Fantasy and Historical Fiction: Where Do They Overlap? | GenCon 2023 full panel

Historical fiction has been an integral part of fantasy from the very start of the genre and remains a core influence in the works of many prominent fantasy authors. How are authors inspired by history in classic and current works? What are the pros, cons, and pitfalls of historical influence? Join our expert panel of fantasy writers as they discuss.

Panelists: LaShawn M. Wanak (moderator), Howard Andrew Jones, Diana M. Pho, Dedren Snead.

About Lord of a Shattered Land:

A vast empire's greatest foe. A conquered people's last hope. His name is Hanuvar, and he will set his people free!

The Dervan Empire has at last triumphed over Volanus, putting the great city to the torch, its treasures looted, temples defiled, and fields sown with salt. What little remains of Volanus is scattered across the empire, its treasures plundered and its survivors sold into slavery. It is an absolute victory for the Dervans in every way but one.

Hanuvar, last and greatest general of Volanus, still lives. He now travels the length of the Dervan Empire that conquered his homeland, driven by a singular purpose—to find what remains of his people who were carried into slavery across the empire, and free them from subjugation by any means necessary.

Against the might of a vast empire, he had only an aging sword arm, a lifetime of hard-won wisdom, and the greatest military mind in the world, set upon a single goal. No matter what the Empire musters against him, no matter what man or monster stands in his way, from the empire’s festering capital to its furthest outposts, Hanuvar would find his people, every last one of them.

And he would set them free.

https://www.baen.com/lord-of-a-shattered-land.html

About Howard Andrew Jones:

Howard Andrew Jones is the author of the critically acclaimed Ring-Sworn trilogy, and two historical Arabian fantasy novels. He was the driving force behind the rebirth of interest in Harold Lamb’s historical fiction, and assembled and edited eight collections of Lamb’s work for the University of Nebraska Press. He edits the sword-and-sorcery magazine Tales From the Magician’s Skull and served as Managing Editor of Black Gate magazine. He holds a third degree black belt in Shotokan karate and is studying for his fourth. He lurks at www.howardandrewjones.com, where he blogs about writing craft, gaming, fantasy and adventure fiction, and assorted nerdery.

About Baen Books:

Baen Books is known for its New York Times bestselling science fiction and fantasy, including David Weber’s Honor Harrington series, Eric Flint’s Ring of Fire alternate histories, Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter International urban fantasies, and Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan Saga. Baen’s physical books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, while their eBooks are sold via numerous venues, including the Baen website.

https://www.baen.com/