Roaming blogging land I have come across numerous blogs about historical fiction. Some focus on a particular historical period, some reflect a given writer’s work, some review historical novels, some celebrate long ago authors. I hope A Writer of History can augment the conversation by focusing on the reading, writing and researching of historical fiction.
Along the way, I’ll post about the historical periods I’m researching, books I’ve read, and the occasional personal post. You can find out about my novels here or visit my author website.
If you’re a first time visitor you might be interested in a few of the most popular posts by category.
FAVOURITE HISTORICAL FICTION AUTHORS
- 2015 Favourite Historical Fiction Authors
- 2013 Favourite Historical Fiction Authors
- 2012 Favourite Historical Fiction Authors
- Top Ten Ingredients of Favourite Historical Fiction
HISTORICAL FICTION SURVEY RESULTS
- 2015 Historical Fiction Survey Results
- 2013 Historical Fiction Survey Results
- 2012 Historical Fiction Survey Results
- Historical Fiction – She Says, He Says
- Historical Fiction Would Be Better If …
FINDING & TALKING ABOUT BOOKS
- 10 Ways Social Readers are Changing the Reading Landscape
- Historical Fiction – Four Top Book Blogs
- 2013 Favourite reading related sites AND Favourite Reading Sites by category
- Where Readers Find Recommendations – Digital Sources
- Where Readers Find Recommendations – Non-Digital Sources
WWI & WWII
- WWI Fashion – A Time of Change
- WWI Trench Standing Orders
- Four Dimensions of Researching WWI
- Historical Fiction – WWI and WWII Favourites
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
- Sharon Kay Penman
- Elizabeth Chadwick
- Edward Rutherfurd
- Philippa Carr, Victoria Holt, Jean Plaidy
- Barbara Kyle
- Deanna Raybourn
- Helen Hollick
I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy A Writer of History and will add your comments along the way.
Love your blog!
Sincerely Stephanie Carroll
Thanks, Stephanie. Aiming to please 🙂
I’m delighted to have found your blog, Mary. My WIP is historical fiction set during WWI. I’ll be checking in with you often. And thanks for dropping in at my blog.
WWI – such a fascinating time. I would never have imagined being swept away with a period entrenched in war. If you have any suggestions for getting published, I would welcome them. Many thanks for your feedback.
I’ve been awfully slow to respond to this, haven’t I?! I have so enjoyed reading your posts. I independently published my memoir Growing Up Country. That’s been a good experience. When I began writing my novel, I anticipated looking for an agent and publisher – and who knows, I may still give that path a momentary nod – but I see even successful traditionally published authors publishing their own work these days. So I’m leaning to independent publishing again. email me at carolbodensteiner@ymail.com if you’d like to discuss this off line.
Hi! Where do I sign up to receive email alerts of your blog posts? Thanks
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Mary. My work-in-progress novel can be considered historical fiction since it deals with the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa and two devastating events, one in South Africa and the other in the US. But it’s also a blend of realism and magical realism. This project is my #2 priority, though, as I want to finish the creative writing guide that I’ve been working on this year first.
Your blog looks interesting and I’d love to come back and read all the posts but I don’t see a subscription area to join. I’ll get lost if I don’t subscribe I am afraid
Hi Brighid .. Thanks for your interest. I put a follow blog widget on the left hand sidebar … can you check there. Let me know if you still can’t find it.
Very interesting as my current PhD focus on some of the same things that you will cover here.
We should be in touch, tollykit! I’m very interested in the subject area, and might be able to offer you some data to consider.
That sounds like a very good idea. I’m also a member of the Historical Novel Society.
At the moment I am trying to analyse what I think two C16th annotators made of a C15th century text. But I hoping to move on to the modern historical fiction side of the PhD after that. Any help would be appreciated and of course acknowledged.
Just stumbled upon your site thanks to the HNS facebook page. My first book takes place in post-WWII Tokyo and is based on my grandmother’s time working there in MacArthur’s HQ. http://www.amazon.com/Crash-Hard-Water-Nichole-Louise-ebook/dp/B00ECY7PA8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434858153&sr=8-1&keywords=the+crash+of+hard+water
I’m delighted to have found your blog. I’m an Australian writer of Historical Fiction and a reader of multicultural historical fiction, always looking for that new insightful read. Your blog has some great lists of books.
So glad to be helpful, Ryn. Lots of stuff about historical fiction on the blog. Hope you find it useful and visit again.
Found your Blog listing in “Writer’s Digest”. I am working on my first Historical Novel set in France in the late 1500’s. This is book one of five books based on my mother’s family history dating from the late 1500’s, to the 1920’s in America. I’m reading for inspiration Gabaldon, C. Forester, Charles Dickens, Louis L’amour, Philippa Gregory and others. Any suggestions as I move through history of 1600’s in Canada, Exploration of the Mississippi, textile industry in New England, the California Gold Rush, and the roaring 20’s.
Hi Paul – thanks for your comment. You’ve chosen some great writers to investigate. You might consider Joseph Boyden for his novel The Orenda which is set in early 1700s Canada. Nothing comes to mind for your other topics except Rules of Civility by Amor Towles which is set in the 1930s – excellent writing. You might also want to check out authors like Edith Wharton to appreciate the style of writing and speech suitable for the 20s. You are undertaking a very ambitious scope! Wishing you good luck with it.
Thank you for the referrals. My family history has turned into a lot more than I had vision. But, I’m enjoying my writing journey from an an amateur to a serious writer of fiction. Wow, has my writing has improved over the past few moments. Your blog will be another tool to improve.
This is the best information on historical novels I have found yet. Do historical novels sell well?
Thanks for the compliment, Steve!! I’m so pleased you stopped by. Historical fiction sells very well – and is considered mainstream these days. Have a look at various lists for top fiction and you will find HF well represented. Are you a writer as well?
I just finished “Time & Regret” and very much enjoyed it. Ever since reading Pat Barkers WWI trilogy, “Birdsong” and several other historical novels, I’ve been interested in this genre. The added bonus of the mystery made your novel all the more compelling. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Many thanks for your feedback. Hearing from readers is a wonderful privilege.
I’m glad I found your blog, and I’m looking forward to following it! Now I will see if Rosemary Simpson’s The Seven Hills of Paradise is anyone’s favorite.
Is it your favourite?
I read it a long time ago, and I remember it as being very politically intriguing and intricate and seemingly in a class by itself (although I don’t read historical fiction all the time, so my basis for comparison is perhaps limited). I should re-read it, to see how it and I have borne the test of time.
Hi there
I am a history lover and anything to do with history has me engrossed,, the farther back te better. I especially enjoy reading how people lived, how new inventions changed the course of history as well as the intrigues of past rulers. Because of this, I have enjoyed also watching TV dramas like “Henry VII” and “Vikings.” Such stories lead me on to reading the real histories of these people and learning more about that era I know that the screen writers often take exaggerated liberty with the timeline, but that does not lessen my enjoyment. For a few weeks I am in love with the heroes and angry at the scoundrels. 😆😊😊
An author I have enjoyed reading immensely so that I am now a fan of her work is M.K. Hume. I have read her Merlin trilogy (my favourite ) and more . She writes so well that I can easily picture the rich scenes she describes. The journey through her books is so enjoyable that I do not hurry to reach the end, but I enjoy learning about each new chsracter in turn.
I am looking for more authors to discover and as will be referring to your blog often.
Best of luck .
Read THe ugly Renaissance by Lee.
I’m so lucky to see your blog, as I like to study history and your blog is a history book for me. I’ll focus on you. Thanks!
Many thanks, Barbara. I hope you find lots of interesting articles! If you’re looking for something in particular, let me know!
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily and #Reviewers – Tuesday 7th August 2018 – #Pirates with Mary Tod, #Writing with Deborah Jay and #Historical Review with Olga Nunez Miret | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life
Is this site updated? I see comments from 2012 and a list from 2015.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I post twice a week … looks like some of the static pages need updating. I hope you’ve had a look at the more recent posts, interviews, and survey data.