WELCOME TO
THE HISTORY QUILL
WELCOME TO THE HISTORY QUILL
If you’re a historical fiction writer, you’ve come to the right place. Our mission is to provide everything you need to make your writing a success. Read on to learn how we can help you on your journey.
Get started with one of our top resources…
A guide to accuracy and authenticity in historical fiction
50+ top online research resources
Novel outline template for historical fiction writers
About The History Quill
Andrew Noakes
Founder
Historical fiction is a genre like no other, full of its own particular idiosyncrasies, challenges, and opportunities. Delving into the past can sometimes feel a little daunting, and that’s why historical fiction writers deserve specialist support from editors who know their genre inside out.
Our team combines a commitment to excellence in story craft with a deep-rooted passion for history and historical fiction. Our mission is to provide you with expert support at every stage of your writing journey, including blogs and resources to help you get your novel started, a dedicated membership for historical fiction writers, specialist editing services, group coaching, and beta reader and ARC services. Whether you’re an experienced historical fiction writer or just getting started, welcome!
Join as a member
Our membership is designed to help you succeed in your historical fiction writing journey. Alongside monthly masterclasses and our online community, you’ll benefit from access to historians via our historian Q&As, feedback on your writing during our live critiques, and pitch parties to help you connect with literary agents. Plus, enjoy special member-only discounts. Whether you’re just starting on your journey, already published, or somewhere in between, The History Quill membership is here to serve as your essential guide and companion in all things historical fiction.
Specialist historical fiction editing
If you’re searching for a historical fiction editor, look no further. Our editing services are designed exclusively for historical fiction writers. We combine in-depth knowledge of story craft and language with specialist knowledge of history and the historical fiction genre. Whether you’re after content editing or copy-editing and proofreading, we’re here to help.
CONTENT EDITING
Content editing – also known as developmental editing – focuses on the big-picture issues in a manuscript, including plot, structure, setting, characterisation, historical authenticity, and overall writing quality. It should be your first step in the editing process, showing you what’s working in your story and what isn’t. As well as identifying any problems in your manuscript, we offer detailed recommendations on how to fix them.
COPY-EDITING & PROOFREADING
Copy-editing and proofreading are vital for refining your manuscript once all the big-picture issues are settled. They focus on the micro-level elements of your writing, such as grammar, punctuation, syntax, formatting, and catching typos. Copy-editing also involves checking your story for consistency and logic. Together, they’re vital for ensuring your story is as professional and polished as it can possibly be.
Beta reader service
Looking for detailed, honest feedback on your manuscript from your target audience? Our beta reader service, which pairs you with a team of real historical fiction readers, could be just what you need.
BETA READER SERVICE
Our beta reader service gives you the opportunity to share your manuscript with a team of hand-picked beta readers, who will then provide detailed feedback that will help make your story as strong as it can possibly be. Our beta readers fill an important gap in the writing and editing process, providing the kind of feedback that only true fans of the historical fiction genre could give.
Coaching
Join our group coaching programme for historical fiction writers, where expert critiques and peer support come together to guide you as you write your novel.
WORK-IN-PROGRESS GROUP COACHING
Work-in-progress group coaching for historical fiction writers is a six month online group coaching programme combining expert tutor critiques and guidance with feedback and support from a small group of fellow historical fiction writers. The programme accommodates a range of experience, from writers who are just starting on their first novel to those who have already been published.
Book promotion
We can help to promote your book via our ARC service, which is designed to help you get Amazon and Goodreads reviews to boost your social proof, credibility, and sales.
ARC SERVICE
Our ARC service helps you to get Amazon and Goodreads reviews for your book, thereby boosting your social proof, credibility, and sales. We’ll match your book to ARC readers whose preferences are aligned with the historical fiction genre and also with the subgenres specific to your book, ensuring they are in your ideal target audience.
Author showcase
Here is a small selection of authors we’ve worked with and what they have to say about our services. You can read more testimonials on the respective service pages.
Johanna Wittenberg
Author of The Queen in the Mound
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with The History Quill on several books in my Norsewomen series, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. Their passion for history and knowledge of the genre shine through in every content edit they provide. They have a fantastic ability to pinpoint both the strengths and opportunities in my manuscripts, always offering insightful feedback and suggestions that boost my confidence in delivering a polished, captivating story. If you’re looking for editors who understand historical fiction inside and out, this is the team to trust.”
Penny Hampson
Author of A Gentleman’s Promise
“I was thrilled with the service I received from The History Quill for my Gentlemen series. The copy-edits and proofreads they provided were thorough, punctual, and vital for giving my manuscript the professional polish I was aiming for. The team combined invaluable historical expertise with a forensic approach to grammar, punctuation, and consistency. When they spotted errors, they did an excellent job of explaining them in the accompanying style guide, and they answered my queries at the end thoughtfully and comprehensively.”
Alistair Tosh
Author of Siege
“The History Quill’s beta reader service was exactly what I needed to fine-tune Siege, the debut novel in my Edge of Empire series. The readers’ passion for historical fiction came through in their thorough and thoughtful feedback, and their suggestions helped me pinpoint the areas I needed to work on to make the story as compelling as possible, while also offering encouragement by pointing out what was working well. The process was quick, easy, and effective. I’m glad I chose this service and would recommend it to other authors.”
Rebecca Rosenberg
Author of Champagne Widows
“I highly recommend The History Quill’s ARC service. I’ve used it multiple times, and the process is always seamless from start to finish. Not only are the team professional and communicative, but they also take great care in matching books with readers who are genuinely interested in the genre. Thanks to The History Quill’s organized approach, I’ve received valuable reviews that have really helped my books gain traction.”
Get in touch
If you would like to get in touch, email us at enquiries@thehistoryquill.com. Tell us a little about yourself and your story, as well as what kind of help you’re looking for.