Announcing the Winners of the 2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize
The Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA), in conjunction with its generous sponsor ARA Group, is delighted to announce the winners of the richest individual literary prize in Australasia with prize monies of $155,000 across the Adult, Readers’ Choice, and the Children & Young Adult categories.
Giveaway - The German Ward by Pip Williams
We're thrilled to be giving away 5 copies of The German Ward by Pip Williams.
The German Ward is the love story of the year: a breathtaking new novel from the author of global bestsellers The Dictionary of Lost Words and The Bookbinder of Jericho. A tale of love between enemies behind the lines of WW1 and the Australian artist who captures their secret.
2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize - shortlists announced
Historical Novel Society Australasia, in partnership with the generous ARA Group, are proud to announce the shortlists across two major categories for the 2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize – the richest individual literary prize in Australasia.
Giveaway - The Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks
We're thrilled to be giving away 5 copies of The Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks!
From a bestselling, award-winning author, Karen Brooks, comes a compellingly realised story of an enigmatic figure, the beautiful 19th century muse and brilliant social powerhouse, Florence Stoker, whose life, in spite of her many gifts, was overshadowed by one of the most abiding and terrifying of contemporary culture's monsters, the vampire Dracula - her own husband's creation.
2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize - Longlists announced
The longlists for the 2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize – the richest individual literary prize in Australasia – have been announced today. The chosen books span millennia, from Ancient Egypt through to the 1975 Dismissal, with captivating yarns of jewel heists, bushrangers and gold fever, powerful stories that shine a light on overlooked LGBTQI history, and bewitching tales of sea myths and folklore that centre strong female perspectives.
Giveaway - Harry the Fifth by David Greagg
We're thrilled to be giving away 5 copies of Harry the Fifth by David Greagg!
A joyous romp through C15th England and France, in which a young King Henry V prepares for war. Again. Battle plans are made, as ordinary people on both sides – either reluctantly or in a quest for glory – are drawn into the fray.
Giveaway - Bandoola by Beverley McWilliams
We're thrilled to be giving away 5 copies of Bandoola by Beverley McWilliams!
Inspired by true events, Bandoola is a powerful story of courage, friendship, adventure, and the extraordinary bond between people and animals.
We’re hiring a Casual Social Media Manager!
✨ Are you a digital storyteller with a passion for historical fiction? ✨
The Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA) is looking for a Casual Social Media Manager to be our new digital voice! If you love historical novels and know exactly what makes the #Bookstagram and #BookTok communities tick, we want you on our team.
Giveaway - A Short History of Longans
Intriguing and beautifully written, this dazzling novel spanning centuries and generations unravels the secrets and memories of one Irish-Chinese family to explore what it means to belong – to place, to ancestors, to ourselves.
Giveaway - The Italian Correspondent by Belinda Alexandra
Rome. Glamour. Secrets. Murder.
Rome, 1951. Vogue correspondent Veronica Gold arrives chasing la dolce vita—and hoping to leave the war behind. Once a hardened reporter embedded with the Eighth Army, she is war‑weary, sad, divorced… and dangerously close to reckless.
Giveaway - Castaway by Francesca de Tores
From prize-winning author Francesca de Tores comes a sweeping tale of isolation and tenacity, asking a timeless question:
who are we - and who do we become - when everything is stripped away?
Giveaway - Sound Mind Dead Body by Dave Warner
Murder most foul in a manor most fine.
Devon, 1929.
Family members gather to hear deeply unpopular matriarch, Aunt Julia, read from her late husband’s will but when she dies without warning, everybody is a possible suspect. It is up to Inspector Fred Willets, also a beneficiary, to crack the whodunnit.
Introducing our 2026 AHN Prize Judging Panels!
Announcing the judges for the 2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize.
Giveaway - The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry
Another exciting giveaway!
17th-century Cornwall is a place of peril for a neurodiverse healer. In 1628, a young girl guards a dangerous secret. Steeped in herbal lore and forbidden spells, she grows to womanhood in a world that fears what it cannot understand.
Using her healing talents to help local villagers, her reputation catches the attention of witchfinder Matthew Hopkins, a chance encounter that will change the course of history.
ARA HISTORICAL NOVEL PRIZE SUBMISSIONS OPEN
Submissions have opened for the 2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize with prize monies of $155,000 on offer across three categories. Learn more at the HNSA website.
Giveaway - Time Kneels Between Mountains by Amra Pajalic
Don’t miss this giveaway!
Forged on the war-torn streets of Srebrenica, Seka Torlak fights for justice, retribution and truth. A Story of war, survival and the unbreakable spirit of women.
Giveaway - Shrewd Little Sleuth by Scott Leckie
Our first giveaway of the year!
If they killed Marilyn, they killed him too...
He was Hoover’s golden boy… until he wasn’t. A.B. Leckie slipped from Bureau legend to shadowy ghost, tangled in Monroe’s final days, Cold War paranoia, and secrets buried deep. This is the story of my grandfather, Arthur Bernard Leckie, a shrewd little sleuth who might have known just enough to get him killed.
History Unbound Festival Wrap Up - a feast of historical fiction
On 1st to 2nd November 2025 at the historic Parramatta Town Hall, the Historical Novel Society Australasia welcomed the historical fiction community to enjoy our newly rebranded History Unbound Festival. There we unloosened the bindings, blew away the cobwebs, and unlocked the secrets of bygone eras with a dynamic program celebrating historical fiction and storytelling in all its forms. Read our wrap-up of the festival here.
Imagining The Past: Cecilia Rice in conversation with Leah Kaminsky, Sue Williams, and Alison Booth
Writer and critic Stephen Romei is in conversation with Jock Serong and Fiona McFarlane. Jock discusses part three of his Furneaux trilogy and Fiona discusses her second novel, The Sun Walks Down.
Giveaway - The Story Thief by Kyra Geddes
Another giveaway not to be missed!
Her family’s story made Henry Lawson famous. But was it his to tell?
Inspired by Lawson’s classic Australian story, ’The Drover’s Wife’, Kyra Geddes melds fact and fiction in The Story Thief - a stirring family saga set against shifting landscapes and pivotal moments in Australian history.