As 2025 comes to a close, History Through Fiction enters a new chapter. In this post, Founder and Editor Colin Mustful reflects on the growth of the press, shares key milestones from the past year, and outlines a clear, sustainable vision for 2026. From expanded publishing programs and reader initiatives to new workshops, events, and the inaugural History Through Fiction Conference, this statement offers a transparent look at where HTF is headed—and why historically grounded storytelling remains at the heart of everything we do.

We are thrilled by the incredible response to our first-ever conference, taking place March 28–29 in Beverly, MA. While in-person registration has reached capacity, virtual attendees can still access all panels, workshops, and keynotes from the comfort of home. Plus, you’ll have the chance to participate in agent pitch sessions and receive manuscript or query critiques from experienced editors. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Writing Revolution—register for virtual attendance today!

Forgotten by history, the women of La Mutine survived chains, hurricanes, and isolation to become the Gulf Coast’s pioneering businesswomen, landowners, and matriarchs. Their story finally takes center stage.

History Through Fiction is excited to announce the upcoming 15th-anniversary edition of Jessica McCann’s award-winning novel, All Different Kinds of Free. This powerful story of Margaret Morgan, a free woman of color kidnapped and sold into slavery, sheds light on a pivotal moment in U.S. history. With significant updates, the revised edition will be released on November 10, 2026. Don’t miss this compelling blend of historical integrity and storytelling!

Discover the best new historical fiction of December 2025! From the mystical streets of 13th-century Bruges in Canticle to the battlefields of Napoleonic France in Sharpe’s Storm, the romantic intrigue of Camelot in The Once and Future Queen, the tender mysteries of 19th-century Vermont in Asa James, and the generational horrors of Dark Sisters, these five novels transport readers to vividly imagined worlds where courage, love, and danger collide.

The winners of History Through Fiction’s 3rd Annual Short Story Contest are in! Out of 110 incredible submissions, our judges have selected a grand prize winner and a runner-up whose stories captivated, surprised, and inspired. Curious who claimed the top spots—and which other historical tales made our shortlist? Click through to meet this year’s standout authors and discover the stories you won’t want to miss.

What connects Victorian sensation novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon and modernist icon Virginia Woolf? In The Secrets They Wrote, Jill George explores the daring, brilliant women behind the stories that reshaped literary history. Secrets, creativity, and courage span generations in this captivating tale of ambition, artistry, and the unbreakable bonds between women writers.

Looking for your next unforgettable read? This month’s must-reads bring history to life with romance, adventure, and unforgettable characters:

🔹 The Ivory City by Emily Bain Murphy – Step into the glittering 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where romance, intrigue, and murder collide.

🔹 I, Medusa by Ayana Gray – Experience mythology reimagined as a bold and powerful heroine claims her story with fire, heart, and haunting beauty.

🔹 Beasts of the Sea by Iida Turpeinen – A sweeping, elegiac tale spanning three centuries, exploring humanity, loss, and the fragile intersection with nature.

🔹 The Tortoise’s Tale by Kendra Coulter – A tender, whimsical debut that chronicles a giant tortoise’s extraordinary life and the enduring bonds between humans and animals.

🔹 The Fault Between Us by Stephanie Landsem – A suspenseful, heartfelt story of sisterhood and survival during the devastating 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake.

Dive into these captivating stories that transport, challenge, and inspire. 📖💫

The results are in! Out of 110 submissions, and 35 longlinsted titles, we’ve selected 10 stories for the shortlist of our 3rd Annual Short Story Contest.