The Historical Novel Society came to town for its bi-annual conference and I was there.

HNS2019 met in National Harbor, on the shores of the Potomac, June 20-22, bringing together historical writers of all stripes — Biblical, Civil War, ancient Rome, 1960s. We talked about everything from marketing to dancing a reel.The wonderful Dolen Perkins-Valdez  offered her own advice on writing historical fiction, as did Jeff Shaara, who told a wonderful story of walking the battlefields of Gettysburg with his author father Michael Shaara.

Here are a few scenes from my three days. So much to learn, so many people to meet.

Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of WENCH and BALM

A sample of the books I took home. I guess I’ve got my summer reading list!

Jeff Shaara, author of GODS AND GENERALS and so many more.

Not only does this lovely lady make Victorian jewelry, Leanna Renee Hieber writes Gothic novels.

DIVIDED LOYALTIES, on sale at the HNS bookstore.

I posed with Charles Carroll of Mount Clare and my “relative” Margaret Tilghman Carroll.

The authors of RIBBONS OF SCARLET introduce their book, coming out this fall.