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, mentoring, and group coaching. 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.

Course

Ready to embark on your historical fiction journey? Our self-paced online course gives you the guidance, tools, and confidence to turn your ideas into a story you can be proud of.

GET STARTED IN HISTORICAL FICTION

Get started in historical fiction is a self-paced, step-by-step online course for beginners and aspiring writers. Guided by acclaimed novelist Katherine Clements, you’ll explore idea generation, research, storytelling, worldbuilding, and all the essentials you need to take your historical fiction from spark to finished draft.

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.

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.”

Featured content

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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.

Content originally published at https://thehistoryquill.com

DO YOU WRITE HISTORICAL FICTION?

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Accuracy and authenticity guide

Enter your details below to receive your free guide to accuracy and authenticity by email. If you want to develop your skills as a historical fiction writer, you can also join our email list for more free resources, regular writing tips, and promotions.

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What stage are you at in your writing journey?

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50+ top online resources

Enter your details below to receive your 50+ top online research resources by email. If you want to develop your skills as a historical fiction writer, you can also join our email list for more resources, regular writing tips, and promotions.

Would you like to join our email list? *
What stage are you at in your writing journey?

By submitting your details, you agree to the processing and storage of your data in accordance with our privacy policy.

Novel outline template

Enter your details below to receive your free novel outline template by email. If you want to develop your skills as a historical fiction writer, you can also join our email list for more free resources, regular writing tips, and promotions.

Would you like to join our email list? *
What stage are you at in your writing journey?

By submitting your details, you agree to the processing and storage of your data in accordance with our privacy policy.

DO YOU WRITE HISTORICAL FICTION?

Join our email list for regular writing tips, resources, and promotions.