate, and how the books informed their own novels. The Panellists Thuy On (Chair) Thuy On is Reviews Editor ... Read more
Colin Falconer is the author of over two dozen novels of historical fiction. Two of his epic novels have been set in the ancient world including Cleopatra: When We Were Gods and his alternate history, Colossus. Come and meet Colin and discuss your own favourite piece of ancient world history with him, and the challenges ... Read more
Novelists have long drawn inspiration from the history of the western Allied forces in WW2. In recent times, more authors are featuring stories written from the German perspective. Linda Funnell discusses with Steven Conte, Tania Blanchard and Catherine Chidgey the challenges they faced in overcoming the taboos of centering their novels around German or Nazi ... Read more
Debate continues as to whether an author should only write from the confines of their own experience, gender, sexual orientation, or cultural background. What impact does this have on historical novelists who must also avoid imposing modern biases on characters from different historical periods? Renee Otmar discusses with Rachel Bin Saleh, Tim Darcy Ellis and ... Read more
The Middle Ages extended from the collapse of the Roman Empire through to the dawn of the Renaissance. Expert researchers and talented authors, Isolde Martyn and Felicity Pulman, are happy to field your questions or hear about your own Medieval research gems. This chat salon will not be recorded. Isolde Martyn Historian and former editor ... Read more
When LGBTIQ characters are represented in historical fiction, the men are often a little light on their feet, the women a little man-ish, or are either a stylish couturier or a muscle bound mechanic. Why are such characters often sidelined into sub-plots or endure tragic fates? Greg Johnston will talk with Nigel Featherstone, Kelly Gardiner ... Read more
Enjoy our signature TWC First Pages pitch contest with $200 prize money on offer. ‘First pages’ from aspiring authors are read by a narrator to industry experts who will provide a critique of chosen submissions. The session will provide other attendees with a chance to learn what attracts the attention of agents and publishers when ... Read more
The Early C20th was a period of rapid change extending from the Suffragette Movement, WW1, Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. Kim Kelly has written novels traversing all these periods. Christine Bell has focused on the Great War. Join them to share your favourite pocket of history or ask questions about writing across this period. ... Read more
Female hysteria, aristocratic waxen heads, and a secret cadre of Australian codebreakers. Kirsty Murray explores these intriguing lost female histories with the authors who reveal them - Josephine Taylor, Belinda Lyons-Lee and Alli Sinclair. How did they discover them? What was needed to bring the stories to life? The Panellists Kirsty Murray (Chair) Kirsty Murray ... Read more
Leaving one’s country of birth is a momentous and life changing decision. These challenging odysseys and new beginnings are of great interest to writers and readers. Join Roanna Gonsalves as she chats with Andrew Pippos, Mirandi Riwoe and Suzanne McCourt about their inspiration and reasons for writing novels examining the clash of cultures in an ... Read more
The C18th was a time of political upheaval and new political ideas of the Enlightenment which led to the French and American Revolutions. Join Stephanie Parkyn, author of Into the World and Josephine’s Garden, to chat about this tumultuous era. This chat salon will not be recorded. Stephanie Parkyn Stephanie Parkyn is the author of ... Read more
Jewish history is one of pogroms, dispossession and diaspora. Over the centuries, the process of dehumanisation lay the groundwork that underpinned the Holocaust. Medieval historian, Gillian Polack, talks to Tim Darcy Ellis, Richard Zimler and Bram Presser about hidden stories of Jewish faith, endurance and survival from the Middle Ages to present times. The Panellists ... Read more
Richard Lee, founder of the Historical Novel Society, joins international bestselling authors, Ben Kane and Colin Falconer to discuss how these authors approach writing epic novels, and the challenges encountered in finding new angles to depict stories within well traversed eras of history. Richard Lee Richard Lee founded the Historical Novel Society in 1997 after ... Read more
Are you interested in discussing history beyond the prism of the Western world? Meet with other writers and readers to share your love of fiction and history centred around the other half of the globe with Roanna Gonsalves, author of The Permanent Resident. It’s time for more diverse voices and history to be heard. Roanna ... Read more
Sophie Masson’s publishing house translated Jules Verne’s historical novel, Mikhail Strogoff, into English. Ely Finch translated Wong Shee Ping’s, The Poison of Polygamy, the first Chinese-language novel to be published in Australia at the turn of the C20th. Agent, Laurie Blum Guest, specialises in negotiating foreign and translation rights. Join Elaine Lewis, translator and holder ... Read more
Elizabeth Chadwick’s much awarded novels chronicle the power and glory of England’s Medieval kings, queens and nobles such as William Marshal, Henry I and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Robyn Cadwallader focuses on the quiet inner lives of women in the Middle Ages. Gillian Polack asks why Elizabeth and Robyn are drawn to this era, and whether ... Read more
Fancy some time to socialise at the end of the first day of our virtual conference? Then come to the Sex, Suspense & Sly Grog Chat Salon—hosted by Lindy Cameron. Due to the lack of submissions, this Chat Salon will no longer include open readings. Instead, share your recommendations for favourite historical mystery and romance novels with ... Read more
