Here’s what historical fiction isn’t: a costume drama, a shop window for archaic customs, or a platform for the sort of “thee” and “thou” language which has fallen into disuse. Here’s what historical fiction is: a story set in the past and brought to life in the present, with themes and dilemmas with resonance today. At its core, historical fiction is a compelling story in which plot and character are more important than setting. Yet the setting can enhance a reader’s enjoyment of the novel. Author
and journalist Martina Devlin will give a two-and-a-half-hour workshop investigating how and why a historical novel can and must become a story in its own right – without sacrificing accuracy.