‘Born in history, immortalised in story.’ Six award winning writers reveal how they write historical fiction

The excitement and anticipation is mounting as we get to the countdown to the announcement of the winner of the inaugural Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction. The six writers on the shortlist have revealed the how and why in the ways they work. Each has offered special insights into why historical fiction is important, what it reveals about human nature and the significance and importance it has for us today.

The winner of the inaugural Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction  will be announced on Saturday 16 October from 4:00 – 4:45pm via ZOOM, free admission. Book here.

Felice Arena : The Great Escape – ‘ A portal to another time’

Maree Coote: Azaria A True History – ‘A true story—based on real events—that is lifted it out of its time to reset the story as a universal tale.’

Meg McKinlay: Catch a Falling Star – ‘I’m always  just following a story seed, a little kernel of inspiration, down whatever rabbit hole that might lead me.’

Katrina Nannestad: We Are Wolves – ‘A historical novel brings history alive and inspires young readers to ponder big issues – peace, justice, kindness and tolerance, to name just a few.’

Pamela Rushby: The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle – ‘The best, the strangest, the most riveting, heart-breaking, laugh-out-loud stories aren’t fiction, they’re real!’

Claire Saxby: Haywire – ‘I see patterns there that hopefully can inform the future’