Historical fiction has long been one of my favorite genres to read, well before I started writing it, and the past couple of years have highlighted so many amazing, lesser-known women from history by incorporating their stories into wonderful novels.

For example, you might not know that in the 17th century, Judith Leyster was the first woman to enter the Haarlem painter’s guild, attaining master status alongside such luminaries as Rembrandt and Franz Hals. But you can read Carrie Callaghan’s excellent A LIGHT OF HER OWN to get a sense of Judith’s challenges and victories and walk away with a greater understanding.

Carrie’s new novel SALT THE SNOW (out now!) highlights the “trailblazing and liberated” Milly Bennett, one of the first female war correspondents, whose name and work should be far better known.

More on Carrie, today’s #read99women guest: Carrie Callaghan is a writer living in Maryland with her spouse, two young children, and two ridiculous cats. Her short fiction has appeared in Weave Magazine, The MacGuffin, Silk Road, Floodwall, and elsewhere. Carrie is also an editor and contributor with the Washington Independent Review of Books.

Carrie’s recommendation is THE WELL OF LONELINESS by Radclyffe Hall, and she’s got a great story to go with it:

“I first heard about this novel while reading the archived letters of Milly Bennett, the subject of my second novel. Milly was describing a charming cad whom she met on an oceanliner, and he had asked her what she was reading. ‘The Well of Loneliness,’ she answered him. ‘You wouldn't like it.’ So of course I had to know what book she knew this man wouldn't like! It turns out the novel was a groundbreaking story about a woman who loved women, and it was banned when it was first published in 1928. It's a fascinating work and an important window into the lives of queer women whose sacrifices and bravery helped to -- slowly -- change minds.”

Love it. Tune in tomorrow for another #read99women recommendation!