Ideal for writers or would-be writers of historical fiction
CONFAB • Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • 1pm-2:15pm PST
Discover how to bring the past to life in your writing! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to research your historical fiction by asking the right questions: Whose story are you telling, and how do you strike the balance between fact and imagination while honoring real histories and avoiding cultural appropriation? We’ll explore how to dig into timelines, calendars, and concurrent events, as well as the rich details of language, slang, fashion, technology, and social hierarchies that make a time period leap off the page. You’ll see how setting becomes its own character, whether you’re using old maps, Google Street View, or even boots-on-the-ground site visits to capture the feel of a place. Together, we’ll look at practical research strategies, from reading widely to participating in reenactments, and discuss why historical fiction matters—how it connects us to our ancestors and to each other. By the end, you’ll have tools and inspiration to tap into your passion, tell your story with authenticity, and share your expertise in ways that engage readers, whether through novels, essays, or even social media.
The Sibyl Writing Craft courses are held via a private zoom link, allowing you to participate from anywhere.
You will receive your private Zoom link via email one week before the course.
A reminder email will be sent 24 hours prior to the course start time.
We will email any essential course materials, handouts, and recommended resources prior to the start of the course.
Learn how to research with purpose—from timelines, slang, and fashion to maps, site visits, and reenactments—so your historical world feels vivid and authentic
Discover whose story you’re telling and how to balance fact with imagination while honoring history and avoiding cultural appropriation
Find your voice as a historical storyteller by tapping into your passion, connecting the past to the present, and sharing your expertise through novels, essays, or even social media
Tuesday, February 17, 1pm-2:15pm
This session will give you the practical strategies you need to find the rich, vivid details that make a story leap off the page.
Bonus 25% Discount on Select Sibylline Press books and Sibyl Writing Craft Books!
A whiff of sulfur and witchcraft shadows this literary Puritan tale of loss and redemption, based on this best-selling historical fiction author's own ancestor, her seventh great-grandmother.
Students enrolled in any course will receive 25% off select Sibylline Press books and all Sibyl Writing Craft books.
Discount code will be sent with course enrollment confirmation
Sibyl Writing Craft offers two distinct types of courses. Learn about each below to help choose which is right for you.
A Confab is a focused 75-minute session led by one of our mentors. It’s an engaging, information-rich talk on a specific topic—like writing vivid characters, revising your manuscript, or understanding publishing. Confabs are designed to give you practical insights you can apply right away.
A Lab is a longer, hands-on course lasting three or more hours. Labs may take place in a single immersive day or unfold across multiple weeks. They’re designed for deeper exploration, interactive practice, and direct feedback from your mentor.
