Helen Johnson, Yorkshire Writer

Helen Johnson Freelance Writer

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Tag Archives: historical fiction

stories to make the past come alive

Memorable historical novels of 2023

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Helen Johnson

Some of the more memorable books I’ve reviewed this year. A selection of memorable Historical Novel Reviews of the year As a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society, and a Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction, Journalism | Tagged fiction, historical fiction, journalism, Reviews

New Novel, New Research: Viking medicine

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Helen Johnson
11th Century healing and medicine

New year, a fresh start, and, one of my favourite parts of a new historical novel: the research. My latest story features an Anglo-Scandinavian woman healer living in 11th century Continue Reading →

Posted in 11th Century, Fiction, History and Archaeology | Tagged 11th century, fiction, historical fiction, History and Archaeology, Women's history

Historical Novels Review August 2021 issue

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Helen Johnson

Historical Novels Review is out in print and online. Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction, Journalism | Tagged fiction, historical fiction, journalism, Reviews

Genres in Genres

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Helen Johnson
A range of genres on my bookcase

I’ve always enjoyed reading widely, never sticking to one genre, as you can see from this snapshot of one of my bookcases.  And now, as a reviewer for the Historical Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction, Journalism | Tagged fiction, historical fiction, journalism, Reviews

My Debut as a reviewer for Historical Novels Reviews

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Helen Johnson

I am delighted to announce my debut as a reviewer for the Historical Novels Society, a community of historical fiction lovers. The task proved not as easy as I’d imagined Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction, Journalism | Tagged 20th century history, fiction, historical fiction, journalism, Reviews, Women's history

Finish writing one novel, begin another.

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Helen Johnson
Yorkshire roses

Bladesmith After two years living with an 11th century teenager, I finished writing my novel of the Harrying of the North. Bladesmith tells of Gudrid, an 11th century Yorkshire blacksmith’s Continue Reading →

Posted in 11th Century, Fiction, Yorkshire | Tagged 11th century, fiction, historical fiction, The Great War, Yorkshire

The Harrying – Unimaginable

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Helen Johnson
Richmond Castle, founded shortly after the Harrying of the North, to control northern England.

Helen Johnson considers the unimaginable horror of the Harrying of the North – then writes a historical novel about it. Continue Reading →

Posted in 11th Century, History and Archaeology, Yorkshire | Tagged 11th century, historical fiction, History and Archaeology, Yorkshire

William the Conqueror’s Good Intentions

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Helen Johnson
William the Conqueror

The trauma of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England resonated for centuries.  But England had seen other invading kings – not least Cnut, only fifty years before.  What was different Continue Reading →

Posted in 11th Century, History and Archaeology, Yorkshire | Tagged 11th century, historical fiction, History and Archaeology

Historical Novel in Progress

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Helen Johnson
11th century re enactors

I completed the first draft of my historical novel this week.   The novel was was inspired by the many historians, re-enactors, museum curators and archaeologists I’ve met over the Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, historical fiction

‘1069’ Historical fiction novel in progress

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Helen Johnson
What was it like when soldiers came to 11th century York?

I am absolutely delighted that ‘1069’, my historical novel in progress has been selected for Writers’ Block North East 2017, a creative development programme.   Twenty writers will receive training Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged fiction, historical fiction

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