Helena Schrader's Historical Fiction

Dr. Helena P. Schrader is the author of 24 historical fiction and non-fiction works and the winner of more than 53 literary accolades. More than 34,000 copies of her books have been sold. For a complete list of her books and awards see: http://helenapschrader.com

For readers tired of clichés and cartoons, award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader offers nuanced insight into historical events and figures based on sound research and an understanding of human nature. Her complex and engaging characters bring history back to life as a means to better understand ourselves.

Monday, September 30, 2019

"Rebels" takes Gold, "A Song for Sparta" goes to Publisher

Rebels against Tyranny 


won First Place (Gold) in the 2019 Readers Favorites Book Award Contest in the category Christian Historical Fiction. (For details visit: https://readersfavorite.com/2019-award-contest-winners.htm) 

The Emperor Strikes Back received three five-star awards from the same source.

In addition, Rhonda Shore completed the editing of my manuscript for A Song for Sparta, which was then forwarded to Wheatmark for publication. 

Based on an incident recorded in Herodotus, A Song for Sparta tells the remarkable story of Sparta’s struggle with Messenia in the 7th century BC through the eyes of three different narrators. The Messenian Wars were the transformative event that shaped Spartan society for the next four hundred years. 



The cover is by Hazel Horne. It was a delight working with Hazel and I hope to work with her again in the future.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Sparta Rising!

Maybe it was because August is the anniversary month for Thermopylae. Maybe it was just the way things worked out, but August 2019 was brought two important milestones for my Sparta novels.

Most important, I have signed a contract with the Greek firm Alpha Publishers for the release of A Heroic King in Greek by May 2020. The translation is under way, and a PhD candidate in ancient Greek history will look over the manuscript as well to ensure nothing gets lost in translation. The exact timing of the book launch is TBD, but the publisher expects to participate in and capitalize on events commemorating the 2,500th aniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae at Lamia (near the battle site), Athens, Thespeia, and Sparta. He wants me to participate in all of those. I need to step up my Greek studies!




Although less spectacular and significant, readers of English may be more interested to know that I spent the past month re-working my old manuscript "Are They Singing in Sparta?" in preparation for a ebook release under the new title "A Song for Sparta." I've engaged a graphic designer to develop a new cover for the book, and hope to have it on the market by late October or early November.