Blog
In-Person Registration is Full – Secure Your Virtual Spot at the HTF Conference!
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!
Book & Author Spotlight: The Mutiny Brides by Barbara Sontheimer
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 to Republish Jessica McCann’s Award-Winning Novel
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!
Best New Historical Fiction - December 2025
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.
Worstedopolis: The Ascendancy of Bradford in the Global Wool Trade during the Industrial Revolution
During the Industrial Revolution, Bradford transformed from a modest market town into “Worstedopolis,” the world’s leading center for worsted wool production. This rise was fueled by local resources, technological innovation, and strategic transport links, attracting a booming population and creating grand Victorian architecture. Industrialists like Titus Salt and Samuel Cunliffe-Lister drove both economic and social change. Though the textile industry later declined, Bradford’s industrial legacy endures, shaping its identity and earning it recognition as the UK City of Culture 2025.
Don’t Fear the Research: Writing Fiction as an Outsider
N.T. McQueen shares how thorough research and direct outreach to cultural insiders helped him authentically write about the Armenian Genocide. He emphasizes that diligent study and genuine engagement with the community can overcome fears of misrepresentation, leading to more authentic, accepted, and rewarding historical fiction.
Announcing the Winners of History Through Fiction’s 3rd Annual Short Story Contest!
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.
Book & Author Spotlight: The Secrets They Wrote by Jill George
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.
Heroes who did not surrender – Operation Anthropoid in Prague, 1942
In occupied Prague, two paratroopers struck Reinhard Heydrich, defied a citywide manhunt, and made their last stand in a flooded crypt—so a nation could rise again. This concise introduction traces the night drops of 29 Dec 1941, the ambush at Heydrich’s Curve on 27 May 1942, the Lidice massacre, and the seven-hour fight in the crypt of Sts. Cyril & Methodius. It’s a story of courage under impossible odds—and why it mattered for the restoration of Czechoslovakia after the war.
Best New Historical Fiction - November 2025
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 Wretched and Undone Comes to Life as an Audiobook
HTF Publishing announces the audiobook release of J.E. Weiner’s debut novel, The Wretched and Undone, narrated by Scott Fleming. Set in Civil War-era Texas, the story blends Southern Gothic, history, and family saga. Preorder now for a suspenseful, immersive listening experience when it launches February 5, 2026.
King Augustus the Strong: Patron, Power-Seeker, and Porcelain-Obsessed Tyrant
Jillian Forsberg’s The Porcelain Menagerie details the life of King Augustus II the Strong, a ruler famed for his physical might, political ambition, and obsession with porcelain. Forsberg’s novel reveals the king’s extravagant court, ruthless power plays, and cruelty, blending historical fact with fiction to portray a complex, dangerous world where beauty and brutality coexist.
A NOBLE CUNNING: THE COUNTESS AND THE TOWER IS NOW AVAILABLE IN AUDIOBOOK FORM
A Noble Cunning: The Countess and the Tower, the award-winning novel by Patricia Bernstein, is now available as an audiobook narrated by acclaimed voice artist Talon David. Experience the gripping true story of a Catholic noblewoman’s daring rescue from the Tower of London.
Announcing the Shortlist for the 3rd Annual Short Story Contest
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.
The Case for Betty Floyd—Was She the Culper Ring’s Mysterious 355?
Peggy Wirgau’s novel, To Outwit Them All, reimagines the story of the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution through the eyes of Betty Floyd, possibly the mysterious Agent 355. Drawing from historical research and speculation, the novel explores Betty’s potential role as a spy, her connections, and the enduring mystery surrounding her true identity and fate.
Cover Reveal: The Water Lilies of Mishipeshu and The Choir
Get ready to be captivated! We’re thrilled to reveal the stunning covers for two upcoming novels from History Through Fiction: The Water Lilies of Mishipeshu by Karla Cruise and The Choir by Carol M. Cram. These extraordinary stories, filled with resilience, mystery, and inspiration, are now available for pre-order through our exclusive Early Access program. Plus, don’t miss your chance to join a special virtual event with the authors! Pre-orders ship December 1, 2025—months before the official release. Dive into the details and secure your copies today!
Beyond the Human Gaze: What Animals Reveal in Historical Fiction
Animals in historical fiction serve as more than background—they provide fresh perspectives on human history. From War Horse’s tribute to animal sacrifice, Black Beauty’s plea for compassion, and Water for Elephants’ exploration of love amid hardship, to Animal Farm’s political allegory, these works show how animal voices reveal suffering, resilience, and truths often hidden from human eyes.
Best New Historical Fiction - October 2025
Looking for your next unforgettable read? Our October 2025 roundup of Best New Historical Fiction highlights five extraordinary novels that transport readers across time and continents, from the jungles of the Philippines and the courts of Portugal to haunted mansions in 1950s Hong Kong and the gilded halls of 18th-century Dresden. Discover sweeping tales of love, resilience, ambition, and survival—perfect for history lovers and story enthusiasts alike.
Meet the Intern: Get to know Evelyn Nygren, our fall intern and lifelong book enthusiast
We’re thrilled to welcome Evelyn Nygren as our fall intern at History Through Fiction! A recent English graduate with a passion for both publishing and storytelling, Evelyn brings a love of books that spans from Robin Hobb to Nicholas Sparks. Get to know her reading tastes, career goals, and what excites her most about joining our team.
Was there a “Rise of the Novel” in Eighteenth-Century China?
Was there a “rise of the novel” in eighteenth-century China, or was Hong Lou Meng a brilliant outlier? Discover how social and historical forces shaped the fate of the Chinese novel compared to its English counterpart.