Well, there are quite a few. For example, Georgette Heyer. She is known for her Regency - era historical romances that are also a part of historical fiction. Her novels like 'Regency Buck' are full of the charm and social nuances of that time. Then there's Daphne du Maurier. Her 'Rebecca' is set in a large country house and has elements of mystery and historical context. Also, Elizabeth Chadwick writes about the medieval period in Britain, such as in her novel 'The Greatest Knight', which is based on the life of William Marshal.
There are several notable female authors of historical fiction. Diana Gabaldon is one. Her 'Outlander' series combines elements of historical Scotland with time - travel and romance. Ursula K. Le Guin, though also known for other genres, has written historical - inspired works. And Geraldine Brooks, with books like 'March', which gives a different perspective on the events of 'Little Women' from the absent father's point of view.
Jane Austen is extremely well - known. Her works like 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Sense and Sensibility' are classic historical British romance novels. Emily Brontë is also famous for 'Wuthering Heights'. Charlotte Brontë with 'Jane Eyre' is another notable author in this genre. Daphne du Maurier is known for 'Rebecca' which has elements of historical British romance.
Alistair MacLean is another famous author. His 'The Guns of Navarone' is a classic. He has a talent for creating tense and exciting military - themed stories, often set in World War II scenarios. His writing style is very vivid and action - packed.
Zadie Smith is a well - known author in New British Fiction. Her works often deal with issues of race, identity, and cultural clashes. Another one is Ian McEwan. His novels are known for their psychological depth and exploration of complex human relationships. Martin Amis is also a prominent figure, with his unique writing style that can be both satirical and deeply poignant.
Some well - known authors of historical fiction include James Michener. He wrote 'Hawaii', which gives a detailed account of the history of the Hawaiian islands. Margaret George is also notable. Her works, like 'The Memoirs of Cleopatra', bring historical figures to life. And then there's Bernard Cornwell, who has written a lot about different historical periods, such as his 'Sharpe' series set during the Napoleonic Wars.
Hilary Mantel is also a prominent contemporary female author of historical fiction. Her 'Wolf Hall' trilogy delves deep into the life of Thomas Cromwell during the Tudor era. Mantel's work is noted for its in - depth research and vivid portrayal of the historical setting.
One of the prominent British publishers of historical fiction is Bloomsbury Publishing. They are known for bringing out some high - quality historical novels. Additionally, Macmillan Publishers in the UK is also a significant player in publishing historical fiction. They have a long history of promoting works in this genre, with many classic and contemporary historical fictions in their catalogue.
J.K. Rowling is quite famous for her 'Harry Potter' series which has had a huge global impact. Ian McEwan is another well - known author, known for his complex and thought - provoking novels like 'Atonement'. Kazuo Ishiguro, although of Japanese origin but has been writing in the British literary context, is also renowned for works such as 'Never Let Me Go'.
Well, there's Ruth Rendell. She was a master of psychological crime fiction. Her stories often had a deep exploration of the human psyche. P. D. James is also famous. Her works are known for their elegant writing style and intricate plots. And of course, we can't forget about Minette Walters. Her novels are full of mystery and often deal with social issues in an interesting way.
There is also Olive Schreiner. She wrote short stories that were critical of certain aspects of colonialism. Her works often focused on the position of women in colonial society and how colonialism affected different genders. Additionally, George Orwell, though more famous for his novels, also wrote some short pieces related to the colonial experience. His works sometimes exposed the contradictions and hypocrisies within the colonial system.