The Historical Writers’ Association (HWA) has great pleasure in revealing the 2025 Crown Awards shortlists, celebrating the best in historical writing, fiction and non-fiction, published during 2024–2025. There are three awards categories — HWA Gold Crown, HWA Non-fiction Crown, and HWA Debut Crown — and six shortlisted books in each category. The books shortlisted for […]
Stormcrow by Ben Kane
On the east coast of Ireland 13-year old Finn finds the sword of a slain Norseman, and with Odin’s raven watching, is given the name Stormcrow. When Finn’s family is torn apart by a random act of violence, and the sword lost, he embarks on a quest for revenge with his oldest friend, the shaman […]
The Ballad of Mary Kearney by Katherine Mezzacappa
In County Down in 1767, a nobleman secretly marries his servant, in defiance of law, class, and religion. Can their love survive tumultuous times? An impoverished tenant farmer sends his 17-year-old daughter Mary into service at the home of his Ascendancy landlord. Viscount Kilkeel, the impulsive but idealistic son of Lord Goward, lately returned from […]
Stormcrow by Ben Kane
On the east coast of Ireland 13-year-old Finn finds the sword of a slain Norseman, and with Odin’s raven watching, is given the name Stormcrow. When Finn’s family is torn apart by a random act of violence, and the sword lost, he embarks on a quest for revenge with his oldest friend, the shaman Vekel. […]
Historia Live in Dublin, 1 May, 2024
Historia Live Dublin returns on 1 May with four more bestselling authors of historical fiction. The theme is When History Meets Mystery featuring Sinéad Crowley, Amanda Geard and Carmel Harrington. The discussion, led by Hazel Gaynor, will look at novels with dual or multiple timelines and narrators, the skill of creating suspense on the page, the difficulties of weaving a […]
Historia Live in Dublin
Historia Live is coming to Ireland! If you enjoy historical fiction (or just good writing) join us in Dublin on 18 October for a free author event with four well-known Irish authors. The Historical Writers’ Association (HWA) and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature have teamed up to bring you Historia Live Dublin, an exciting new series […]
The Winter Guest by WC Ryan
January 1921, and though the Great War is over, in Ireland a new, civil war is raging. The once-grand Kilcolgan House, a crumbling bastion shrouded in sea-mist, lies half empty and filled with ghosts — both real and imagined — the Prendevilles, the noble family within, co-existing only as the balance of their secrets is […]
The Winter Guest by WC Ryan
January 1921. Though the Great War is over, in Ireland a new, civil war is raging. The once-grand Kilcolgan House, a crumbling bastion shrouded in sea-mist, lies half empty and filled with ghosts – both real and imagined – the Prendevilles, the noble family within, co-existing only as the balance of their secrets is kept. […]








