Saturday 24 October
The History Quill will host a one-day virtual convention for historical fiction writers on Saturday 24 October, 2026. It will be dedicated entirely to the craft of writing historical characters.
The convention will be exclusive to History Quill members. There is no additional charge to attend – the convention is free for members. If you're not currently a member, you can join as part of the registration process. You can learn more about our membership here.
The day will consist of six sessions led by accomplished historical fiction authors and experts, alongside an informal chat session where you can get to know your fellow writers. After the convention, there will be four weeks of special programming in our membership designed to help you apply what you've learned to your characters.
As this is a virtual convention, participation will be exclusively online via Zoom and our convention platform. The entire convention will be recorded and available for you to view for as long as your membership remains active.
For the full details of the convention, continue reading below. To register for the convention, use any of the 'register now' buttons on this page. The registration deadline is Thursday 22 October, 7pm BST / 2pm ET.
Convention programme
Finding your characters in the historical record
11:00 – 12:00 BST / 06:00 – 07:00 ET
The people of the past are there to be found in the records, writings and traces they left behind. But how do you uncover not just what they did, but how they thought, felt, and saw the world, and turn what you discover into characters who feel truly alive? In this session, Melissa Addey will explore how to approach historical sources with character in mind, using what people left behind to uncover their personalities, perspectives, and experiences, while navigating the gaps and limitations of the historical record.
Melissa Addey
Melissa Addey writes historical fiction set in Ancient Rome, medieval Morocco, 18th century China, and Regency England. She is a fulltime self-published author and runs workshops for authors wanting to take an entrepreneurial approach to their writing careers. Her books have been selected for Editor’s Choice by the Historical Novel Society and won the inaugural Novel London award. She has been the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library and has a PhD in Creative Writing.
Creating characters with depth and complexity
13:00 – 14:00 BST / 08:00 – 09:00 ET
Memorable characters are more than a collection of traits or a function of the plot. They have contradictions and vulnerabilities, desires and fears, histories that shape them, and inner lives that extend beyond what appears on the page. In this session, Deborah Swift will explore what makes a character truly unforgettable and show you how to create characters with depth, authenticity, and a life of their own. You’ll also learn how characters are shaped by their time, their relationships, and the experiences that transform them.
Deborah Swift
Deborah Swift is the author of over twenty historical novels, including Millennium Award winner Past Encounters and The Lady’s Slipper. Recent books include the Renaissance series based around the life of the poisoner Giulia Tofana, and The Poison Keeper and its sequels. For HarperCollins her latest books are a series of six set in WW2, starting with The Silk Code. She likes to write about extraordinary characters set against the background of real historical events.
Sustaining your protagonist across multiple books
15:00 – 16:00 BST / 10:00 – 11:00 ET
A great series protagonist needs to be familiar enough for readers to want to return to them, but complex enough to keep surprising them. Over multiple books, they must grow and change without losing the qualities that made readers invest in them in the first place. In this session, Vaseem Khan will explore how to create protagonists with the depth and longevity to sustain an entire series, balancing character development with continuity and finding fresh challenges that keep both character and reader engaged from book to book.
Vaseem Khan
Vaseem Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India, and the Q Mysteries, beginning with Quantum of Menace, the first in a murder mystery series featuring Q from the James Bond franchise. His debut, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020. In 2021, Midnight at Malabar House, the first in the Malabar House novels set in 1950s Bombay, won the CWA Historical Dagger.
Convention chat
17:00 – 18:30 BST / 12:00 – 13:30 ET
Take a break from the talks and join your fellow writers for an informal text chat. We’ll kick things off with a series of prompts inspired by the day’s sessions, giving you the chance to share ideas, talk about the characters you’re working on, and get to know other historical fiction writers. After the structured discussion, the chat will stay open until 18:30 BST / 13:30 ET for anyone who wants to stick around and continue the conversation.
Making character the engine of story
19:30 – 20:30 BST / 14:30 – 15:30 ET
The most compelling plots don’t simply happen to their characters – they happen because of them. A character’s desires, fears, flaws, and choices can provide the forces that propel a story forward, creating conflict and shaping what happens next. In this session, D. V. Bishop will explore how to put character at the heart of your storytelling, building plots that grow naturally from motivation and agency and creating a powerful connection between character and narrative.
D. V. Bishop
David (D. V.) Bishop writes the award-winning Cesare Aldo historical thrillers set in Renaissance Italy, published by Pan Macmillan. His novels have won the CWA Historical Dagger, the NZ Booklovers Award, and the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel. He is an Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, where he leads the creative writing postgraduate programmes.
Villains and antiheroes: making bad characters compelling
21:30 – 22:30 BST / 16:30 – 17:30 ET
Some of fiction’s most compelling characters are also the least virtuous. Villains and antiheroes can fascinate, disturb, and even earn our sympathy while doing things we could never condone. In this session, Allison Epstein will explore how to create morally complicated characters who feel convincingly human, from understanding the motivations and internal logic behind their actions to what happens when the villain takes centre stage. You’ll discover how to move beyond one-dimensional villainy and create darker characters your readers won’t forget.
Allison Epstein
Allison Epstein holds an MFA in fiction from Northwestern University and is the author of three historical novels. Her most recent novel, Fagin the Thief, received the 2026 National Jewish Book Award for Fiction and the American Library Association’s Sophy Brody medal, and was a finalist for the 2026 Edgar Award for Best Novel.
Bringing real historical figures to life
23:30 – 00:30 BST / 18:30 – 19:30 ET
Real historical figures come with something fictional characters don’t: a life that has already been lived. But bringing them into a novel raises questions about the role they should play, how closely fiction should follow the historical record, and what writers can reasonably imagine when the evidence runs out. In this session, Denny S. Bryce will explore different approaches to incorporating real people into historical fiction, and the opportunities and challenges each presents. You’ll discover how to navigate the relationship between historical evidence and creative storytelling while bringing figures from the past to life on the page.
Denny S. Bryce
Denny S. Bryce is the bestselling, award-winning author of six novels. She is also an NPR book critic, an adjunct professor at Drexel University, and a freelance writer who has written for Harper’s Bazaar and USA Today. A member of the Historical Novel Society, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Tall Poppy Writers, her novels explore themes of love, family, resilience, and the complexities of identity and issues of race, class, and gender.
The character convention challenge
After the convention, there will be four weeks of special programming in our membership designed to help you apply what you've learned to your characters, culminating in an opportunity to get a profile of one of your characters critiqued by our expert editors. There's no additional cost to this programming – it's all included in your membership.
Week one: character clinic
Want to dig a little deeper into one of your characters? Our character clinic is your chance to bring your questions to a History Quill editor and get a fresh perspective. Whether you’re thinking about motivation, character development, relationships, backstory, or simply want some help developing an idea, drop into this live session for practical advice and suggestions you can take back to your writing.
Week two: interview your characters
Get to know your characters by putting them in the interview chair. Each day, we’ll share a new question for you to answer in your character’s own voice, encouraging you to think, speak, and see the world as they do. It’s a fun way to explore their personality, experiences, desires, and outlook. You may discover things about them you didn’t even know!
Week three: character research sprint
Step into your character’s world with a focused research sprint. Choose one question about the historical world your character inhabits – something you don’t yet know but that could shape who they are or their experience within your story – and spend some time investigating it. Then share what you discovered with the community, including whether your research changed the way you see your character.
Week four: character profile critique
Choose one of your characters and bring everything you’ve discovered about them together in a character profile to get expert feedback from a History Quill editor. First, we’ll provide a profile template to help you explore the different dimensions of your character. Then post your completed profile and one of our editors will review it, offering constructive feedback and suggestions to help you develop your character further.
About our membership
Our character convention is exclusive to members of The History Quill. If you're an existing member, you can register for free as part of your membership. If you're not yet a member but want to participate in the convention, you can join during the registration process.
The convention is just one part of The History Quill membership. Designed specifically for historical fiction writers, our membership gives you year-round opportunities to develop your writing, deepen your historical research, connect with fellow writers, and move closer to your writing and publishing goals.
In our membership, you can:
Learn from experts
Join our monthly masterclasses, featuring accomplished authors and industry professionals exploring the craft, publication, and marketing of historical fiction.
Ask historians your research questions
Get direct access to historians through our monthly Q&As, with the opportunity to ask questions about the periods, places, and subjects relevant to your own writing.
Get professional feedback on your writing
Submit your work for our monthly live critiques to receive personalised feedback and suggestions.
Connect with other historical fiction writers
Become part of our dedicated online community, where you can share ideas, discuss your writing, take part in activities, and meet writers who understand the particular challenges of the genre.
Pitch your novel to literary agents
Connect with literary agents through our quarterly pitch parties, in which you can post a pitch for your novel in our online community and receive personalised feedback from an agent.
Benefit from discounts
Receive exclusive member discounts on selected History Quill services and courses.
For the full details, go to our dedicated membership page here.
Testimonials
See testimonials below from writers who attended our previous conventions.
The History Quill team and the speakers were just outstanding. It felt like you were coming online to hang out with your much smarter historical author friends. The knowledge that was passed on to us has opened up pathways for us all. We came out of this conference with new friends, new contacts, and so much new knowledge. If you did this five times a year I would be at every single one.
The History Quill has found creative ways to connect a big and growing community of writers – what some would describe as 'herding cats.' It does it well and offers everything: practical how-tos; thought-provoking discussions on how to manage the writing life; and inspirational guidance. The conferences have recharged me and helped immensely with my work.
This was a superbly organised conference with a focus on a genre that usually gets neglected at similar events. It was a pleasure to attend, network and learn with like-minded authors. I would definitely recommend it to all writers of historical fiction and am looking forward to booking my ticket for the next conference.
I've been to several writers' conferences and this one was my favorite. It was almost supernaturally well run, with a level of quality of presentations that I've never seen. I made wonderful connections, a beginning on finding the kind of community that's been missing in my life – other historical fiction writers.
This conference exceeded my expectations with a brilliant lineup of talented presenters providing outstanding content. The management of the entire event was professional and well-organized. Most of all, the conference created a friendly, supportive environment, which is not easy to do, especially on Zoom. I felt like I was with my people.
As a writer, I have to be very cognizant of how I spend my conference budget. This conference can have all my money! The quality of the presenters coupled with the professionalism of the staff made the experience outstanding. Thanks to this conference, I feel like I have finally found my writing community.
Frequently asked questions
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How do I register for the convention, and what is the cost?
You can register via any of the 'register now' buttons on this page. The convention is exclusive to History Quill members, and there is no additional charge to attend – the convention is free for members. If you're not currently a member, you can join as part of the registration process. You can learn more about our membership here.
Do I have to be a member of The History Quill to participate?
Yes – this convention is exclusive to History Quill members, so you will need to be a member to participate. If you're not yet a member, you can join as part of the registration process. You can learn more about our membership here. There is no obligation to continue your membership beyond the convention, but we hope you'll stick around for our special post-convention programming and everything else we have to offer!
Which countries do you accept registrations from?
We welcome registrations from people who are resident in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (excluding Saskatchewan), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and any EU country. If you are not resident in one of these countries, unfortunately we won’t be able to accept your business at this time.
Please note the stipulation about time zones below.
Will you accommodate different time zones?
We have organised the convention schedule to align well with North American and European time zones. Most events will take place at times of the day that are suitable for both North American and European participants. A small number of events will take place either in the early morning in North America or the late evening in Europe, but all events will be recorded for you to watch later.
If you are outside North America and Europe, you can still participate, but the convention may not align well with your local time zone. However, the convention will be recorded for you to watch at your convenience.
Will the convention be recorded?
Yes, all six sessions will be recorded and available for you to view as long as your History Quill membership remains active. Please note that the recordings will only be available to those who have registered for the convention and are active members at the time it takes place. They won't be made available to future members retrospectively or to members who didn't register.
How interactive will the sessions be? Can I ask questions?
The convention will be very interactive. All of the sessions will include some time for questions and answers at the end, and our convention chat will enable you to interact with other writers.
What if I can't attend some or all of the convention but still want to have access to the events?
No problem! If you want to attend but are unable to join us live for some or all of the convention, you can watch the recordings at your convenience instead.
Can I download the agenda?
Yes, you can download the PDF agenda via this link.
How do I cancel my membership?
You can cancel at any time. Members aren’t locked in for a minimum period, so you can join for as little as one month if you like. Just go to your account here, then go to the subscription section, and use the button there to cancel. Alternatively, you can email us at membership@thehistoryquill.com, and we'll cancel your membership subscription for you.
Where can I see the full terms and conditions?
You can view our full terms and conditions here. There is a section dedicated to virtual events and a section dedicated to the membership.
More questions?
If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to get in touch by emailing us at events@thehistoryquill.com.