Deborah Swift reports on this year’s Historical Novel Society Conference in Oxford. This year’s Historical Novel Society Conference was held in Oxford, a beautiful and historic setting for what turned out to be a thought-provoking event for writers and readers of what has come to be labelled ‘historical fiction’. The conference itself was based in […]
The First Five Years of HWA
Changing career to follow one’s calling is the stuff of dreams. It’s unfortunate that for many, the dream never becomes reality, but Manda Scott is one of those talented individuals for whom it did come true. More than a decade ago, she abandoned the world of veterinary medicine to become an author – and not […]
Into the Fire by Manda Scott
Any book that’s about Joan of Arc is bound to pique my interest. A timeslip novel (half modern day, half historical fiction) about this enigmatic figure is even more interesting, and when written by an author whose work I admire, even more so. It was with considerable expectation, therefore, that I started reading an advance […]
Lies, Damned Lies and Historical ‘Facts’
It’s that time again: publication of a new book. Two years’ work – or in this case rather more, if we include the research – launches out into the world and we find out if those outside the charmed and charming circle of our publishers, friends and fellow authors, want to read it enough to […]
HWA Announce Debut Crown Shortlist
The shortlist for this year’s HWA Debut Crown Award in new historical fiction was announced at the AGM on 17th June 2015. It’s an amazingly strong list, proving that there’s no shortage of great new writers choosing history as their subject. As HWA Chair, Manda Scott says, “It’s a testament to the incredible talent of these […]
Manda Scott watches Peaky Blinders
Warning: contains spoilers! If you’re old enough to remember Last of the Mohicans – the first, amazing, black-and-white-but-blood-red-scarlet-on-the-inside, Philip Madoc version in which he learned the Mohawk language to play the part, not the ghastly, plastic Daniel Day Lewis vehicle – will know that once in a while, the BBC steps beyond its comfort zone […]