‘Mark Twain famously said that history never repeats itself but it often rhymes. Whoever coined this aphorism, it is a good one for the historical writer to keep in mind, if only as a reminder of the unreliability of sources.’
– Sarah Bower, author of The Needle in the Blood and Lines and Shadows
The past is full of new stories.
Are you a writer inspired by history?
Find all things historical fiction from the National Centre for Writing: from reading lists to writing courses, free-to-access tips and tricks for crafting the perfect past-rich story, plus words of wisdom from some of our favourite writers and industry experts.
National Centre for Writing loves celebrating fiction inspired by historical event and figures, and we are always looking for ways to expand our offering to historical writers and readers alike. Here is your one-stop-shop for the genre of historical fiction.
Preparing for Publication (eight-week course)
Your manuscript is nearing the finish line, and your goal is clear: you want to be published. But what happens next?
Learn the practicalities of the industry, from polishing your prose to crafting a cover letter that demands the attention of agents and publishers.
Led by Jenny Knight, editor and author of award-winning novel Wild Moon Rising.
Starts Monday 12 October 2026.
Hear from the experts, from published authors to industry professionals:
How to evoke the past in your historical writing
In this article, Dr Breeze Barrington offers guidance on crafting vivid, immersive historical writing, including mindset tips, key questions, and writing prompts to help bring the past to life.
9 April 2026
The flesh and bones of historical writing
Imogen Hermes Gowar shares her thoughts on historical fiction and some tips on how to start your own history-inspired story.
4 August 2025
Writing strong female characters: Joanna Miller on The Eights
In this episode of The Writing Life, writer Joanna Miller shares her insights into writing strong female characters in historical fiction.
6 May 2025
Five essential research sources for your historical writing project
Where to start when researching for memoir or creative non-fiction
Award-winning non-fiction writer Katharine Reeves, currently working on a climate change memoir set in Norfolk, shares her go-to research sources when diving into a creative non-fiction or memoir project. These tools can also enrich fiction projects, helping writers craft vivid, authentic worlds.
What’s on — upcoming events, workshops & courses
Delve into history and hone your writing skills, gain insights from industry experts, and focus your research practices through our upcoming events and practical courses.
The Writing Life (June 2026)
Spark your creativity and build a creative routine with our 30-day writing challenge! The Writing Life includes 30 unique writing exercises.
Thursday 1 January
Mentoring with Kate Worsley
Explore Kate Worsley’s mentoring offer, aimed at developing long-form writing, whether that be fiction, non-fiction or somewhere in between.
Dates between Monday 15 June & Tuesday 1 December
The Spirit of Place with Laurence Mitchell
Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, this workshop with Laurence Mitchell reveals how to weave culture, folklore, and personal memory into the heart of place and landscape.
Saturday 27 June
The Writing Life: Reflect (July 2026)
Get playful and explore writing in this new 30-day writing challenge, with fresh prompts and unique lessons.
Wednesday 1 July
Everything is Material: Writing from Lived Experience with Uju Asika
Draw from your lived experiences to craft rich and compelling stories from both the ordinary and extraordinary moments.
Saturday 1 August
The Writing Life (September 2026)
Spark your creativity and build a creative routine with our 30-day writing challenge! The Writing Life includes 30 unique writing exercises.
Tuesday 1 September
Mindful Goal Setting with Louise Tondeur
Join us for a gentle, grounding session to help you pause, set intentions and reconnect with your writing.
Saturday 12 September
Opening Chapters with Louise Tondeur
Learn how to create intriguing, ‘hookful’ opening chapters through crafting and redrafting and how to use pacing to draw your readers into your story.
Saturday 12 September
How to Write Fiction (12-week course)
Learn the essential tools to craft compelling fiction, featuring personalised one-to-one feedback, engaging lessons, and practical exercises to help you develop a consistent writing practice.
Monday 21 September
How to Write Romantic Fiction (12-week course)
Develop compelling love stories by exploring characterisation, relationships, and worldbuilding. Gain confidence and writing skills and receive personalised feedback to craft and refine your romantic fiction.
Monday 21 September
Develop Your Fiction (18-week course)
This fiction course deepens your writing skills, guiding you through more sophisticated techniques and diverse approaches to storytelling. You’ll experiment creatively, read widely, and emerge with a polished draft.
Monday 21 September
The Writing Life: Reflect (October 2026)
Get playful and explore writing in this new 30-day writing challenge, with fresh prompts and unique lessons.
Thursday 1 October
Writing From the Archives with Elizabeth Lewis Williams (six-week course)
Discover how to use archives to craft narratives in this six-week evening course led by writer Elizabeth Lewis Williams.
Tuesday 13 October
Preparing for Publication (eight-week course)
Take your manuscript from draft to submission with an eight‑week course that prepares you for publishing and the professional writing world.
Monday 12 October
