The best historical fiction novelists published by Next Chapter [June 2023]
Historical fiction is a genre of literature that blends fictional stories with real historical events, places, and people. This genre allows authors to recreate past periods and offer readers an immersive experience that transports them to another time and place. Historical fiction often explores themes of love, war, family, and identity against a backdrop of historical events that shaped the world we live in today.
The roots of historical fiction date back to ancient times, where writers such as Homer and Herodotus recorded fictionalized accounts of historical events. However, the genre as we know it today began to emerge in the 19th century, with works such as Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe" and Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities." Since then, historical fiction has become a popular and diverse genre, encompassing a wide range of time periods and styles.
One of the appeals of historical fiction is its ability to bring history to life in a way that textbooks cannot. Through richly imagined characters and vivid descriptions, readers can gain a deeper understanding of historical events and the people who lived through them. Historical fiction also allows authors to explore the gaps and uncertainties in historical records, offering alternative perspectives and interpretations of the past. Whether exploring ancient civilizations or more recent events, historical fiction provides a compelling window into the human experience throughout history.
On this page, we’ll introduce you to six of our up-and-coming historical fiction novelists, writing in a variety of subgenres from medieval to 19th century historical fiction.
If you enjoy the historical stories by Next Chapter authors, please don’t forget to leave the author a review :) Don’t agree with our choices? Please leave a comment and let us know which author is your favorite in the historical fiction genre!
Author Malcolm Archibald - Scotland
Short Biography
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland and educated at the University of Dundee, Malcolm Archibald writes in a variety of genres, from academic history to folklore, historical fiction to fantasy. He won the Dundee International Book Prize with 'Whales for the Wizard' in 2005.
Happily married for 35 years, Malcolm has three grown children and lives in darkest Moray in northern Scotland, close by a 13th century abbey and with buzzards and deer more common than people.
Featured Books
Author John Broughton - United Kingdom
Short Biography
John Broughton was born in Cleethorpes Lincolnshire UK in 1948: just one of the post-war baby boom. After attending grammar school and studying to the sound of Bob Dylan, he went to Nottingham University and studied Medieval and Modern History.
He decided to take up writing again late in his career. The fruit of that decision was his first historical novel, Die for a Dove, an archaeological thriller, followed by The Purple Thread and Wyrd of the Wolf. Both are set in his favourite Anglo-Saxon period.
Featured Books
Author Stuart G. Yates - Spain
Short Biography
Born on the Wirral, I live in Spain for the present, but my dream is to retire (Hah, what is that? Retire?) and live on a narrowboat along one of the many waterways around the Welsh border. I work as a teacher, a profession I've been in for almost 25 years, but writing is my first love.
Featured Book
Author David Blixt - United States
Short Biography
Author and playwright David Blixt's work is consistently described as "intricate," "taut," and "breathtaking." A writer of Historical Fiction, his novels span the early Roman Empire (the COLOSSUS series, his play EVE OF IDES) to early Renaissance Italy (the STAR-CROSS'D series) up through the Elizabethan era (his delightful espionage comedy HER MAJESTY'S WILL, starring Will Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe as inept spies). His novels combine a love of the theatre with a deep respect for the quirks and passions of history.
As the Historical Novel Society said, "Be prepared to burn the midnight oil. It's well worth it."
Featured Books
Author John Bentley - United Kingdom
Short Biography
John believes passionately that conveying a message, of whatsoever sort, effectively, in good English and with interest and originality, is the principal responsibility of a good author.
He has two grown-up children: one a Spanish graduate, the other a computer software developer and maintains that his own love affair with communication is shared by his offspring. In their way, they too communicate for a living.
Featured Books
Author Paul Arrowsmith - United Kingdom
Short Biography
I would say I have been writing stories in one form or another all my life, including starting my own amateur drama group at aged twenty and later on heading up a Theatre in Education company that performed in many schools in the north east of England. Later in life I graduated from ‘The Northern Film School,’ Leeds, UK where I studied for a MA in Screenwriting for Television & Film. In the past I have been supported by ‘The UK Film Council,’ ‘Northern Film & Media,’ ‘Film Four’ and have had five screenplays previously optioned by UK production companies.
Featured Book
There you go: six of the best historical fiction novelists you should add to your to-read list, as of March 2023. We hope you enjoy the work of our authors - and if you do, please leave a comment below, or a review in Goodreads or your favorite store. It would mean a lot to us!
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