Praising the novel as “masterfully capturing” the characters, the Historical Novel Society awarded THE COTILLION BRIGADE its coveted Editor’s Choice honor in the organization’s November 2021 issue of its quarterly magazine.

“Author Glen Craney masterfully captures the essence of Nannie and Hugh through dialogue and multilayered scenes foreshadowing how the story will end,” wrote HNS reviewer Linnea Tanner. “The story reflects the author’s impeccable research and passion for the subject.”

Tanner added that “The Cotillion Brigade will appeal to readers who enjoy reading poignant, character-driven Civil War stories that will resonate in their minds long after finishing them. Highly recommended.”

Last month, the book garnered another accolade, the Gold Medal Award from the Military Writers Society of America, which praised it as “historical fiction at its best [with] solid research combined with great storytelling.”

The Cotillion Brigade has remained on Amazon’s best-seller list for Civil War subcategory regimental history since its publication in March.

More about the book here.

The Military Writers Society of America, the nation’s premiere champion of military books and publishing, has awarded THE COTILLION BRIGADE its Gold Medal for Historical Fiction and placed it at the top of this year’s recommended reading list.

The MWSA described Craney’s newest release as “historical fiction at its best” with “solid research combined with great storytelling.”

THE COTILLION BRIGADE tells the Civil War story of the Nancy Harts of Georgia–the most famous female militia in American history–and the Union officer whose life they changed forever. The novel has been an Amazon #1 Bestseller in Civil War subcategory fiction for several months.

More about the MWSA Award can be found here:

The Military Writers Society of America, the nation’s premiere champion of military books and publishing, has placed THE COTILLION BRIGADE at the top of its recommended summer reading list.

The MWSA described Craney’s newest release as “historical fiction at its best” with “solid research combined with great storytelling.” The novel has been shortlisted for the Society’s Book of the Year Award, which will be announced in September of 2022.

THE COTILLION BRIGADE tells the Civil War story of the Nancy Harts of Georgia–the most famous female militia in American history–and the Union officer whose life they changed forever. The novel has been an Amazon #1 Bestseller in Civil War subcategory fiction for four months.

The partial list of recommended books:

I’ll be participating on three exciting new session panels during the upcoming North American Conference of the Historical Novel Society, which will be held remotely due to the COVID crisis. The HNS conferences are always very informative and great fun. If you plan to attend in June, mark your schedules for these events:

JUNE 25 (FRIDAY) 4:00-5:00PM (CT)

SAINTS, SEERS, AND HERETICS
Evoking the Spiritual World in Historical Fiction

Panel: Nancy Bilyeau, Glen Craney, Tinney S. Heath, Mitchell James Kaplan

Novels featuring religious figures risk veering between hagiography and fantasy. Yet the men and women of the past who laid siege to Heaven confronted enemies and perils no less dangerous than those met by statesmen and warriors. Our panelists will discuss the challenges in writing about the Ages of Faith, including: Building authentic interior worlds and describing mystical experiences; creating tension and drama in the monasteries and convents; romance story techniques for the divine relationship; using mysteries to convey theological disputes; mining literary criticism of sacred texts; and explaining ancient and medieval belief systems for modern readers.

JUNE 26 (SATURDAY) 1:30-2:30PM (CT)

TURNING THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The Tarot in Historical Fiction

Panel: Glen Craney, Jean Huets, Susan Wands

The Tarot recurs in historical fiction, from Italo Calvino’s Castle of Crossed Destinies to Margaret Atwood’s The Robber Bride. The first cards appeared in 15th-century Italy, but the deck’s origins may reach farther into the mists of time. Are these fascinating images—such as the Hanged Man, The Tower, and the Popess—more than just divination tools? Their allure and resonance with the past continue to provide rich source material. Our panelists will discuss derivation theories; esoteric influences; how Tarot readings build scenes and foreshadowing; the lives of famous Tarot artists; and insights into history’s most enigmatic art collection.

JUNE 27 (SUNDAY) 1:30-2:30PM (CT)

BATTLE FLAGS, FALLING MONUMENTS, AND THE LOST CAUSE MYTH
The Changing Landscape of Antebellum and Civil War Fiction

Panel: Elizabeth Bell, Glen Craney, Susan Higginbotham, Sadeqa Johnson

The past is never dead, wrote Faulkner: It’s not even past. Perhaps more so than any era in American history, the Civil War is viewed through the prism of current social and political divisions. Our panelists will discuss new challenges and opportunities in writing and selling novels set during this period. Topics will include: Creating empathetic Confederate protagonists for a woke readership; ramifications for book covers; balancing authenticity and sensitivity using racially-charged language; navigating the minefield of cultural appropriation; interpretations of slavery and the Underground Railroad by emerging African-American voices; and public expectations and the persistence of the states-rights narrative.

Read more about the HNS conference and schedule here.

I’ll be a moderator for three exciting new session panels during the upcoming North American Conference of the Historical Novel Society. The HNS conferences are always very informative and great fun. If you plan to attend in June, mark your schedules for these events

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. FRIDAY:

LANDSCAPES TURNED RED
The Pacifist’s Guide to Writing Authentic Battle Scenes.

Panelests: Paul Bennett, David Ebsworth, Jack Hight, Charlene Newcomb.
Moderator: Glen Craney

Do you dread writing that climactic chapter of bloody combat? Would you rather wage a duel of parlor wits or scheme intrigue in the royal courts? You are not alone. But to the fields of glory the armies must go, so gird your loins as these veterans of war fiction offer tips on creating authentic yet readable battle narratives, including juxtaposing homefront scenes to heighten the stakes, tempering the gore while maintaining the immediacy of threat; making military strategy personal to your characters; depicting the chaos without confusing the reader, and evoking the pace of action.
(Room: Woodrow Wilson C)

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. SATURDAY:

THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN’
Historical Fiction Joins the Protest March.

Panelists: Charles Degelman, Nicole Evelina, Diane C. McPhail
Moderator: Glen Craney

We live in tumultuous times. Reactionary forces that evoke dark memories of the world wars are on the rise again—and set against them, resistance and social justice movements. Why now? What lessons have we failed to learn? Are there similarities with these past conflicts? The historical novelist is particularly suited to set these developments in context and help readers understand the shifting social and demographic forces roiling our current political landscape. Join our panelists who have written about momentous social rights crusades for a lively and informative discussion about the march for justice that never ends.
(Room: Baltimore 4)

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. SATURDAY
READERS FESTIVAL SESSION

LAUNCHING AND SUSTAINING A SUCCESSFUL LOCAL HNS CHAPTER.

Panelists: Ana Brazil, Faith Justice, Judith Starkston
Moderator: Glen Craney

Do you wish you could enjoy on a more regular basis the camaraderie of fellow authors and readers of historical fiction? Since 2011, ten HNS chapters have been formed across the United States, but there remain many regions without chapters. If you feel inspired to start a chapter, or if you’d like to hear ideas on how to help your current chapter grow and flourish, this panel is for you. Panelists will share advice and tips from their experiences in helping administer their respective local chapters.
(Room: Annapolis 1&2)

Read more about the HNS conference here.

IndieBRAG, the respected champion and arbiter of quality indie publishing, has honored Glen Craney’s The Virgin of the Wind Rose as its most recent winner of the coveted Medallion award.

IndieBRAG judges are highly selective and must unanimously agree on a selection after conducting a months-long, rigorous assessment of submissions. Previous winners of the Medallion for historical fiction include such luminaries of the genre as Helen Hollick (managing editor of the Historical Novel Society), Steven McKay, Anna Belfrage, Derek Birks, Paula Lofting, Prue Batten, Katherine Ashe, and Jo Ann Butler.

Earlier this year, Books&Benches tabbed Craney’s historical dual-period thriller as a Scéal Mystery-Thriller Book-of-the-Year Finalist.

Critical praise for the novel:

“An impeccably researched, high-velocity historical thriller…. If you love Steve Berry, Dan Brown or Umberto Eco, you may have a new author favorite in Glen Craney.” — BestThrillers.com

“An exciting journey across time, with more twists and turns than a strawberry Twizzler. Craney has produced a page-turning adventure, with crisp, clean and measured prose… The research behind the stories is massive, lending credence to the cast of characters and authenticity to the historic periods. This is a highly recommended historical thriller in the manner of Dan Brown.” — Quarterdeck magazine

“[T]his book was compared favorably by other readers to the writings of Dan Brown… I jumped at the chance to see what the hype was about. I’m very glad I did… I stayed up all night to finish this great read and was left wanting more… Many times I will figure stories out early on, but this book keeps you guessing. Mr. Craney is a master of holding back and building the suspense. Though this is a fast-paced romp through history and time, you are still holding your breath… I’m hoping for a sequel.” — One Book Shy of a Full Shelf Reviews

“Five stars. Move over, Dan Brown, you’ve got competition.” — Sweet Mystery Books

More about the indieBRAG Medallion selection can be found here.

I’ll be participating at this year’s Historical Novel Society North American Conference on a panel discussion: New Historical Fiction on the War to End All Wars.

The session will help kick off the popular conference on Friday, June 23, at 8:00 am. Other panel members will include fellow authors Jennifer Robson and M.K. Tod. Literary agent Kevan Lyon will moderate.

Among other topics, I will be discussing my historical novel, The Yanks Are Starving: A Novel of the Bonus Army.

With the centenary remembrance of 1914-1918 now underway, historical novelists and publishers are offering fresh perspectives from the trenches and the home fronts. I and my fellow panel members will focus on novels set in the years before, during, and after World War I. We will also explore the sources and reasons for renewed reader interest in the period, and how the passage of a century has reshaped our understanding of that pivotal conflict.

Registration information and session schedule can be found here.

Review magazine Books & Benches has honored The Virgin of the Wind Rose: A Christopher Columbus Mystery-Thriller as one of four finalists for its Book-of-the-Year Award in the Mystery-Thriller category.

Winners will be announced the first week of April. More about the award can be found here.