This week, Ian Tan shares about returning to a rusty practice: Observing the Sabbath. Open about how slow-going and uneventful it was, he bares the question of how many of us observe spiritual or faith-based ways to relax and recharge, and encourages everyone to recognize the richness within the history of religion, and the role it has played in shaping our cultures, our economies, our arts, our lives.

Ian muses on the recently passed Writing Conference by History Through Fiction, lamenting that he could not be present physically. He looks forward to slowly accessing the trove of incredible resources and presentations recorded by HTF, but counsels against wanting to consume them at great speed to one’s detriment. Taking things slow and measuredly goes with the spirit of rest for a busy, busy researcher

HTF Publishing is thrilled to announce the signing of award-winning author Barbara Marshak for her sixth novel, The Last Fugitive. Inspired by a real-life story of accountability, redemption, and the choices that shape our lives, this chilling mystery-thriller explores how far someone will go to face the past—and at what cost.

Discover more about Marshak, her inspiration, and what to expect from this highly anticipated release

For this week’s rest journal, Ian Tan decided to go the good ol’ fashioned route of touching grass and getting some outdoors time, as hundreds and thousands of people would do before the Internet, before the 21st century. He went, not to the mall or the movies, but a childhood park where he imagined dinosaurs like he used to, and decompressed in nostalgia.

Historical writers, if you are going through a writing block, or research is making you want to tug your hair out, perhaps a good old grass-touching is needed. Bring a book if you must read, or pen and paper if you must write.

In this weekly series A researcher’s rest journal, intern Ian Tan managed to insert a lull in between endless research to get some long-awaited writing done. Sometimes, a break from relentless time scouring e-library textbooks and Reddit discussions is simply that - time set aside to write!

What did he write though? Find out in the post! And more importantly, what have you been writing lately?

How often do we historical writers rest in a way that isn’t in some way productive, but solely indulgent? In this week’s journal entry, Ian Tan shares about his first time watching the Pirates of the Caribbean series and his latest favorite movie Rango, and how recharging it can occasionally be to just watch movies.

He also shares about buying more books (historical fiction, you got it), and drops some impressive titles that you might want to check out, if you have not heard of them. From new movies to new books, sometimes we just need to indulge some freshness before we get back to our routine.

How do you indulge?

What happens when a researcher slows down, rereads a favorite novel, and reflects on the balance between historical accuracy and creative freedom? In this week’s journal entry, Ian Tan shares moments of rest, insights from revisiting Ken Follett’s The Evening and the Morning, and thoughtful takeaways from an exclusive cover reveal event.

From medieval social dynamics to audiobook collaboration—and a powerful reminder that historical fiction is, at its heart, about storytelling—this post is full of fresh perspective. Plus, there’s a journal question for writers and a sneak peek at an exciting upcoming release.

In A Researcher’s Rest Journal, Ian Tan reflects on the familiar rhythm of writers and historians who can spend endless hours chasing research threads—through archives, podcasts, JSTOR, Reddit, and meticulously organized folders—while quietly neglecting rest, leisure reading, and creative exploration. This thoughtful introduction invites fellow scholars and storytellers to consider the discipline of stepping back: to read for pleasure, reconnect with story ideas, and find a healthier balance between research and renewal.