What’s in a name? Character names and why they matter
Top tips for writing a dual or multiple timeline novel
From Saturnalia to Santa Claus: Christmases past to present
Writing from multiple points of view
Top tips for writing gothic historical fiction
Is your story idea viable? 7 tips to help you decide
16 top historical fiction publishers
If you’ve toiled over a manuscript, polished it and made it the best it can be, you might be on the search for a suitable home for your precious words. You might be daunted by this prospect – so many publishers, where to begin? Finding a publisher for your manuscript...
Picturing the past: how art can inspire and inform your writing
Art is a rich resource for historical fiction writers. It tells us what things looked like – and what people thought. Want to know what fashions were worn in your period? Easy, look at portrait paintings. Every story about the Tudors conjures Holbein’s iconic portrait...
What ails you? Medical treatment through time
The astonishing intricacy of the human body is wondrous, yet sometimes it malfunctions and we fall ill. This blog post will look at how Western medicine and treatment – particularly in Britain – was influenced by religion and superstition, the printed word, war,...
Five tips for writing inclusive historical fiction: how to respectfully increase representation in your work
How can historical fiction authors ensure their writing truly reflects the reality of their chosen period? So much research goes into writing a historical novel: digging into the archives, consulting experts, site visits and fact-checking, all to make sure a book is...
How specificity can elevate your writing
Specificity in writing is about using precise, sharply defined words that convey your unique story. It is particularly useful in historical fiction because being specific, rather than general, conjures vivid settings and character, with economy of words. Here is an...