Blog
Shadows on Summit: A Review of the St. Paul Ghost Tour by U.S. Ghost Adventures
As the sun set over Summit Avenue, St. Paul’s historic mansions seemed to exhale forgotten secrets into the evening air. What began as a scenic stroll quickly became something more—an eerie, poetic immersion into the haunted history of one of America's grandest boulevards.
Led by our guide Margo, the St. Paul Ghost Tour by U.S. Ghost Adventures unfolded like a Gothic novel come to life…
How Humor Finds a Voice in Historical Fiction
Patricia Furstenberg explores how humor enriches historical fiction, offering emotional resilience, social commentary, and deeper character connection. Far from trivializing suffering, wit reveals cultural identity, challenges power, and bridges past and present. Through jokes and satire, humor exposes human complexity, fosters empathy, and makes history relatable—showing that laughter has always been a vital tool for survival and understanding.
Would You Attend the History Through Fiction Conference Virtually? Let Us Know!
Next year, History Through Fiction is hosting our first-ever in-person conference. We’ve received so much positive feedback about the conference that we’re considering providing a virtual attendance option. Before we decide, we want to hear from you! Would you be interested in attending the 2026 History Through Fiction Conference virtually?
The More Things Change…A Look at 1970 and Today
Trish MacEnulty reflects on the parallels between the protests of 1970 and those of 2025, noting recurring struggles for justice, equality, and peace. Drawing from her novel "Cinnamon Girl" and historical events, she highlights lessons from past activism: violence breeds violence, lawlessness undermines causes, community matters, growth is vital, change requires persistence, and never giving up is essential. Despite setbacks, progress is possible through collective, determined action.
A Stitch in Time: Avoiding Anachronism in Characters’ Clothing and Jewelry
Attention to historical accuracy in fiction is vital for immersive world-building. Details like clothing, jewelry, and even shoes reveal class, status, and era—sumptuary laws, codpieces, and shoe styles all mattered. Trends in ear piercings and rings changed over centuries, reflecting social shifts. Writers should research even small details, as inaccuracies can break authenticity. The Victorian era especially saw rapid fashion changes, making careful research essential for believable storytelling.
Best New Historical Fiction - July 2025
From the windswept Highlands of 18th-century Scotland to the skies of WWII America, these standout new historical novels for July offer unforgettable characters, sweeping backdrops, and bold stories of resilience, rebellion, and hope. Whether you're craving a multigenerational epic, a wartime family saga, or a tale of frontier defiance, our top picks will transport and inspire.
History Through Fiction Signs Brynn Barineau for Second Novel, Jungle of Ashes
We’re excited to announce the acquisition of Jungle of Ashes, the forthcoming novel by Brynn Barineau, author of Jaguars and Other Game. Set in the Amazon during the rise and fall of Henry Ford’s experimental rubber town, Fordlandia, this powerful historical novel explores the cost of empire through the eyes of a young woman caught between cultures, identities, and impossible choices.
A History of Conferences: From the Agora, to Salons, to Zoom
Historical and literary conferences have evolved from ancient Greek agoras and 17th-century salons to modern global forums. These gatherings, once informal, became structured platforms for sharing ideas, fostering collaboration, and advancing scholarship. Today, hybrid and virtual formats make them more accessible, continuing their role as vital spaces for intellectual exchange and community building.
History Through Fiction Announces Inaugural Conference Celebrating “A Writing Revolution”
History Through Fiction is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever in-person conference, the History Through Fiction Conference, taking place March 28–29, 2026, at the historic Wylie Center and Tupper Manor at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Meet the Intern: Henna Schecter
Meet History Through Fiction’s summer intern! Henna is a senior at Macalester College in St. Paul, and is majoring in English and geology.
Cover Reveal: The Porcelain Menagerie by Jillian Forsberg
We’re pleased to share the cover of Jillian Forsberg’s second novel, The Porcelain Menagerie, a companion to her debut, The Rhino Keeper, which was recently honored as a 2025 Kansas Notable Book.
Best New Historical Fiction - June 2025
Looking for your next great read? Our picks for Best New Historical Fiction – June 2025 explore untold stories, reimagined legends, and powerful perspectives—from 1940s Black Los Angeles to Civil War satire, mythological retellings, and a haunting WWII-era hotel in West Virginia. Don’t miss these standout new releases.
From First to Final Draft: What We Can Learn By Reading Draft One of South of Sepharad
Eric Z. Weintraub’s blog post explores the revision process by sharing the first draft of South of Sepharad and analyzing its evolution. He discusses challenges like finding the right opening, deepening character perspectives, and “character folding.” Weintraub emphasizes that revision is essential for improvement, encourages writers to embrace feedback, and concludes that a novel is finished when it’s published and meets the writer’s own standards for excellence.
The Rhino Keeper Named a 2025 Kansas Notable Book!
We’re thrilled to announce that The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg has been named one of the 2025 Kansas Notable Books! Selected by the State Library of Kansas, this prestigious list honors 15 outstanding titles written by Kansans or focused on Kansas-related topics.
The Collective Reader: Tracing the Evolution of Book Clubs Through Time
Book clubs began as spaces for women’s education and debate, evolving from 17th-century Bible study groups to 18th-century reading circles and 19th-century forums for women’s rights. The 20th century saw mass participation with the Book-of-the-Month Club and Oprah’s Book Club, blending social connection and intellectual growth, while expanding access to literature and fostering diverse reading communities.
Cover Reveal! The Boy with the Jade by Charles Bush
We are thrilled to reveal the stunning cover for The Boy with the Jade, the highly anticipated historical novel by Charles Bush—coming September 16, 2025, from HTF Publishing.
The Aziola’s Cry Wins Gold in Historical Fiction at 2025 IBPA Book Awards
We’re proud to announce that The Aziola’s Cry by Ezra Harker Shaw is gold winner of the 2025 IBPA Book Award for Historical Fiction!
Go On Pretending: From Stalin’s Doctors Plot to Soviet Central Television
Alina Adams post explores the creation of Dennis Kagan, a fictional Soviet media elite in the novel “Go On Pretending,” inspired by real-life Soviet propagandist Vladimir Pozner. Through Kagan’s story—shaped by personal trauma from Stalin’s Doctors Plot and cynical opportunism—the post examines Soviet media manipulation, propaganda, and shifting allegiances. Ultimately, Kagan’s character highlights how survival and self-interest often outweighed ideology in the USSR’s media landscape.
The Rhino Keeper Named a Finalist for the Midwest Book Awards
We’re thrilled to announce that The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg has been named a finalist for the 2025 Midwest Book Awards in the Historical Fiction category! Published by History Through Fiction, The Rhino Keeper is a powerful exploration of empathy and displacement set against the backdrop of 18th-century Europe—and it’s receiving well-deserved recognition.
Go On Pretending: African-Americans and the USSR
Alina Adams explores the complex relationship between African-Americans and the USSR, focusing on Paul Robeson’s admiration for Stalin and the Soviet Union’s supposed racial equality. Through her novel’s characters, Adams highlights how some African-Americans, like Robeson, overlooked Soviet atrocities in hopes of a better life, only to confront harsh realities. The story questions the cost of “going on pretending” about utopian ideals.