'Katherine's mentoring and feedback was invaluable and supportive for me at a time when I was ready to give up on a challenging long-term project. The combination of wise coaching and expert editorial critique, delivered sensitively and warmly, was just perfect. I really appreciated how flexible and kind Katherine was, and I can recommend her wholeheartedly to other writers, whatever stage they are at.'
Liz Flanagan, award-winning author of the Wildsmith and
Dragon Daughter series
Get Started in Historical Fiction Launches 15 October 2025!
If you’ve ever dreamed of writing historical fiction but don’t know where to start, this course was built for you.
After almost two decades of writing novels, mentoring hundreds of writers, and seeing the same struggles play out again and again, I’ve partnered with The History Quill to create a course for anyone who’s ever wanted to write historical fiction but wasn’t sure how – or where – to begin.
Get Started in Historical Fiction is everything I’ve learned about turning passion into progress – paired with the practical craft guidance new historical fiction writers actually need. This is the best of my teaching, distilled into one course, for the first time.
It’s everything I wish I’d had when I started – here’s what’s inside:
What you'll learn
Across eight comprehensive modules, you’ll learn how to turn history into story: from generating and developing story ideas, to researching the past without overwhelm, to creating vivid characters and immersive worlds that bring bygone eras to life. You’ll master key elements of storytelling craft – voice, point of view, dialogue, structure, and more – all with a focus on the unique challenges of writing historical fiction.
By the end, you’ll not only have the foundations of a compelling novel, but also a sustainable writing practice and a clear understanding of your next steps, whether that’s finishing a draft, editing, or exploring publication.
Who's it for?
This course is designed for beginners and aspiring writers who want to learn how to write historical fiction. You don’t need any prior writing experience.
It’s also a great fit if you’ve already started writing historical fiction but feel stuck or unsure how to move forward. It’ll help you find fresh inspiration, refine your ideas, avoid common pitfalls, and strengthen your writing.
What's included?
30+ video lessons
Nearly 6 hours of expert teaching
Downloadable PDFs
A written summary of every lesson
Writing exercises
Put your new skills into practice
Lifetime access
Learn entirely at your own pace
Course Outline
Introduction (10 mins)
● Welcome to Get started in historical fiction
● A note on AI and fiction writing
Module 1: Getting started (40 mins)
● Lesson 1: What is historical fiction?
● Lesson 2: What makes a good story?
● Lesson 3: How to find story ideas
● Lesson 4: Planning & outlining your historical novel
Module 2: Researching the past (40 mins)
● Lesson 5: The four types of research
● Lesson 6: Common research pitfalls and how to avoid them
● Lesson 7: Planning & organising your research
● Lesson 8: Is it ever OK to change historical fact?
Module 3: Creating compelling characters (40 mins)
● Lesson 9: Whose story is it?
● Lesson 10: Writing real historical figures
● Lesson 11: Developing your characters
Module 4: Building historical worlds (30 mins)
● Lesson 12: How to create a convincing setting
● Lesson 13: Creating historical atmosphere
Module 5: Elements of writing craft (60 mins)
● Lesson 14: Narrative choices – and why they matter
● Lesson 15: Understanding narrators in fiction
● Lesson 16: Point of view
● Lesson 17: Past vs present tense
● Lesson 18: Showing and telling
Module 6: Creating historical voices (40 mins)
● Lesson 19: What do we mean by voice?
● Lesson 20: Recreating historical voices
● Lesson 21: How to write great dialogue
● Lesson 22: Common pitfalls in historical dialogue and how to avoid them
Module 7: Storytelling techniques (40 mins)
● Lesson 23: Story and plot – what’s the difference?
● Lesson 24: Story structure
● Lesson 25: Beginnings and endings
● Lesson 26: Creating pace and tension
Module 8: Next steps on your writing journey (50 mins)
● Lesson 27: Developing a writing practice
● Lesson 28: How to finish your first draft
● Lesson 29: The editing process
● Lesson 30: Your publication options
A bit about your tutor...
I’ve been writing and publishing historical fiction for almost two decades and mentoring writers for just as long. History is where I’ve always turned for inspiration. It’s where the best stories live.
But I know how overwhelming it can feel when you're just starting out, especially when you care deeply about getting it right.
I created this course because I regularly meet writers who are passionate about the past, but paralysed by the same questions:
How do I turn real history into a novel people actually want to read?
How do I build a historical world that feels believable and alive?
Can I change the facts if they don’t fit my story?
And how do I even know when I’ve researched enough to begin?
This course was designed to answer all of those questions and many more.
With expert guidance, practical tools, and a focus on sustainable writing habits, you’ll finally have the structure and support to move your idea from imagination to the page… and keep going, long into the future.
If this sounds like what you’ve been waiting for, you’ll find everything you need inside.
Got questions?
Jump on over to The History Quill where you'll find all the info on price, and payments, FAQs and other practical details.
I'm proud to partner with The History Quill who are hosting this course on their online platform and will take care of all customer service. Please direct all queries to them.
Note: All links provided on this page are affiliate links – for each purchase via this link I will receive a small fee.
