Best historical fiction writers are those who can capture the feel of history as it is experienced by people of the time period they are writing about. They must be able to evoke emotion in their readers and create a believable world that is full of characters and events. Some of the best historical fiction writers in the world include:
Hilary Mantel
Hilary Mantel is a British author and one of the best historical fiction writers of our time. She was born in Derbyshire and studied at the University of Sheffield. Her novels include Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and the acclaimed trilogy of the Tudors, the Cromwell dynasty. She won the Booker Prize twice, for Wolf Hall in 2009 and for Bring Up the Bodies in 2012.
Hilary Waters
The best historical fiction writers have had long and fruitful careers. While the genre is still considered drab, it has earned the respect of literary critics and has consistently appeared on bestseller lists worldwide. Hilary Waters has been recognized for her works based on historical events.
Georgette Heyer
Georgette Heyer is one of the best-selling historical fiction writers of all time. She wrote over forty historical novels during different time periods, including the Regency and Georgian eras. Heyer was known for her excellent writing and memorable characters. Her books have sold over thirty million copies worldwide.
Sarah Waters
Sarah Waters is a British author known for her historical fiction novels. She has a Ph.D. in English Literature and has taught at the Open University. She has won several awards, including the Somerset Maugham Award and the Betty Trask Award. Her books have been adapted for television and film. Her novels include The Little Stranger and The Night Watch.
Hazel Gaynor
Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning writer and one of the best historical fiction writers in the world. Her debut novel, The Girl From the Savoy, won the 2015 Romantic Novelists’ Association Historical Novel of the Year prize. It also won the WHSmith Fresh Talent Award and was shortlisted for the 2016 Irish Book Awards. Her most recent novel, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter, has been shortlisted for the 2019 Historical Writers’ Association Gold Crown Award and the 2021 Grand Prix du Roman Historique.
Heather Webb
Heather Webb is a USA Today Bestselling author of seven historical novels. Her books shed light on some of the fascinating historical events. Her novels have been translated into fifteen languages. She is currently living in New York and loves to travel.
James Ellroy
James Ellroy is considered one of the best historical fiction writers today. His books cover a range of topics, from the infamous murders of the American Revolution to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy. His work has also received praise and a loyal cult following.