‘We each read for our own recipe of delight, and I think an outstanding novel is when we find ourselves delighted in a new, original way.’ Award-winning author and New York Times best-selling fantasy novelist, Alison Goodman, is perhaps more likely to be found promenading in the Bath Guildhall ballroom, or promoting her novels in France
‘… historical novelists can step into the shadows where there are no torches.’ What a wonderful image this quote conjures of historical novelists! In this HNSA interview, Isolde Martyn, chair of the Plantagenet Society of Australia and award-winning author of eight historical novels, reveals her views on historical fiction and what it means to win
‘Historical fiction must always be shaped to some degree by the time in which it is written … I’m intrigued by the conversation between present and past that results; we learn about ourselves by thinking about the past.’ I love this quote which gives writers of historical fiction a real insight into how our contemporary
The moment I opened the HNSA newsletter with news of the inaugural HNSA Colleen McCullough Writing Residency, I felt such a yen and connection, it was almost as if it had my name on it. I don’t have a psychic bone in my body, so perhaps it was really only because I’d always, always wanted
‘Kids should read and learn more about history. Our past informs our present, and today’s young people are tomorrow’s adults. It will be very useful if they are able to build on the past’s victories rather than repeat its failures.’ Deborah Challinor. Without a doubt we are living through historic and troubling times. Many parallels
There’s only a few more weeks until entries open for the 2020 ARA Historical Novel Prize on 1 May. HNSA is delighted to announce the judges for this $30,000 literary award. Our panel consists of our Chair, Linda Funnell, co-editor of the Newtown Review of Books, freelance editor and publishing consultant; Paula Morris historical novelist,
A new $30,000 literary prize celebrating historical fiction Historical Novel Society Australasia is delighted to announce the inauguration of the ARA Historical Novel Prize which will celebrate the historical fiction genre with prize money of $30,000. Major sponsor, ARA Group, is joining with HNSA, in association with the New England Writers Centre, to reward and
Attendees of HNSA Sydney 2019 had the opportunity to enter three competitions. The ARA Short Story Contest TCW First Pages Pitch Contest The inaugural Colleen McCullough Residency Prize ARA Short Story Prize ARA’s generous sponsorship enabled us to establish the First Nations Participation Fund to cover the travel and accommodation expenses of our Indigenous speakers.
It’s just over month since HNSA Sydney 2019 and the committee are starting to emerge from their fog of post conference fatigue. We will meet on Monday evening to de-brief and then <insert deep fortifying breath> set the train in motion for 2021. Before we start chugging forward however, I’ve been asked to give you
The HNSA 2019 conference is nearly here. Workshops in the Craft & Publishing Program kick off tomorrow (Friday 25 October) and there are a few tickets still available for some workshops. See the workshop options here. The main conference program begins on Saturday morning at 9am. See the conference program here. Last minute bookings You can
