Join us for What’s New in Historical Fiction, a vibrant panel series celebrating bold new voices and fresh perspectives in historical storytelling. Moderated by Colin Mustful, founder of History Through Fiction, this special event features four powerful authors whose novels uncover hidden histories, challenge the status quo, and illuminate the human experience across time and place.

Alina Adams, author of Go On Pretending
Kyra Davis Lurie, author of The Great Mann
C.W. Towarnicki, author of Notes from a Deserter
Marie Bostwick, author of The Book Club for Troublesome Women

Alina Adams presents Go On Pretending, a sweeping, intergenerational saga following three women across the 20th and 21st centuries as they navigate personal and political upheaval—from the early days of television in 1950s America to the fall of the Soviet Union, and finally to the revolutionary frontlines in modern-day Syria. Drawing on her own experience as a Soviet immigrant and soap opera writer, Adams crafts a deeply layered narrative of identity, activism, and the unbreakable bonds of family.

Kyra Davis Lurie reimagines a classic tale through a fresh lens in The Great Mann, a retelling of The Great Gatsby set within the Black elite of 1940s Los Angeles. Returning home from war, Charlie Trammell finds himself swept into the orbit of the enigmatic James "Reaper" Mann, whose lavish parties and hidden truths expose both the glamour and fragility of a community on the brink. Lurie’s novel explores race, class, and the American Dream with piercing insight and lyrical prose.

C.W. Towarnicki’s Notes from a Deserter is a moving portrait of one man's harrowing Civil War journey from honor to heartbreak. Told in vivid vignettes and letters, this short story cycle traces the true story of William Henry Howe, a farmer-turned-soldier whose decision to desert the battlefield leads to tragic consequences. Through shifting perspectives and poetic prose, Towarnicki reveals the devastating human cost of war and the quiet heroism of ordinary lives.

Marie Bostwick brings warmth, wit, and wisdom to The Book Club for Troublesome Women, a nostalgic yet timely novel set in 1960s suburban Virginia. When a dissatisfied housewife starts a book club inspired by The Feminine Mystique, she and three other women begin to question everything they’ve been told about womanhood, marriage, and their place in society. As their friendships deepen, so does their resolve to redefine what it means to live authentically. Bostwick’s novel is a love letter to resilience, rebellion, and the power of shared stories.

Don’t miss this unforgettable conversation with four compelling authors who are reshaping how we see the past—and ourselves. Register now to secure your spot!