Historical Fiction Awards
Comprehensive guide to awards for historical fiction writers. From medieval to 20th century settings, discover competitions for your historical novels.
About Historical Fiction Awards
Historical fiction has dedicated awards celebrating novels set in past eras. The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is one of the most prestigious, while the Historical Novel Society presents awards for both traditionally and independently published historical fiction.
Major Historical Fiction Awards
Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction
UK's premier historical fiction award for novels set at least 60 years in the past. Prize: £25,000
HNS Indie Award
Historical Novel Society award specifically for independently published historical fiction.
Rubery Book Award - Historical Fiction
UK award with dedicated historical fiction category for indie authors.
General Awards with Historical Fiction Winners
Historical Fiction Awards FAQ
How far back must a novel be set to be "historical"?
Definitions vary. The Walter Scott Prize requires novels be set at least 60 years in the past. The Historical Novel Society generally considers anything before living memory (about 50 years) as historical.
Can historical fiction win general literary awards?
Absolutely! Historical novels regularly win major prizes like the Booker, Pulitzer, and Women's Prize for Fiction. The genre is well-represented among literary award winners.