Rudyard Kipling said, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Therein lies the power of historical fiction. Whether you’re writing a detailed account of the Battle of the Bulge or blending history and magic in a fanciful retelling seventeenth-century Salem, there are common elements that make stories from the past resonate with modern readers. Join me for a discussion of these key elements as well as common pitfalls that plague historical fiction authors. We’ll consider the responsibility an author has to the historical record and to the reader. We’ll also explore research techniques and ways to blend historical details into your writing. Finally, we’ll end with an exercise to help you more fully recreate the past on the page and craft a story that’s truly unforgettable.

Amanda Skenandore is the author of two historical novels, The Undertaker’s Assistant and Between Earth & Sky, winner of the 2019 American Library Association’s Reading List Award for Best Historical Fiction. Her third novel The Second Life of Mirielle West comes out in August, 2021. An avid reader, tea-drinker, and wanderlust, Amanda lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and their pet turtle Lenore.

Co-sponsored with the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library and the Eau Claire Community Foundation’s John and Betsy Kell Family Fund!