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.
“The structural report I received from The History Quill was constructive, illuminating, insightful, and thought-provoking on the areas that needed development. The analysis of individual chapters was particularly useful, raising important issues, from minor to major, that needed attention. Overall, the report’s conclusions and recommendations were instrumental in producing a much-improved final draft.”
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.
“It was refreshing to get critical feedback from readers who didn’t already know me and had no desire to flatter. The feedback I received was detailed, honest, and very insightful. I appreciate that The History Quill carefully vets the beta readers and ensures they are a good fit for your story, which meant the feedback was good quality and I could trust that my book was in safe hands.”
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.
“Whether you are an experienced writer or, like me, a novice aspiring to write their first work of historical fiction, The History Quill’s group coaching programme is an ideal and stimulating partner on your journey. The masterclasses provide additional inspiration when you need it most, and the camaraderie and input of the critique group, along with the insightful professional tutor reviews, have been instrumental in my development as a writer.”
Susan Stockton
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.
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.